PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
Re Vamp and Floor Jansen return with a full deck.
Having just finished touring every nook and cranny of the globe as guest/ temporary/ permanent (delete as appropriate) vocalist with Nightwish, Floor Jansen at last gets the chance to unleash her own creative powers with this, the follow up to 2010’s self titled debut album.
Stylistically it is worlds apart from her current employers offerings but having said that, if she were to get the full time post then I’m sure she would muscle some of her own ideas in to future releases. “Wild Card” as an album, is in my view, a lot more accessible than its predecessor, which whilst very good, tended to splutter along in places. This follow up on the other hand, is a much more complete and rounded body of work.
Starting with a bombastic three part suite titled “The Anatomy Of A Nervous Breakdown” the foundation stones of the album are set, the third movement in particular being very impressive. Floor, when on form has one of the strongest and most versatile voices anywhere in the world of Metal and fans will be pleased to hear that she seems bang in the groove on this record. Again collaborating with former After Forever colleague and now producer Joost van den Broek, the benefits are obvious, tracks like “Precibus” are pure brilliance in terms of sound and production quality, a level that does not dip at any point throughout the albums duration, “Nothing” a further highlight of many.
The album features various guests and friends, perhaps not surprisingly Mark Jansen (Epica), who blasts vocals on “Misery’s No Crime”, a track that serves a reminder as to how good the two were together during the heady days of After Forever, full of soaring operatics, growls, strings and riffs that make it my personal album favourite. Softer moments appear now and again, the delightful piano led intro of “Distorted Lullabies”, lulling you into a false sense of security before the track launches into a Gothic, Symphonic masterpiece that Mr Holopainen would be proud of. “Amendatory” sees Floor test the full range of her vocal powers, as indeed does the title track, both full of different emotions and vocal styles that tick all the right boxes.
From the point of what the future holds for Floor, this could be seen as an interesting crossroads in her career, will she be able to balance the demands of Nightwish should she take the plunge, against the obvious creative freedom she enjoys with Re Vamp, difficult decisions. “Wild Card” the album though, should be viewed on its own merits, an excellent album demonstrating her immense versatility as an artist, backed by a talented group of musicians and top notch production. Highly recommended.
Track Listing;
1. The Anatomy Of A Nervous Breakdown – On The Sideline
2. The Anatomy Of A Nervous Breakdown – The Limbic System
3. Wild Card
4. Precibus
5. Nothing
6. The Anatomy Of A Nervous Breakdown – Neurasthenia
7. Distorted Lullabies
8. Amendatory
9. I Can Become
10. Misery’s No Crime
11. Wolf And Dog
12. Sins (Bonus Track)
Recording Line Up;
Floor Jansen – Vocals
Arjan Rijnen – Guitar
Jord Otto – Guitar
Ruben Wijga – Keyboards
Matthias Landes – Drums
Guest Musicians;
Mark Jansen – Vocals
Devin Townsend – Vocals
Marcela Bovio – Vocals
Johan van Stratum – Bass
Daniël de Jongh – Vocals
Released through Nuclear Blast Records on the 23rd of August.
https://www.facebook.com/ReVamp
