What began as collaboration between only two people – Ines Lukkanen and Tero Kalliomäki – ended up in a new Gothic Metal band from Finland: Embassy of Silence. But it is ridiculous to use the word "end" in here, for what these two initiated now finally got wings with the first album "Euphorialight" and starts to fly as soon as you push play.

The title is very well chosen, because this is exactly what the CD contains: euphoria and light. Already the first song "Soul-Broken" spreads such a warm, vibrantly and at the same time arcane atmosphere that makes you feel like listening to a beautiful and exiting tale about life, love and its mysteries. Therefore Embassy of Silence did not invent new tales and did not invent a new way how to tell them. But that is not what is important. What is is the question - do they manage to win over the audience?

At this point of course I can only speak for myself: they won! And I think I can go so far to claim that with "Euphorialight" Embassy of Silence will win a lot more to come! Catchy melodies without unnecessary bombast and an interesting mixture between slow, fine compositions and charming, groovy, pace songs that invite to sing along give a guarantee of my claim. Although the initial power of "Euphorialight" seems to cease a bit towards the end of the album it does not harm the quality. There are many gaudy strong songs like "Soul-Broken", "I Ride Alone", "Baron Samedi" and "The Mercury Lamp", while the rest of the songs enfold their beauty piece by piece.The maybe biggest plus of "Euphorialight" is the strong and clear voice of Ines Lukkanen, which slightly reminds of Nienke de Jong (Ex-Autumn). Of course it only can work that well if there is a perfect fit with the music, but nevertheless it gives Embassy of Silence a distinctive touch. Finally the package is completed by the way the band presents itself. With outfits taken from a fascinating time back in the end of the 19^th century, they succeeded in creating their own authentic atmosphere.

"Euphorialight" and Embassy of Silence are art. This kind of art combined with music has become far too seldom, so open your heart and horizon and let the (euphoria)light shine in!

8 / 10 

Claudia Schwarz – 11.05.2010