Continuing their legacy from the previous album, AMBERIAN DAWN have assembled to follow their passion and take a chance at being the dawn of a new era for the metal genre with ”Take A Chance: A Metal Tribute to ABBA”, to be released December 2, 2022 via Napalm Records.
Introducing ABBA-Metal, the band does not shy away from experimenting with genres while still staying true to their melodic metal origins. Earworms combined with characteristic AMBERIAN DAWN elements truly metallicize the ABBA legacy and transform it into a metal experience like never heard before.
With skillfully implemented synthesizers to create vintage sounding keys, guitar riffs and vocalist Capri’s angelic voice, the original lines immerse perfectly with rocking instrumentals.
Dashing drums ensure a high-paced experience that expresses their band identity without losing the catchy ABBA-reminiscent keyboards, renowned lyrics and nostalgic feeling of the original.
Including evergreens like “Mamma Mia” and “Super Trouper”, AMBERIAN DAWN enchants with a variety of tracks. Representing a wide array of ABBA songs from high energy to moving metal ballads like “Like An Angel Walking Through My Room”, the band delivers astounding ABBA-Metal to a broad audience.
Blending expertly crafted symphonic melodious metal with ‘ABBA metal’, this band have definitely hit the nail on the head in terms of uniqueness.
The first track on this album is a superb cover of the ABBA classic ”Super Trouper”. They have absolutely nailed the timeless harmonisation in the introduction, to the point that you could forget you aren’t actually listening to the real deal. Päivi Virkkunen‘s lead vocals sound pretty much identical to Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad combined – how wonderful.
”Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)” manages to merge the typical ABBA sound with the band’s fantastic symphonic power sound they are most recognised for. The infectious instrumental in the bridge of the track just completes it; this is all a fan of both ABBA and metal could want and more. ”SOS” is up next, its symphonic metal themed introduction keeping listeners excited for what’s to come. As soon as Virkkunen‘s incredible vocals kick in, we are as hooked as ever. The band have stuck to their roots here with some metal riffs hidden in the depths of the vintage inspired keyboard sounds, thereby creating something totally unique.
”Head Over Heels” starts off with an energetic riff before leaping straight into the expected ABBA sound. Even though this is ultimately one of the lesser known ABBA songs, there is no denying that AMBERIAN DAWN have made this track their own. It is definitely guitarist Emil Pohjalainen‘s time to shine, with his insane level of musical skill seeping through the entirety of this song.
”The Day Before You Came” definitely takes a more emotional, slower path, which is a pleasant change. Virkkunen‘s vocals are the star of this track, with her higher register sure to leave listeners in awe.
”Angeleyes” brings us back to life with another high-energy cover, and ”That’s Me” holds our attention from there. Fan-favourite ”Mamma Mia” is next and it delivers in every way; AMBERIAN DAWN manage to inject their own sound into such a classic track, giving it a real star quality. The band keep the energy up with ”Under Attack” and Pohjalainen‘s unbelievable talent is clear yet again with some truly astonishing guitar segments.
AMBERIAN DAWN change things up with the slower cover of the iconic 1981 ballad ”Like An Angel Passing Through My Room”. This version is just incredible, with the heartfelt emotion in Virkkunen‘s voice throughout the track sounding as though she wrote the song, as she just sings with so much conviction.
The closer is the classic ”Lay All Your Love On Me”, and some might even say that this is better than the original and that’s quite a statement. The band just nail all the main elements of this song, whilst still remaining true to themselves, which is so important in this modern age.
AMBERIAN DAWN‘s ”Take A Chance – A Metal Tribute To ABBA” is truly sensational. It is most definitely up there as one of the best albums of the year. The Finnish quintet have really thought outside the box here and not been afraid to try something different, which is very admirable.
Somehow they have not made a typically cheesy ABBA tribute album, which was a slight worry; instead, they have effortlessly combined two completely contrasting genres of music, pushing endless boundaries along the way.
1. Super Trouper
2. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)
3. SOS
4. Head Over Heels
5. The Day Before You Came
6. Angeleyes
7. That's Me
8. Mamma Mia
9. Under Attack
10. Like An Angel Passing Through My Room
11. Lay All Your Love On Me
Amberian Dawn – Take A Chance – A Metal Tribute to Abba 2022+FLAC
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