Band:	Pythia
Album:	The Serpent's Curse
Style:	Symphonic power metal
Release date:	February 27, 2012
A review by:	Susan

01. Cry Of Our Nation
02. Betray My Heart
03. Kissing The Knife
04. Just A Lie
05. Dark Star
06. Long Live The King
07. The Circle
08. My Perfect Enemy
09. Heartless
10. Our Forgotten Land

Pythia plays symphonic metal, and plays it really well. In fact I'll just say it: I'm loving this album.

So, why is this The Serpent's Curse so amazing? For one thing, the singer doesn't suck! She's actually quite good. Thankfully. Emily Alice Ovenden is clearly in possession of real vocal talent, not to mention actual training, a rarity in this scene lately. She brings an even tone, attention to style, personal charisma, and vocal control to Pythia. Outside of metal she sings professionally with the successful ensembles Mediaeval Baebes and Celtic Legend.

Musically, this album is bursting at the seams with passion and energy. This is serious music but it's also damn fun and the band is enjoying every second of playing it. I know bands record one instrument at a time while in the studio, but I can't help but imagine Pythia together, all playing at once, rocking out the entire time.

There are beautiful keyboards lending intense color and texture in which you could easily be swept away, and overall most songs are quite heavy thanks to powerful guitar work. The pace is fast and the hard-hitting drums gallop onward hinting at power metal roots. In fact, the songwriting is so interesting and well composed that plenty of progressive elements can't help but slip in from time to time. Words like "bombastic" could easily describe many of these songs, but they still manage to play with a wide variety of tempos and moods, making each song individual.

No, I'm not going to list any of the famous/classic bands in this genre and say Pythia sounds like them. They just don't. It's straight up symphonic metal but somehow they managed to not copy a damn thing from anyone else. Don't you dare miss this album, which they released on CD as well as gorgeous picture vinyl. Just how cool are these guys?! I bet they're so cool they carry flasks?