Midnattsol - The Metamorphosis Melody

Change is the first description of Metamorphosis Melody that comes into head – quite fitting with the albums grand title really. But is this change for the best? The band – purely revealed by the opening track Alv, have taken a more symphonic approach on this album. The thing I admired about Nordlys was how different it was to other femme metal bands out there...and I loved Nordlys.

But by the time of the title track, we see that Midnattsol haven’t really changed all that much. Perhaps the music is slightly more camp than before – yet they remain true to themselves, and luckily barely play on the symphonic elements.

Nearly every song is 5 minutes long. This allows for a hell of a lot of variation and development. With Midnattsol switching between heavy but moving folk inspired melodies, to quieter pieces which depict a folk sing along round a campfire. Perfect music to listen to when relaxing, when reading, and when in a good mood.

This isn’t music for the angry metal head, or the fan of trends. This band doesn’t fit into any of the current trends in modern metal, and I don’t really think they ever will. They are similar to Sarah Jezebel Diva in respect to their outcast but beautiful style...something that I really admire and love as it gives the listener an experience completely unique to other bands.

I know many people whom have said Midnattsol ride on a wave of success from their sister band, Leaves’ Eyes. This isn’t true. Liv has nothing to do with this project other than blood relations...and thank god for that. I wouldn’t want Liv’s voice ruining this band, or their camp symphonics overblowing and screwing up their music. Don’t get me wrong – I love Meredead, but Leaves’ Eyes aren’t something I’ve ever found incredible and I’m fed up of Midnattsol getting flak because they know Liv...they aren’t the same thing...

Spellbound is one of the stand out tracks on the album because it’s very different from a normal Midnattsol song. It depends on a beautiful flute line to lead the song, with guitars in support as opposed to lead, and then uses heavy strings around 2 minutes in to help progress the song. Though they used a lot of symphonic elements, it’s nearly always been in a background/support role – but this marked a change in the approach of the band. This is very much against the traditions of Midnattsol but shows they aren’t afraid to change...

They’ve not got any more folk – they’ve always been folk metal (more so than other pseudo-folk bands like Amon Amarth who merely have inspired lyrics, but not actual folk music) and hopefully always will be. They also don’t stick to English like many bands do – for example, the beautiful Motets Makt. This has been something always around in Midnattsol albums and has been somewhat appealing that they aren’t stuck in English like every other band thinks necessary.

Unfortunately, I don’t feel this album has as much identity compared to Nordlys or even Where Twilight Dwells (which in my head just sounds like Elis? Or at least Haunted and Infinite Fairytale do!), and though I personally love the album, I don’t think it’s as good and really, in the grand scheme of things, probably isn’t that good, so I must give it a 6/10. Not average, but not spectacular...
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