« White Empress » (EP)
2013
Rumoured to be the brainchild of Cradle of Filth guitarist, Paul Allender, WHITE EMPRESS is shrouded in mystery and intrigue. Bearing the hallmarks of symphonic, melodic Death Metal, the four song ep. indulges in bombastic rhythms punctuated by full on dramatic flair! Not to be stereotyped as another « female fronted » commercial viability, this mini-album has teeth!
What sets WHITE EMPRESS apart is the vocal styling that combines both a deathly rasp and cleanly sung, soaring delivery, most notable on first song, Erased and Rewritten. Here, the energetic pace and manic symphonic overtones make for tension between the verses and chorus; quite effective. Similarly, Exile (The Empress Returns) continues the epic barrage of sonic fury, accentuated by a background choir and subtle dramatic keys which are anything but, in Fall of the Guard, as they become the driving force behind the number’s cinematic melodrama.
As most female fronted bands indulge in clichéd gothic and serene textures, WHITE EMPRESS doesn’t mince words but gloriously dabbles in complex and layered musical ideas. More vicious than others, the troupe steers the ship into troubled waters and attacks the storm head-on! Nicely mixed and produced, the sound is pristine and clear, allowing for the subtle details to be heard without being overbearing in the final mix. The only problem is…..the album isn’t a full length, which is something fans will no doubt be yearning for this year!
Standout Tracks: Exile (The Empress Returns), Fall of the Guard
8.5/10
Chris
