MIDNATTSOL

The Aftermath NAPALM Norway’s symphonic metallers get their sister act together

A lot has happened in the seven years since Midnattsol’s last album, The Metamorphosis Melody. Most notably, much-loved, ex-Leaves’ Eyes/Theatre Of Tragedy chanteuse Liv Kristine has joined her sister Carmen

Elise Espenaes on vocals. Her presence has lifted the band into something that, with a bit more time, could become pretty special. Although the Norwegian metallers have been classified as symphonic folk, they’ve never really gone all out on the histrionics. The Aftermath focuses on the band’s gothic and Nordic folk influences, allowing space for the sisters’ haunting vocal symbiosis to take hold on earthy and subtly atmospheric songs

like Herr Mannelig and Vem Kan Segla. Not everything hits the spot – The Unveiled Truth is especially unremarkable – but if Midnattsol weren’t already on the radar of Within Temptation and Amberian Dawn fans, they certainly will be now. FOR FANS OF: WITHIN TEMPTATION, AMBERIAN DAWN, LEAVES’ EYES