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Inner Shrine - Samaya (2004 - Dragonheart)

Samaya

Bands who lie within this genre of symphonic/gothic metal with female vocals always have to be really something to make an impression on me because it is all too easy to blend guitars and synth these days. Well have Inner Shrine done anything to impress with 'Samaya'?
I think what annoyed me most with this record is that they have made pleasant enough gothic metal, but havent created a real atmosphere, haven't been able to engage the listener fully. It aims to be dark and moody but comes off as Euro-cheesy and too friendly and welcoming with poppy beats far too modern to constitute anything even remotley gothic. Maybe if there were a genre of goth-pop (god forbid) that might contain such 'bands' as The Rasmus and HIM, then Inner Shrine might fit in somwhere here?
The classical/violin based sections are good, but the mood changes too much and incorporates images that wouldnt go well on a metal album. For example listening to 'Elegiacus In Re Min' makes me feel like I should be in a suit, wearing a trilby and chatting to Marilyn Monroe in a very elegant 50's ballroom. A very confused record indeed. It is like Enya sold her soul to some Euro-pop band, spliced with some other bad ideas!
This might appeal to mainland Europeans more, but it is lost on me. If symphonic, female vocalled, Euro-cheese metal is your passion then you will enjoy this. Advice to the majority of metal consuming folk is to steer clear.
Reviewed By - hail erebus

Slay The Masses Score...5.5/10

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