The last two albums of Norwegian prog metallers Leprous, Aphelion (2021, see review) and Pitfalls (2019, see review), were 100% formidable albums and ended exceedingly high in my top ten album list of those years. Aphelion was probably their most diverse album so far but after a couple of spins of Melodies Of Atonement I can honestly say that the Norwegians eighth studio album is quite different as the ten new songs are straighter to the point and they have lots of electronic elements. The opening track Silently Walking Alone is packed with heavy electronica, very expressive vocals, Elnar Solberg shines here like never before, and an almost addictive powerful chorus; what a way to open an album indeed! Follow up Atonement, being the first single, is more guitar-oriented and sounds definitely heavier that the opener, again an impressive song. And so, after two songs I was already "addicted," and the best was yet to come. Like A Sunken Ship, starts with a bass guitar hook and those typical falsetto vocals of Solberg and the last minutes of this dark song Solberg lets out his "anger" with screaming and grunting vocals, be aware as this is very heavy and almost frightening! Faceless, the longest track of the album, again opens with a bass groove, piano and cool vocals and it is kind of a sad song where Solberg's unmistakable voice shines and gives this track a true extra dimension. Self- Satisfied Lullaby, great title by the way indeed, is the next highlight, a true powerful song and one of my favourites of this album, check it out and play it LOUD!! Finally, Unfree My Soul, ends this fantastic album, and this one is again a very emotional track with Solberg's vocals at his peak, goosebumps indeed, what a way to end an album! Leprous did it again and Melodies Of Atonement is a MUST have album indeed as all the songs are catchy, vibrant, calm, melancholic and addictive as hell. Memorable tracks: Silently Walking Alone, Like A Sunken Ship and Self-Satisfied Lullaby! ****+ Martien Koolen (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen) Where to buy? |
