Austrian Italian Tyrolean melodic metal meisters, Feline Melinda go right back to 1986, growing from a trio, to a quartet, in 2014.
With a long history of releases, stretching back to 1988, FM now bring you their current album, ‘Seven’.
As upbeat, contagious and riff driven as ever, ‘Seven’ also features enough variety to sustain the spice.
A self-release, ‘Seven’ embodies their mission, of keeping it real and non-conformist.
Featured single, ‘Seventh Heaven’ comes with an accompanying video; having evolved, from a duet, to a collaborative trio, featuring guest vocalist, Doris Albenberger.
‘Seven’ was produced by Sascha Paeth (Masters Of Ceremony, Tobias Sammet’s Avantasia).
Doris also features on ‘Before The Dawn’, as does Francesco Pinter, who also plays the solo, on ‘Black Sun’.
‘Seven’ is now available, on Digi pack CD, digital and streaming formats.
FM is:
Rob Irbiz (vocals), Chris Platzer (drums), Headmatt (rhythm and lead guitar) and Gschnell (bass).
Welcome To The Show – Full impact hit of metal gold, at the outset). Classic melodic power. Tip-top production. Catchy, dizzying riffs; strong, confident vocals; infectious rhythms; the perfect package. Tumbling, rolling, towering rhythmic movements, all the way, sealed with powerful anthemic flavour. That’s how to create a classic).
Blinded By The Beauty – Steering right into the skid, at the intro, with zero hesitation). An epic theme enters, here. Lively and energetic, with plenty of colour. Contagion hits, invading every note. Drums reinforcing that irresistible fervour. Smooth, from start to finish, steering, sleekly, into that final skid).
In The Shadow Of The Moon – Feedback reverb riff opening and straight into full frontal speed. That European vocal tinge just strengthens it, further. Well chosen lyrics. Pumping percussive power. Just relentless rhythms, joyfully delivered. Pouring metallic rain. Sharp, sexy and searing, till the end).
Can You Feel My Eyes On You – Laying down the law, from the first, with those energised, powerful riffs. Great lyrics, again. This has classic hit written all over it. Electrifying riffage. Catchy choruses; power-stacked, to the nines. Perfect vocal symmetry. Yet another sleekly executed ending).
Seventh Heaven – Opening with a beautiful piano movement, then steering it right back into another traditional power metal refrain. So smoothly vocalised. Injecting more of that irresistibly delicious contagion into every beat. You’ll join in with that chorus, till the last.
Jolly Joker – Active drum rolls intro, refreshing the bounce factor. A real upbeat feel to this, with uniquely fresh lyrical themes. As powerful as the rest, with a wildcard emphasis, finishing on triangle hits and a sense of happy mystique.
Black Sun – Sharp, slick intro riff. Expanding the sound, outwards. Pointed percussion, emphasising the point. Exuberant vocals, conveying authentic joy. More of that inherent contagious catch. Piano section, after the bridge, before the riff harmony; interweaving with it, till those exultant vocals follow. Leading, smoothly, into the end.
She’s Like A Thunderstorm – Opening with a driven, motorbike engine-like force. The rhythms connect, completely, with the rest. Memorable lyrics; highly catchy choruses. Speed sustained, throughout, throwing out that feel-good atmosphere. Taking it right up to the top, all the way to the very end.
Higher – Intro’ing a slight symphonic aspect, here, overtaken by speed, without losing the strength of the symphony. A theatrical theme enters; dramatically conveyed. Always, the melody’s central. Such skilful riffage and vocal panache. Fading out, smoothly.
More Than Ever – Banging opening. Right into the fray, once more. Speeding rhythms, intensely conveyed. Vocals staying strong and heartfelt. Such melodic, upbeat drive. Charged with electric fire; blazing along, right till the end.
Before The Dawn – A soft ballad, now, filled with just as much authenticity and passion. So much feeling and purity of heart sings through each and every note. Guitars singing and screaming to you, meeting the lyrical essence, right in the middle. A gorgeous riff solo completes the track.
Overall – Words can’t possibly do this album justice. ‘Seven’s one of those productions so incredibly and indelibly imprinted with signature style, so skilfully and authentically perfected as to lie beyond description. It’s majestically metallic mastery’s literally too good for words. So just listen and be captivated.
10/10 **********
For fans of Silent Winter, Judas Priest, Ice Sword, Ice War, Avantasia, Trivium, Reign Of Fury.
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