Un Lac de Larmes et de sang
(A Lake of Tears and Blood)
[Adipocere Records]

I haven’t wished I could speak French this badly since the last time I was in Quebec and was desperately seeking a restroom. Furia, obviously from France, are one of the few bands out there that record all of their vocals in their native tongue. While this is certainly respectable, and adds a certain degree of mystique and flavor to the album, it can be damn frustrating when reviewing an album of such epic proportions as Furia’s “Un Lac de Larmes et de sang”.

Furia have been around since June of 1997 and have 2 self-released productions, a mini-CD, and two full-length albums under their belts. Furia play in a style which may primarily be defined as melodic death metal, however, they are also influenced by a wide array of styles of metal not typically associated with the genre. Power metal influence abounds on this record. This is not a traditional power metal/melodic death cross such as Norther. Instead of borrowing the chugging guitars and double bass drum attack of power metal, Furia have found inspiration in the more epic side of the genre. On “Un Lac de Larmes et de sang”, Furia have created a full-fledged metal opera a la bands such as Avantasia and Blind Guardian. The disc also has a small folk influence with an even smaller amount of electronica, as well as a number of orchestral instruments, occasional female vocals, and epic keyboards.

While Furia collect from a huge number of influences, it is important to note that musically they are firmly rooted in traditional European melodic death metal. Instead of changing the style, these influences reinforce the songwriting in ways never before seen. Keyboards are primarily used to add texture to the songs, occasionally coming out by themselves to play something to compliment the melodies of the dueling guitars. The orchestral instruments also tend to follow along the same lines, making the entire album feel rich and powerful beyond the boundaries traditionally experienced by melodic death. To keep things interesting, every so often an acoustic guitar may be heard on the album, either strumming chords far in the back of the mix, or suddenly right out in the open before the electrics come crashing back in for the verse. Also of note is the high quality of the female vocals used sparingly throughout the album. They are truly beautiful, as well as somewhat haunting in an inexplicable way.

Any fan of melodic death metal would be a fool not to look this one up. Furia break ground in a genre that has been slowly stagnating for lack of originality. Many of the melodies and riffs here match leading albums in the genre such as In Flames’ The Jester Race and At The Gates’ Slaughter of the Soul in terms of their sense of songwriting and technicality. This album may also serve as a superb way by which to bring fans of epic power metal to the darker side of underground metal. Ahem... what are you doing still reading this review? Go out and buy this record!