REVIEW: BOREALIS - Fall from Grace

 

BOREALIS - Fall from Grace (2011)

Lion Music

I often ask bands from the ’80s how they think the metal scene of that decade differs from the contemporary one. I believe it is time for me to offer my own answer to this question. What I love about the ’80s is that bands and musicians seemed to be more carefree. They had their dreams, their passion for playing metal, and the ambition to become known like the bands they had admired while growing up. Most of them were not great musicians in terms of music theory or technical ability, but they had enthusiasm, determination, and a certain naïveté that often worked in their favour. These qualities helped them create songs that, in some cases, have stood the test of time and continue to be remembered today.

Nowadays, we have highly skilled musicians and technology that offers almost unlimited possibilities for composing, recording, and producing music. However, I sometimes feel that many musicians no longer allow their emotions to guide them in the creative process. After all, metal is music that should come from the heart. Instead, technical knowledge and the desire to demonstrate one's abilities can become the main priorities, turning music into a rather pointless competition. Of course, there are exceptions, but technical proficiency alone does not guarantee memorable songwriting or a distinctive musical identity.

BOREALIS hail from Canada, a country with a metal scene I have always appreciated, and play modern power metal, combining the traditional characteristics of the genre with melodic death metal elements reminiscent of IN FLAMES. Their sound also brings EVERGREY to mind, particularly in terms of atmosphere, although that band's approach has never been particularly appealing to me. BOREALIS have clearly put considerable effort into their music, and Fall from Grace is a well-constructed album, featuring competent performances, a polished production, and a consistent musical direction.

The problem, at least for me, is that the album lacks one essential ingredient: a sufficiently distinctive personal touch. The songs are enjoyable, and there is nothing fundamentally wrong with the way the band combines power metal melodies, heavier guitar work, and darker atmospheric elements. Nevertheless, the overall result sounds too familiar, recalling the work of numerous contemporary bands operating in a similar musical territory. Everything is in place, but I find myself missing that individual spark that could make BOREALIS stand out from the crowd.

Ultimately, Fall from Grace is a professionally executed release that should appeal to listeners who enjoy modern, melodic power metal with a heavier edge. Personally, however, I prefer a more individual approach to songwriting, even when it comes at the expense of technical perfection. Within this particular musical field, I find ORDEN OGAN more convincing, while ASPERITY, despite having released only one album, have also offered something that appeals to me much more. BOREALIS have the musicianship and the necessary ingredients, but for my taste, they still need to develop a stronger musical identity to make a lasting impression.

Nick Parastatidis