Band:	Syrens Call
Album:	Live From The Abyss
Style:	Power metal, Progressive metal, Symphonic metal
Release date:	April 2008
A review by:	Jeff

Disc I [DVD]
[Live At The Nautylis In Comines, France:]
01. The Other Kingdom
02. Fears And Hopes
03. Mission To Earth
04. Your Soul Is Mine
05. Secrets Of The Seas
06. Survival
07. The Druidesses Of Oya
08. Cold Embers
09. In The Abyss Of Sorrow
10. Silence Of An Angel
11. Pink Star & Tita 09
12. Brave Hearts [Acoustic version]
13. Storm [Acoustic version]
14. Run And Fall
15. Legasea
16. The Start Of A New Story
17. Aquatic Coma
18. Toccatttack
19. Far Away
20. The Show Must Go On

Extras:
+ A Documentary About The Story Of Syrens Call
+ A Making-Of Of The Anniversary Gig

Disc II [CD]
[Best-Of Of The Concert:]
01. The Other Kingdom
02. Fears And Hopes
03. Mission To Earth
04. Secrets Of The Seas
05. The Druidesses Of Oya
06. Cold Embers
07. Storm [Acoustic version]
08. Run And Fall
09. Legasea
10. Aquatic Coma
11. Far Away
12. The Show Must Go On

Recorded to celebrate Syrens Call's 10th anniversary, the first DVD of the French combo will probably be a good buy for the fans of the French Metal scene. Syrens Call is maybe not yet the best band of our country but definitely they're solid combo and their last EP was more than promising. Let's see if it was a good idea to release this DVD... after all it cannot hurt right?

I have one thing to say first, it must be about the quality of the DVD. It's not bad at all despite the fact that the sound doesn't sound so natural and when it comes to the images it's ok and not badly done. On the other hand it's obvious that it's a French DVD when you simply compare it to the productions from Poland or England, we're simply not in the same category. The job is well done here but France still has a lot of work to do in term of Metal to be compared to a lot of other European countries? Despite the fact that it could be better (technically speaking I mean) the performance of Syrens Call is honest. The band is really professional and plays with a lot of enthusiasm even if the crowd (but that's a small venue?) is not really active and a bit sleepy. Twenty songs are featured on the DVD, that's a lot and the band finishes its set with the famous "Show Must Go On". Really we have a good set list on the DVD and if you like Symphonic Power Metal with technical and Progressive touches, I'm sure that you'll enjoy "Live From The Abyss".

The DVD also features three bonuses. First a documentary about Syrens Call and a "making-of" of the DVD. You'll also have an audio CD (a kind of best-of of the concert, all the songs aren't featured on it) in the package. This is honest not fantastic but ok and since that the DVD is not bad at all in general I'm sure that you'll be happy with this pack. The performance of the musicians is also correct but obviously Soraya Hostens is better in studio than live. Her French accent can be disturbing sometime and she is a bit out of tune on some songs. That's strange she was really good on the last EP? At least the other guys are good enough to correct this little mistake and if you like technical Power Metal I can tell you that you'll see good musical demonstrations here.

"Live From The Abyss" is not a perfect DVD but it's honest, especially for a young band like Syrens Call. Let's hope now that they will be able to release a new album soon and follow the way of "Against Wind And Tide", it's time now to become famous outside of France. "Live From The Abyss" is a good way to discover a promising French band but that's not something big with a production paid by millions of dollars too, remember that.