Search - Coronatus :: Porta Obscura

Female Fronted Symphonic

Redbeard | United States | 01/05/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you like Female-fronted symphonic music, you are going to love this one! Coronatus has most definitely been added to my "most-listened to" music list. Plus, the duo-female sound is a nice touch. Comparisons? Nightwish, Visions of Atlantis, Lunatica, etc. come to mind. If you are into the "growl" sound, you won't find it with this group. No growls, just great vocals with orchestral sounds. I highly recommend Coronatus!"

Two for two

D. L. Morrese | Orlando, FL United States | 07/04/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Porta Obscura is the second studio album by German band Coronatus. Since Coronatus may be new to you, let me draw some comparisons with a few other bands. A few things make Coronatus a little different from either Nightwish or Epica, the two bands they are most often compared to. The most significant is that they have two female singers, one with a classical voice (like Tarja from the old Nightwish) and the other with a pop/rock voice (like Annette from the new Nightwish). This combination allows for an interesting musical dialectic in many of their songs. The are several good examples of this on this album. Another difference is that Coronatus is less "symphonic" than either Epica or Nightwish (or Wildpath for that matter). In this way their sound is more like that of Amberian Dawn. Most of their songs are also not in English, which tends to be the standard for European metal bands. On Porta Obscura, song lyrics are in English, German, and Latin. This does not detract from my personal enjoyment of the songs. One of my favorite tunes on this album is "Mein Herz," which is in German. And except for the few words and phrases picked up from movies and TV, I don't speak a word of German. Lyrics are probably not what most people focus on in this kind of music in any case. Also, you will find no grunts, growls, or screams on this album. Coronatus fortunately does not try to use this gimmick, which is often overdone by other bands. Except for a few spoken words, the vocals, both male and female, are clean and high quality. All in all, this is very enjoyable album."