Blog Post

The Dark Element ‘Songs the Night Sings’ Out now on Frontiers Music 

Iain McArthur • Dec 10, 2019

ALBUM REVIEW

Former ‪Sonata Arctica‬ man, ‪Jani Liimatainen‬, has created another fine set of songs for The Dark Element’s second album. As before, he’s joined by ex-‪Nightwish‬ singer ‪Anette Olzon‬ and it’s a late contender for symphonic metal album of the year.

The opening track ‘Not Your Monster’ is musically stunning and intriguing lyrically. It really sounds like a kiss-off to one or both of the pair’s former bands. In that sense, it is similar to ‪Nightwish‬’s spiteful ‘Bye Bye Beautiful’ and it’s every bit as good, probably better. ‘Silence Between the Words’ also seems to be a break-up song but is somewhat sweeter.

Anette’s contributions to two excellent ‪Nightwish‬ albums will probably never get the recognition they deserve simply because of who she’s not, much like Blaze Bayley with ‪Iron Maiden‬. Unlike some in the genre, she’s got an accessible and relatable voice and brings Jani’s songs to life perfectly. That’s especially evident on the soaring title track and ‘When it All Comes Down’ which follows.

Obviously there are ‘dark elements’ to some of the songs, not least the epic ‘The Pallbearer Walks Alone’ which is suitably gloomy but also thought-provoking. Some of the other songs deliver a gothic message but often in an upbeat and energetic way, such as the almost AOR stylings of ‘Silence Between the Words’ and the techno-infused ‘Pills on my Pillow’. In the latter, Anette declares herself as ‘a modern day Cassandra’ - that’s the mythological character whose accurate prophecies are not believed, rather than Rodney’s wife from ‘Only Fools & Horses’ you plonkers. Other highlights include the bleak but beautiful ‘To Whatever End’ and there’s even a surprise ending with a jazzy torch song called ‘I Have to Go’.

This is an impressive partnership that really works and hopefully we will hear more from them in the future. Extensive live dates appear unlikely given Jani’s other commitments but you never know.

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