elize ryd

As a fan of female vocals, I am always interested in learning more about how women contribute to Metal. Not Just Tits In a Corset should be revered as a “game changing” book, as so many front women in the book strive to utterly destroy stereotypes about women in metal. Doro Pesch and author Jillian Hughes Kirtland went to great lengths to create this book, that’s obvious from the great quality. The book is truly a celebration of how far Metal as come with gender equality, but also how much it still needs to be progressed. The book features the best vocalists and instrumentalists from all over the world, candidly discussing their personal accounts and stories about being in Metal as a woman. It features vocalists and instrumentalists Cristina Scabbia, Charlotte Wessels, Morgan Lander, Alissa White Gluz, Angela Gossow, Anneke Van Giersbergen, Maria Brink, Lzzy Hale, Elize Ryd, Floor Jansen, Tarja Turunen, Simone Simons, Lita Ford, and so many more incredible talents. Each account in the book from the contributing musicians is inspiring, intelligent, and honest. The words written in this book are incredibly powerful and reflect the power these incredible artists have on and off the stage.

Not Just Tits In a Corset deserves to be globally revered and a multi targeted book, as a guide and as a testament to how society is still not handling gender equality correctly. This book’s message is so perfectly clear and accessible to anyone, not just Metal fans or aspiring young women. This book has changed the way I will go about reviews on this website. “Female Metal” is not a genre and I honestly feel mislead by other review sites and record companies. Women in Metal are still a minority, but the amount is rapidly growing as the trailblazers in this book have inspired so many. One day, I hope the message of this book is spread throughout all areas of society and not just music. If you want this change or even don’t want this change, read Not Just Tits In a Corset. It will inspire you, no matter who you are.

Insight to the Brand New Energetic Album from Amaranthe

Gothenburg multi genre group, Amaranthe, are famous for powerful and catchy hooks and pummeling riffs. They create a new and fresh sound on every album that cannot be heard from any band in the world. Jake E, the birther and lead male vocalist, has created an A Team of brilliant and passionate musicians, bursting with personality through every line of music. Elize Ryd provides mesmerizing and unendlessly powerful vocals with a poppy upbeat sound, pairing well with Jake E’s Power and Theatrical vocals. Olof provides masterful riffing and ragingly dynamic solos, bringing the true Gothenburg sound to Amaranthe. Henrik is the new comer, providing chest growls and intensity, contrasting with Elize’s sweetness and Jake E’s theatrics. Johan pulls the whole rhythm section together with low booming, hard hitting bass lines that blend in perfectly with the music. Morten provides heavy perfectly timed drumming, combining with the added beats perfectly. Every member comes together for a smashingly addictive tight sound, a sound I’ve never heard before. Amaranthe brilliantly combines melodic metal and pop, perfectly layered under three completely unique vocalists. No other group in the world can master the mix Amaranthe has created with utter soaring passion. Amaranthe will continue this journey of power as their third album, Massive Addictive, brings them to the top of European Metal.

Massive Addictive is an absolutely perfect title for Amaranthe’s new album, as every track is an ear worm of brilliance. Every track is roaring and raging with huge sound, exploding and encompassing every sense. This album is everything Amaranthe is, turned up to a legendary level of pure chest pounding power. The hooks and beats are perfect and energetic, making you want to jump on the nearest desk and dance. The heaviness makes you feel that adrenaline rush of a full raging pit at a concert, simply just through your home stereo. The vocals are performed with incredible ease and mastery, but also a passion that is unparalleled. The dubstep and synths are used heavily, but contrasted with smashing drums and guitars for a perfect mix. The sound is overwhelming and the layers are plentiful. Massive Addictive has succeeded all expectations and muted every negative thing ever said about this band’s music. It is purely incredible.

