Band:	Sirenia
Album:	The 13th Floor
Style:	Symphonic gothic metal
Release date:	January 23, 2009
Guest review by:	Ernis

01. The Path To Decay
02. Lost In Life
03. The Mind Maelstrom
04. The Seventh Summer
05. Beyond Life's Scenery
06. The Lucid Door
07. Led Astray
08. Winterborn 77
09. Sirens Of The Seven Seas [feat. Jan Kenneth Barkved]
10. The Path To Decay [radio edit version] [Japanese bonus] [limited edition bonus]
11. The Mind Maelstrom [instrumental version] [Japanese bonus] [limited edition bonus]
12. Winterborn 77 [instrumental version] [Japanese bonus] [limited edition bonus]

The following review is going to be awfully biased since Ailyn, Sirenia's new frontwoman, is irresistibly beautiful and radiating hot. It is hardly possible not to be affected by her beauty, which may lead to deaf ears concerning the music itself.

However, there seems to be no need to be grumpy of Morten Veland's latest work whatsoever.

First of all, coming briefly away from describing the indescribable beauty of the hottest woman in metal, let's try to analyze the album itself. "13th Floor" is a delighting release from Tristania's sister act Sirenia. The melodies Morten Veland created on the first releases of Tristania such as "Beyond The Veil" and the first magical albums of Sirenia are classics of symphonic Gothic style.
While "Nine Destinies And A Downfall" was a hop-off from the usual path, and the nasal vocals of Monica Pedersen might have been not everyone's taste, the new album is, without any doubt, a redevelopment of the style of the first two albums and also a strong and promising step into the future.

The musical side of the album contains the catchy elements that have always been in Sirenia's and Tristania's music. The first song "The Path To Decay" does have these features and makes a fine opening track. The video of the song is also a good one with sweet Ailyn giving her best. Although Ailyn has a nice voice, she has yet to reach the level of some higher class female metal vocalists. But she has proven to be a versatile singer who can handle various genres, from J-pop to metal, and she does it all well. Some more experience in Sirenia and she has the expectations to become one of the best female metal vocalists, a successor to Anneke and Cristina. I would be glad to see that and I am sure she will do fine.

The male vocal parts are performed well. The Sirenian choir with their clear voices and Latin lyrics create a perfect musical atmosphere. These backing singers have always been important performers of Sirenia's music. "13th Floor" gives them a lot of chances to successfully show their talent. Among the strongest songs on the album are "The Mind Maelstrom", "Led Astray" and "Sirens Of The Seven Seas". "The Mind Maelstrom" is a surprising song, Ailyn's vocals strongly resembling Sarah Brightman's angelic singing plus the powerful choir and the composition makes this a grand song. Sarah Brightman metal would be a wonderful future style development. "Led Astray", a catchy song carried by good guitar and keyboard melodies and the intense choral intermezzo. The last track of the album reminds good old Gothic rock with the bleak guitar introduction, followed by a dreaming tale with strong male vocal performance and extensive choral choruses.

Any negative sides? Yes, in many songs there is not that catchiness and vigour as in old songs such as "Sister Nightfall" and "On The Wane". Nevertheless, the album deserves to be among the best releases of 2009. The future will surely bring more interesting and hopefully a lot of good for Sirenia. Once again, Ailiyn is most adorable singer, biggest surprise in recent times. Lots of success and good wishes to Sirenia and their elf princess.