Earlier this year I was lucky enough to catch singer Floor Jansen fronting a band, proving that not only is she an incredible singer but also a wonderful front person. Earlier this week I saw a notification that she was now a full member of that band, Nightwish, and no longer a touring guest and based on what I saw that night the guys have made a very wise decision. For those who are unaware, Floor built her reputation as singer for twelve years with After Forever, and it was after she decided to spread her wings that she formed Revamp. But given her duties with Nightwish, I was somewhat surprised to see that she was releasing a second album in August 2013 under the Revamp name, but I am truly glad that she did. While she has a very high controlled trained soprano, she doesn’t need to go that high very often, but instead uses a more natural style that allows her to portray more power and emotion.
I’ve seen this album marked as progressive metal by many, but to me it is much more in the symphonic metal area than the progressive, and a wonderfully evocative and charismatic form at that. This is all about a metal band that is allowed to spread its’ wings just so far, but at all times the sole purpose is to provide a vehicle for Floor to shine, something she does with consummate ease. She dominates proceedings, but still makes room for guitarists Arjan Rijnen and Jord Otto so that there is a band feel as opposed to a solo act. She has guested with others in the past, and Devin Townsend returns the favour with a duet here. Solid, symphonic, powerful, with incredible vocals and great riffs. You can’t go wrong.