Massive Addictive opens with an uplifting power track, Dynamite, that fits Amaranthe’s inspiring themes and explosive energy. The chorus and verses are catchy and powerful, like “The Nexus”, injected with adrenaline. Right away Massive Addictive pulls you in with purely tantalizing and mesmerizing power from every vocalist and every instrument. Drop Dead Cynical, the lead single, provides fast paced rhythmic epicness, bound to repeat in your head upon first listen. Jake E and Elize’s attitudinal vocals on Drop Dead Cynical what really pull you in on this particular track, as well as sick riffage from Olof. This song is definitely the perfect mix of heavy metal and pop beats. Trinity is a blazing rhythmic breakdown track, with all three vocalists having equal parts throughout the song. It is inspiring and uplifting, providing an anthem that begged to be written all along. Elize’s innocent and sultry vocals on this song rival “Amaranthine”. The title track off the album, Massive Addictive, encompassess the main meaning of the name, building up into a heavy punching hook. They really put everything they had in their hearts, minds, and talents into this entire album, and it impresses more and more with every song.

Digital World is a revolutionary new age metal track that touches on the world’s obsession with technology. It is one of the heaviest tracks on the album, making it a true hit and gem. The chorus is a new level of catchy with perfectly harmonized vocals from the clean singers. I also enjoyed Henrik’s opening lines on each verse. The bridge is a highlight of Amaranthe’s pummeling and heavy side. Digital World proves Massive Additive is Amaranthe’s heaviest album yet and that their dynamic sound can keep growing and expanding. True is a slow mesmerizing power ballad with brilliant harmonizing and a beautiful piano track under the millions of layers. Elize’s vocals shine on this song, showing masterful control and a range that can lift you off your feet. True is Amaranthe’s best ballad yet. True is stunning, beautiful and inspiring, as well as innocent. Unreal lets each vocalist shine perfectly with a rhythmic groundbreaking track, suiting well to fighting movies and video games. Olof’s solos get better and better with each track, Unreal containing a Van Halen and classic rock sound. I knew Olof was underrated as a guitarist, but this album proves he deserves to be on the short list for best guitarist. Over and Done is a personal and soft track, a true brilliant power ballad of man and women versus the world. It pulls the listener in better than any track Amaranthe has ever created. The innocence of Over and Done is so addictive.

Danger Zone puts listeners back on their feet with an adrenaline rushed and aggression filled track, Henrik setting the tone with chest rattling growls atop technical instrumentation. Danger Zone is the most metal themed track on the album, also containing a screaming and shredding guitar solo. Elize also puts her two cents in with an incredible high note in the bridge, as well as background vocals containing masterful and flowing runs. Skyline shows Amaranthe can soar through the atmosphere with limitless dynamics and technicality. This track also has a solo that captures my attention as it is one of the longest guitar solos from the band. The bridge is purely instrumental, allowing your ears a break from the captivating vocals, showing true musicianship. Massive Addictive speeds up with pocket riding track, An Ordinary Abnormality, perfectly rhyming in this epic Power metal track. Morten shows his speed and change up skills on this track, with insanely technical and hard hitting drum beats that are front and center. This is one of the best instrumentally written tracks Amaranthe has ever done. The album suddenly closes with the innocent and driving track, Exhale, showing the honest and passionate side of Amaranthe beautifully. Exhale is the perfect closing track, as you let the album flow through you like an intense action filled movie.

Massive Addictive is the best of Amaranthe’s talents yet, as the band continues to find themselves in the ever changing world of music. Amaranthe has created something unique, something tantalizing, and something you just have to hear to believe with this latest album. Their music has always been hard to put in one genre to describe it, but now I just see their music as indescribable. Every aspect, every layer, every piece of this album sounds perfectly executed and produced. Massive Addictive also gives each member a chance to shine. Passed albums Elize tended to dominate with power. Now, Amaranthe are as tight and as talented as ever. Upon three listens, you may realize the album is truly addictive. I cannot get enough of Amaranthe or their new album, Massive Addictive.

Rating 9/10 Massive Addictive is Amaranthe’s most solid album yet and is hands down in my top 5 of best metal albums of 2014.

Official Website: http://www.amaranthe.se/

Drop Dead Cynical Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdyExxpd3Pg

Trinity Lyric Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2e_3ZnJcTE