Review of Martyrs EP at Metal Discovery
Metal Discovery, a webzine about “Metal Discovery and Re-discovery” has reviewed our debut EP Martyrs:
Formed in Spring 2006, Dremora are a two person project from LA in the States featuring Brazilian vocalist Juliana Novo and the multi-talented Thomas Kampert on drums, guitar, keyboards and some vocals too. Their self-released debut EP, ‘Martyrs’, consists of four tracks written by Kampert, and performed by himself and Novo with lead guitar on ‘Martyrs and Madmen’ by someone credited simply as ‘Andrew’. One of the more professional looking self-released CDs I’ve seen, the EP is housed in glossy digipack packaging although, if I’m being brutally honest, the cover image does look slightly tacky. So what of the music? Opening track ‘Alone’ reminds me of mid-era Paradise Lost with an ambient piano intro leading into epic sounding keyboard melodies underlayed with distorted non-riffing guitar chords that ring out before Novo’s rock-operatic vocals begin. The Brazilian singer has a powerful voice, and while she lacks the vocal range of, say, Tarja Turunen, still manages to deliver efficacious singing over the music. Next is ‘Martyrs and Madmen’, a more guitar riff based composition, and then ‘Fair Haven’ which has echoes of Epica’s ‘Quietus’ with its folk-thrash essence giving way to down-tempo palm-muted guitar riffs and Kampert’s effective death growls. The concluding track, Transcending God’ is a skilfully composed instrumental piece that serves as an atmospheric climax to a generally satisfying listen. Comparisons to every other female fronted symphonic goth metal band would be obvious, but Dremora, while influenced by the likes of Epica, After Forever, Nightwish etc, manage to convey a degree of originality through their music. Currently searching for a lead guitarist, bassist, and keyboard player, it seems they are set to become a fully fledged band, and will certainly be worth checking out again in the future. Although far from a masterpiece, ‘Martyrs’ is still a mightily impressive debut.
Rated 7.5/10
Review by Mark Holmes
Source: http://www.metal-discovery.com/CD/cd_review_dremora_martyrs.htm
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