Finnish darksters Relicon return with their 3rd demo. "Darksters"? Yep, the band's line-up has increased from one to five and this is what needed to happen. Real drums make this much more enjoyable to listen to. And music is more metal than before, too. At least half of it.

I see Relicon as a mixture of old Peaceville bands, such as Katatonia and Paradise Lost, with frosting of Finnish melancholy. Antti-Pekka Meronen has taken the vocalist spot, even though he composed both songs. His style is a bit similar than Katatonia's Jonas Renkse, but is more serene, almost whispered at times. The voice doesn't bring any similar ones to my mind. 'Hope Today' is more powerful and more metal of the two songs. It includes a guitar solo, which pleases me. 'Wish upon a Star' is more goth-style song, and therefore not for my liking as much as the opener. Two short-ish songs aren't a lot, to tell the truth, but maybe this is enough to represent the band's style. Recording is demo quality, nothing less, nothing more.

Packed with more professional-looking artwork than demos usually are, the band's definitely on the right track. Increased line-up, well composed songs, and above all, better than two previous demos.

Reviewed by Lane
12/03/2005 22:27