Band:	Damnation Angels
Album:	Bringer Of Light
Style:	Symphonic metal
Release date:	March 07, 2012
Guest review by:	AngelofDeth

01. Ad Finem
02. The Longest Day Of My Life
03. Reborn
04. I Hope
05. Pt. 1 - Acerbus Inceptum
06. Pt. 2 - Someone Else
07. Pt. 3 - Bringer Of Light
08. Pt. 4 - Shadow Symphony
09. No Leaf Clover [Metallica cover]
10. Pride (The Warrior's Way)
11. Kurenai [X Japan cover]

Like a Norwegian Justin Bieber, PelleK - the band's lead singer, rose to fame by singing in homemade videos on YouTube. But, unlike the "Beibmeister", PelleK prefers music of the heavier sort; particularly power and symphonic metal. And now, after years of amateur online videos, PelleK has teamed up with Damnation Angels from across the sea, to produce one of his first professional releases.

Bringer Of Light starts off with a typical, albeit strong symphonic intro, and quickly jumps into easily one of the best songs on the album, "The Longest Day Of My Life"; a 10 minute epic, that sets the stage for a seemingly very promising album. But does the rest of the album deliver on that promise?

Well ? mostly. There are undoubtedly some great songs, featuring excellent symphonies, blazing guitars, and catchy choruses, all with a unique Damnation Angels style. And there are also a few simply beautiful ballads on there. But as the album proceeds, there are just one too many slow piano parts that kills the albums momentum and makes your mind wonder away from the music. There are also a few songs, like "Reborn", that are just a little too poppy and similar to Kamelot.

While the album has its faults, it still manages to showcase some true gems. Particularly "Pride (The Warrior's Way)", another 10minuter that incorporates heavy use of Japanese folk in the symphonies (seemingly a new trend starting with Whispered, and now Wintersun claiming the same style).

While PelleK's vocals aren't perfect, they are by no means a chore to listen to and could prove to raise even the longest of hair of a metal head. But as a whole, the album is bogged down by too many shifts to slower tempos with soft keyboard parts. Halfway through the album a shot of adrenaline would've been much appreciated.

Overall Bringer Of Light is still a very enjoyable album, and a solid debut at that. The 10min epics are executed perfectly and the ballads are beautiful. With a little refining, Damnation Angels could easily become the next big gun in the symphonic metal scene.

P.S. I would recommend getting your hands on the Japanese version, as it has an additional kick ass bonus track!