STORMY ATMOSPHERE

Israeli band STORMY ATMOSPHERE was formed in 2002 by Eduard Krakov and Teddy Shvets. From that point and onwards they developed a concept and slowly put together a band to realize it. The end result was initially released in 2009 as "Colorblind", a production that was reissued by Russian label MALS Records in 2012.

Stormy Atmosphere delivered a fine debut album of the kind that should find favour amongst fans of mainstream oriented metal such as Nightwish but with a taste and desire for material of a somewhat more sophisticated nature. Dual male and female vocals with theatrical and operatic delivery are something of a cornerstone feature, supplemented by a varied musical backdrop that touches upon ballad oriented rock, folk music and power metal in addition to accessible progressive metal. A band and an album well worth taking note of by those who find this description tantalizing.

Apparently this album was originally released in 2009, but I have only just been sent a copy by Mals and I note that release is copyrighted 2012 so I guess that this is a reissue. In which case all power to Mike Lanin for grabbing this as it is a joy to listen to from start to finish. Definitely one for fans of bands like Kamelot, this is symphonic progressive metal with plenty of twists and changes. One of the sheer delights is the two lead singers, Dina Shulman and Teddy Shivets ? while there is nothing that unusual in having two singers, it is definitely different to have two that both sound as if they have been professionally trained. There are times when their voices soar and mingle in a way that I just haven't come across too often in popular music. They both take lead as well, and there are times when that is against a gentle acoustic backdrop as on "Bridge" but there are others where they are against a musical maelstrom.

This is an album that I fell in love with the very first time I played it, and the more I have listened to it the more I have got from it. The use of additional musicians (flute, violin etc) has allowed the core band to spread their wings and the result is an album that at times is very different to anything else that is around, yet is always accessible and melodic. This is one of the few bands I have heard from Israel, and I can only hope that the scene is vibrant enough for them to be able to cut another album as this is superb. www.mals.ru

3.5 realy

Stormy Atmosphere is a progressive metal band from Israel, releasing so far an album in 2009 named Colorblind. Well, a realy nice album , great surprise to y ears, where the duel between two vocalist a male and female has a special effect here. Very strong arrangements, with some ghotic touches here and there make from this first Stormy Atmosphere release a winner. Nice piano parts interluded ok even great with the rest, the keybords give a special atmosphere overall, from progressive metal in his purest form to some nice and smooth elements from progressive rock not far from glory days of '70's. Nice harsh vocals from male side gives a certain rough metalic feel overall but combine with smooth and elegant female vocal arrangements Stormy Atmosphere new how to make a great debute. In places they are similar with another progressive rock band from Israel Soul Enema, but the later is less metalic nas more symphonic prog in aproach but the sound and overall attitude is the same almost. Nice lenghty tracks, from 2 to 10 min long tracks, where progressive elements are all over interluded with metalic arrangements. Forte pieces, Awaken, Fifth season and Conspiracy both parts. So, a 3.5 star to me, from good to great in places, a well constructed album in progressive metal manner but with some fine melodic parts added by this Israelian band. Fans of prog metal aswell must take a listen they worth to be better known world wide. Nice cover art aswell.