Album Review: Amaranthe – Maximalism

Are you ready to be challenged? A bit of forewarning, you’re going to be caught offguard and I promise you won’t be the same if you come out walking from this. 

Amaranthe: Breaking Point – B-Sides 2011-2015

Since day one, Amaranthe have been a non-stop force to be reckoned with. From having released a handful of albums in their short career to touring worldwide, multi-million views online and more the group is ready to release a different side to them than we are usually used to see. Taking a trip into the Amaranthe vault, giving dedicated and new fans a unique perspective of the group, they will be releasing a digital available only album titled, Breaking Point: B-Sides 2011-2015. The album includes six acoustic versions of tracks they’ve released as well as two studio tracks that were bonuses on their debut album. Most artists have recorded other versions of tracks in the past and luckily for us, Amaranthe has chosen to release these exclusive tracks to the metal community. This should be a great feast for us the fans.

The set-list of acoustic tracks include, Hunger, Afterlife, Amaranthine, Burn With Me, Trinity and True. As mentioned, these tracks are all exclusively acoustic and I can honestly say that after listening to the album, I have a more appreciative gratitude for acoustic versions. Normally I would have tuned out or skipped the track but the group has formulated the right ingredients for perfect acoustic tracks. No, they have not taken the vocal tracks off their songs and layed them on the acoustic versions, this is the real deal. Unique vocals from lead man and woman, Jake E and Elize Ryd push the album into a whole other spectrum. Unfortunately lead screamer, Henrik Englund is absent from the acoustic tracks, meanwhile former member/screamer Andreas Solveström, is obviously featured on the regular studio tracks as they were present on the debut album.

A few favorites include Amaranthine, Burn With Me, Trinity and True. One common element/theme with all of these songs is that they have a very ballad feel to them, so it makes sense why they sound so profound on an acoustic level. Other instruments are added to many of these tracks such as piano, accordians, violins, among other strings and more. Trinity has an eargasmic and unforgettable acoustic solo later on. Both vocals from Jake and Elize beautifully intertwine at various points on the album to create magnificent melodies and unimaginative vocal ranges.

Being an acoustic dominated album, there isn’t a whole lot an artist can do. I would say that those who are already fans of the group would be the ones to support the album. Perhaps fans outside of the metal genre who don’t even touch the genre might appreciate the albums or at least a song or two. Nonetheless, the album does appease. The group is set to kickoff a North American tour in the next few days so get your tickets while you still can. Amaranthe continue to release new music and surprise the metal community with every action they take. I am anxious to hear the next set of news they drop on us. You know it will be worthwhile. Stay Metal m/

Breaking Point: 9.5/10

Official Website: https://www.amaranthe.se
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmarantheBand
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Amaranthemetal

Amaranthe – Massive Addictive

Amaranthe have been around for a handful of years, and within those years, they’ve been making massive impacts in the industry. I’ve been anticipating this album for a good portion of the year, and now that it’s released, it is time to dive into Amaranthe’s third album, Massive Addictive. The title is aptly described as such, one heavy, catchy album whose melodies and choruses are inescapable from ones mind. Each track brings it own form of catchiness, as there are twelve, full-length tracks revolving around many topics within a world that is entirely their own. In my opinion, this album is different than their previous two albums, and the elements of electronics and keys are heavily present on this one. This is the first album with new third lead vocalist, Henrik Englund Wilhelmsson, as former screamer, Andreas Solvestrom departed at the end of last year. Like I said, their short lifespan as a band as been one epic adventure, I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen a band that has achieved so much in their little lifetime. After hearing this album, my stance on Amaranthe has not changed, for they are a great band with some of the best lyrics I’ve ever listened to.

[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2e_3ZnJcTE[/tube]

The opener, Dynamite, is a heavy one, and later on catchy. I will probably be using that word a lot for this album, “catchy.” Theres a significant amount of time to headbang, as the group follows the same time signature of semi-technical rhythms. If you didn’t check out the first single, Drop Dead Cynical, that’s alright as I put the video here for you. It’s heavy, it’s groovy, it’s catchy, it’s an anthem, a simplistic track to get the adrenaline rushing along. Trinity, is a more intimate song that drives optimism and hope to the listener. While it gets extremely heavy at one point, the majority of the track carries a special melodic essence that is mind boggling. The title track of the album, Massive Addictive, pretty much stays low key throughout. This was one of the other tracks that found itself creeping into my mind randomly throughout my days.

If you like power anthems with a kickass tune, Digital World, is an amazing track. Straight out of a Sci-fi film, the track speaks of a digital world where the future is sold, we can never die or grow old. Perhaps our conscience will be programmed into a network one day in the future? Who knows, I’d rather not. The breakdown is intense, this track is absolutely livid. As it’s been a constant feature with the previous two albums, this one also includes a ballad. The track titled, True, covers a typical theme of love and passion. Compared to their other ballads on the other albums, this ballad wasn’t too strong. I was hoping for some eargasmic guitar emotion, oh well, no biggie. My current favorite track out of the whole album, as I haven’t abused the hell out of the replay/loop option, is the track Skyline. It’s melody and harmonics are eargasmic. Jake sings a catchy chorus, that is familiar but original. It’s almost as energetic as Digital World, just a notch lower. Overall, another adrenaline rush of a song. The album ends with a song I thought was pretty average. Titled, Exhale, it is also along the catchy blend of tunes, I did not find myself latching on to this track strongly, as I did with many of the other ones, therefore the ending was average.

[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdyExxpd3Pg[/tube]

Overall, an album with high expectations, I was let down just a tiny bit. The last few tracks, aside from Skyline, were not too strong compared to the first half, which is intense and heavy. In my opinion, their previous album, The Nexus, is better. Perhaps they should stick to heavier sets of songs, as the slower ones weren’t too enticing. Nonetheless, the album was not too shabby, and I had to be honest with my scoring, as much as a fan of the group I am. The group is currently about to kickoff a very short headlining tour in the states, then the rest of the world after this month. My final thoughts on this album…..not as strong as The Nexus, but still decent, electronic and keys are the most present on this album, and of course its catchy. It’s massive tunes are quite addictive……it’s Massive Addictive. Stay Metal m/

Massive Addictive: 8/10

More information can be found on their Official Website as well as their Facebook and Twitter Pages. Don’t forget to ‘LIKE’ us at We Love Metal Dot Com’s Facebook Page as well.

Interview With Amaranthe

One of the few bands I consider powerful, engaging, moving, optimistically persuasive and more, I got the privilige to interview the great Amaranthe. I was invited to sit on their prestigous tour bus, as the group sat around and I got to talk to them and ask them questions about their future plans, current touring regimen and what we can expect from their upcoming album, Massive Addictive. They are a group of jokers and a group that knows what they are doing at the same time. All around, it was the utmost pleasurable experience of a lifetime to sit face to face with Amaranthe. Ok, I’ll shut up and let the fan boy in me hide. One little tidbit I forgot to mention in my review of their concert, was that Elize actually sat down with a fan that looked slightly disabled and talked with her for a little while, as the fan was crying with tears of joy after speaking to her. The fan was standing off to the side away from the crazy action during Within Temptation’s set, so Elize offered her a chair and conversation, she has gained my respect more now after that caring action. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the interview. Stay Metal m/

[tube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmCzKAOeQXs[/tube]