HARDWARES

Visions Of Atlantis prove that female-fronted symphonic metal doesn't have to be prissy or wince-inducing. This seemingly impossible feat has been achieved here by placing guitars front and centre, mainly leaving the keyboards as background embellishment. Very much a guitar-oriented album, Trinity rocks hard rhythmically and in the solo department as well. In fact, one its strengths is in its consistent aggressiveness and memorable tracks throughout its 47 minutes. Yeah, the soprano vocals provided by ex-Aesma Daeva vocalist Melissa Ferlask may not be to everyone's tastes, but she shows enough restraint and talent to earn the benefit of the doubt from even those who normally aren't smitten by such feminine vox.