Aria Blake – As Night Descends | Progressive Rock Central.com

Aria Blake is another new female fronted metal band that I found this year, that I am very happy to introduce to everyone. No, she is not the female wrestler, but yes, Aria Blake is a German/French, female-fronted metal band, who have released their debut EP, As Night Descends, independently on September 26^th of this year.

The band members include, Vincent Camacho, on bass; Eric Palumbo, on drums; Tanya Stanishich, on lead vocals; and Willdric Lievin and Pierre Deprugney, on guitars. Most of the band members come from France, while the lead singer, Tanya Stanishich, is a Canadian, living in Germany.

The first released single by Aria Blake is a duet “As Night Descends,” that features Ambre Vourvahis of Xandria. That is a very good way to start off, and to be introduced. Ambre has an incredible voice, and her name has immediate recognition throughout the metal and female-fronted metal global landscape.

“Stabat Mater Dolorosa” is the second single released by the band, which features Roland Grapow, of Masterplan and Ex-Helloween, on the solo guitar.

The band plans to follow this EP release with a full album release titled, The Haunting of Scarlet Falls. The EP follows the synopsis of the full album, The Haunting of Scarlet Falls, giving everyone a taste of what will come when the album is released. The scene begins “in a fictional region of England in 1945. Aria, is a 12-year-old girl, who is admitted to a boarding school for girls after her mother, who claimed to be able to see and communicate with the dead, has been found dancing naked on the grave of her husband, with whom she claims to still be in a relationship. The boarding school is called Scarlet Falls, according to the scarlet fountain behind it, which is actually ferruginous water colored by a reddish sediment when it gushes. Some say that the spring is actually the blood of the children who died at Scarlet Falls. The institution is run by stern nuns led by the terrible Mater Dolorosa, so called for her ruthlessness. Aria befriends Lilly, another resident, who tells her at bedtime that every week a girl disappears. Aria has nightmares about it. Aria discovered shortly before her admission that she had the same gift as her mother, who was not crazy. The teenager meets the spirits haunting Scarlet Falls with dread. When Lilly disappears to, Aria decides to escape with the survivors. But in order to do so, she has to discover the horrible secret hidden behind the walls. At the same time, Aria’s mother dies in her asylum room, persecuted by her demons.”

And so the music for this fateful story begins: “As Night Descends,” is the EP opener, and it is full of eerie background programming and orchestration, along with choirs singing. The power drums, electric metal guitars, bass, and orchestrations build a frightening soundscape. Then, Tanya Stanishich opens, singing the lyrics of the song, to the world. Ambre Vourvahis, joins her, and it is like magic. It is as if, Aria and Lilly are brought to life via music. Over 10 minutes of power metal rock and two fantastic female vocalists. The soundscape organs and orchestration definitely builds a Halloween – like presence for this compelling story. No growling necessary when you have two of the best female voices in metal. Two women with high notes that do not pierce the eardrum. They lay out the story well, amidst the powerful music surrounding them.

“The Haunting of Scarlet Falls,” will be the album title and it is full of more great music. It opens with vocal incantations from Tanya Stanishich, who has a wonderful voice. The dark metal soundscape rebuilds quickly, this time including piano and more choirs. The drumming is central and builds the soundscape, like into a roaring fire. Orchestration is everywhere, like Dream Theater on power drive. Tanya Stanishich, sounds a little like Ambre, and she continues to sing in her natural voice without any growling. It is a great continuation of the consistency achieved on the last track. Tanya Stanishich describes the boarding school well, not sparing any of the dark details, as the soundscape rocks on. Eleven minutes of superb metal symphonic music.

“One By One,” opens with strings, bass, drums, keyboards, choirs, and lead electric guitar. The orchestration is immaculate. Tanya Stanishich sings in a higher key, but it sounds magnificent! Another sad part of the story, and Tanya’s voice echoes with the pain of the moment. Great power metal music to fill your day. Over 11 minutes of symphonic metal.

“Sabat Mater Dolorosa,” is the final track on the EP. It, again, is a very sad song. Orchestration, choirs, and very powerful drums open this song. The galloping drums and lead electric guitars take off into the wild. Tanya Stanishich sings the story of Mater Dolorosa, while Roland Grapow grinds his electric metal guitar into the soundscape. The band sent me most of the story, and it is very sad, but ends well. I will not give out any spoilers here. Originally though, the hymn, “The Stabat Mater,” is a 13th-century Christian hymn to the Virgin Mary that portrays her suffering as mother during the crucifixion of her son Jesus Christ.

I would recommend, Aria Blake’s As Night Descends EP, for anyone who likes female-fronted metal symphonic music. Or symphonic metal like Dream Theater or Opeth. It is deep and dark, but full of expert musicianship, well-planned orchestration and of course Tanya Stanishich’s voice. The story is sad, but the conclusion will make the difficult parts of this story, worth the journey. Aria Blake is a good, new band with different sounds that you should give a listen and a chance to be heard.