Band:	Winter In Eden
Album:	Awakening
Style:	Symphonic gothic metal
Release date:	April 26, 2010
A review by:	KwonVerge

01. Oblivion
02. Inside
03. Fate Will Oblige
04. Stolen Fairytale
05. Aragon
06. Ruled By Fear
07. Frustrated Dreamer
08. At The Edge Of The World
09. Cry
10. Windelfell
11. Alighierr
12. The Awakening Chapter One: Introspection
13. The Awakening Chapter Two: Unspoken

Newcomers! I like newcomers, especially when they have something say and this UK act under the name Winter In Eden after the At The Edge Of The World EP (2009) are back with their first full-length release, Awakening. And what an appropriate title for a debut album this is, showing the beginning of a course that promises a lot. If you're a sucker for female-fronted metal bands that move in the symphonic universe then Winter In Eden is something you shouldn't miss; and don't forget that I'm quite strict in this kind of music.

Awakening is a self-financed/released work and I became aware of that after I listened to it, searching on the net for more information while being impressed. Well, yeah, they are worth of more attention, even the production is very good and I think they would fit the roster of labels such as Napalm Records that deal well with female-fronted metal acts and Winter In Eden would be a good boost both for the band and the label with some new boiling blood among its ranks. The cover artwork sums up really well their sound, its elegant, gentle and outside the window leads you somewhere far away.

Their sound is not only quite affected and filled with inspiration, but of everflowing emotion as well and has everything it requires to become a well-known band among others in the near future with more releases in the same vein, well, whether they'll get more commercial or not, this I do not know, but their music is definitely pleasing to the ear leaving a sweet impression. Vicky's voice is highly expressive, holds a fragile strength of its own and breathes emotional depth in the compositions as it dances caressed by the affected keyboard/piano lines that evoke a bittersweet atmosphere. The guitars are quite heavy with interesting soloing moments and they form alongside the rhythm section the main musical structure which consists of the canvas upon which the keyboards/orchestrations/vocals will paint the sound colours that will make Awakening explode with ambiance.

Inside Awakening you will find many beautiful compositions that will keep you good company full of melody and emotion for about 52 minutes. "Stolen Fairytale" at times somehow resembles to my ears a heavier, more upbeat and more affected but still atmospheric and emotional version of Stratovarius' "Forever", still a fabulous song that will overwhelm you with its escalating vibe as it reaches its end. "Ruled By Fear" will also caress you with its dynamic beauty, "Frustrated Dreamer", the deep "Cry", the more traditional sounding "Windelfell" and the two-chapter “The Awakening” that leads the album to an end.

Works like Awakening shouldn't remain into unkown realms, especially since it is self-financed/released, this is a big plus for you to embrace, especially since the work they present is dynamic yet still so gentle, with a good production. They worked hard and this deserves applause to say the least. Adorers of female-fronted symphonic metal should contact the band in order to get a hold of the album; and remember this, one day Winter In Eden will be very big, no matter how commercial or easy-listening they might be in the future (I'm just guessing, not condemning), they will be big, after all, according to their debut album, they deserve it in the soundscapes upon which they set sail.