Imperia – The Last Horizon
Imperia released their latest album, The Last Horizon on March 26, 2021. I missed the release build-up, but found the release later. I am so happy I did. Like Phantom Elite, Imperia has been a wonderful find, after the lost year of the 2020 pandemic. The Last Horizon is Imperia’s sixth album.
Imperia is a European symphonic metal band with a female lead vocalist who can rock and provide melody like few in the genre can. Imperia started in 2004, and they are made up of: Helena Iren Michaelsen, on lead vocals; Jan Örkki Yrlund, on guitars; Merijn Mol, on drums; and Gerry Verstreken, on bass.
The Last Horizon was a wonderful find. Every song has its spectacular moments. Every song is full of power guitar, bass and drums, with high atmospherics and Michaelsen’s Tarja – like vocals. Tarja Turunen is much more pronounced and elegant, but Michaelsen’s voice mirrors Tarja’s on some of the best songs.
My favorite songs are: the powerful opener, “Dream Away”; the throated and powerful vocal of “Starlight”; and my favorite: “To Valhalla I Ride”, which is a fantastic fight/march song, and a nice tip of the hat to Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song”. Michaelsen’s vocals mirror Tarja’s vocals so well on this track.
“Flower and the Sea”, features Michaelsen’s siren like vocals, along with wonderful atmospherics. A great song, indeed. “While I am Still Here”, is a sad, and powerful track that reminds you to live for the moment and appreciate everything in it. “Only a Dream”, picks up where “Dream Away” left off, only with more beautiful piano at the opening.
“Where are You Now” has wonderful strings and some of Michaelsen’s most feminine vocal sounds. “I Still Remember”, is a sad but epic song that will touch you with emotion.
“Dancing”, is a fun drum – beat song that may have you up on your feet, dancing. Foot-tapping is essential.
“My Other Half”, has a very cinematic/opera feel to it. Michaelsen proves she has the voice for a full opera on this track. Very regal, indeed.
“One Day” and “I Send You My Love” are beautiful love songs set to piano and atmospherics.
I am a huge fan of piano and “Let Down” is the perfect closer.
I am so happy I finally have heard this band. I will look for their future releases now that I have found them. This is an excellent album. I will have to go back and listen to their other five albums in due time. I can say that I have truly found few female – fronted symphonic metal bands left that reach this level of creativity and excellence. Please give this album a chance. You will not regret it.
Track List
- Dream Away
- Starlight
- To Valhalla I Ride
- Flower And The Sea
- Blindfolded
- While I Am Still Here
- Only A Dream
- Where Are You Now
- I Still Remember
- Dancing
- My Other Half
- One Day
- I Send You My Love
- Let Down (Piano Version)
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