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Current concise reviews of the albums by adult alternative, contemporary, and crossover artists. Images of album artwork and links to both internet-based resources are always included. Click on the title to view the article.

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Believe
Image © 2000\r\n\r\nDark Symphonies  
 

(27 January 2000) The debut album from Rain Fell Within isentitled Believe (Dark Symphonies (USA) Dark 7, 2000) is a fivetrack collection of atmospheric metal with operatic vocals. Certain toappeal to fans of Nightwish and Third and The Mortal, their musicencompasses a broad range of stylistic influences including: My DyingBride, Paradise Lost and The Gathering. The band's stated influencesalso include Theatre of Tragedy, Tiamat, Dead Can Dance and Amorphis.Musical Discoveries' editors were drawn to the music by the statedsimilarity to Nightwish and this is evidenced by lead vocalist DawnSmith's operatic vocal contributions. Rain Fell Within, like Nightwishhas effectively integrated stunning operatic vocals with metal-edged progressive arrangements.

Rain Fell Within is based in Northern Virginia (USA) andformed in October 1996. After spending 1997 writing material, RainFell Within recorded a 5-song demo which was not released to the public.Developing upon their symphonic style, in 1998 they released a professionaldemo titled "Solemn Days." The demo received excellent responses worldwide.In late 1998, the beand began writing new, more mature material than"Solemn Days" and began playing live shows. The lineup finally stabilisedin mid-1999. Today the band includes Dawn Smith (vocals and keys), CharlesGore (bass), Owen Davis (guitars), Tim Miller (percussion) and KevinThomas (guitars).

The Believe album is comprised of four epic length,progressively influenced, tracks exceeding eight minutes whilst the closingtrack runs just under four minutes. The opening number, "A False Reality,"serves as an excellent introduction to the band and Dawn's soaring operaticvocal prowess, multitracked extensively throughout to provide supportingbacking vocal textures. The double-bass drum and metal edged guitarsdominate the intrumental arrangements. The intriguing track "Alone" blends evocative operatic—yet melancholy—vocals with harder-edgedmetal instrumentals and lush keyboards. We especially enjoyed the fast paced instrumental bridge and accompanying vocal in the last third of the song. Dawn's incredibly powerful voice rings throughoutthe track and complimenting both singers, she can be favourably comparedto Tarja Turunen of Nightwish.

While comparisons to Nightwish and The Third and the Mortalcan not be avoided, the title track is clearly the closest allusion toNightwish in instrumental performance, hard driving style and Dawn's stunning lead vocal part. Instrumentals are as lush as they are heavy while vocals are clearly beautiful and the contrast works quite well for Rain Fell Within as it does for Nightwish. Dawn's additional backingvocals add substantial to the overall texture of the track. "SorrowBecomes Me" is a slower and somewhat lighter atmostpheric track witha vast range of lovely vocal excursions. The album concludes with thevocally lush "The Sun in my Wound" opening with a heavily layered a capella introduction. This stunning operatic ballad is a lovely tribute to Dawn Smith's soaring vocal work with the lightest instrumental arrangement in support.

Although the album's running time is relatively short bytoday's standards, the quality of the tracks included on Believeis outstanding. Rain Fell Within are indeed a very powerful atmosphericmetal band that demonstrate progressive influences in their work. Wefound Dawn Smith's vocals stunning in every respect and think that thisalbum should be explored to listen to her sing if for no other reason. Interested readers should listen to the tracks at Rain Fell Within's mp3.com website. Worth a long distance journey and extensive investigation, Believe is certainly a must listen!

 
 
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