Customer Reviews

Beware the Heavens

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

1999's Beware the Heavens is the debut album from Finnish metal band Sinergy. Led by vocalist Kimberly Goss (ex-Dimmu Borgir) and featuring Jesper Stromblad (In Flames) and Alexi Laiho (Children of Bodom), Sinergy is probably not what you might expect.

I think your reaction to this album depends greatly on what you expect going into it. If you look at the band's lineup and see that it features members of Children of Bodom, Dimmu Borgir, and In Flames, you are likely to expect Sinergy to be a black metal/death metal supergroup, which you are definitely not going to get. What you will get is a solid, Judas Priest style, traditional metal album with strong female vocals and some very impressive guitar work. The band members obviously have an appreciation for their roots, and have crafted an album that would appeal more to fans of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Hammerfall, Primal Fear, and of course Doro Pesch and Warlock than to the average black metal/death metal fans.

If you're into traditional metal, especially the female-fronted variety, Beware the Heavens will be a nice addition to your collection. It's nothing really imaginative or groundbreaking, but it is a good, solid heavy metal album.

I think some people are turned off from this CD because it's not a Children of Bodom album. Beware The Heavens is more of a power metal effort, so if you're looking for something scary that you can blast out your car so everyone know's you're a tough guy, this isn't it. However, Laiho's mastery of composition, speed and rhythm are all intact and complimented wonderfully by Kimberly Goss' vocals. BTH does not quite have the violent transitions and wild breakdowns of a Bodom album, but regardless, each song is executed wonderfully. BTH is an excellent disc, and I strongly reccomend it to open-minded fans of metal.

This CD is great, the music is beautiful. For all of those reviews who say this CD is not metal or a bad CD they are musicaly closed minded, just because it is formed by members from Children of Bodom, does not mean that the music is an exact copy of COB's sound in fact if you know anything about music when people do side projects they do different sounding music if they want to do the same thing they would just make another Bodom CD. The CD is great I reccomend it to anyone who likes music, and definitely for fans of Lacuna Coil, Nightwish, Theatre of Tragedy, or Evanescence.

This is not just one more band with a women on the vocals. Kimberly Goss, who played keyboards on Dimmu Borgir and Therion, sings wonderfully; and with Alexi Laiho (Children Of Bodom), Jesper Strömblad (In Flames), Sharlee D'Angelo (Mercyful Fate)makes a incredible band! It's pure Heavy Metal, with amazing instrumentals together with Kim's vocals, that could only become in one of the best metal's records of the year.

I first became interested in Finnish power metal band Sinergy purely because of its Nightwish connections. Marco Hietala, Nightwish bass player, served as a bass player and backing vocalist for Sinergy from 1999-2002. He supposedly left the band because of his Nightwish obligations. I figured that I may as well try the band out anyway, so I started with Sinergy's first album, Beware the Heavens (which actually does not include Hietala).

Despite this unwanted surprise, I pressed on. I mean, this band did support Nightwish on their European Wishmaster tour, so they must be worth checking out. I started with the title track, "Beware the Heavens" and was blown away. This band took the traditional sound of 80s power metal and moved it into the 21st Century, complete with rockin' vocalist, Kimberly Goss (yes, she's American). Goss has phenomenal talent. Her voice has an outrageous range, unmatched versatility, and raw power. I wouldn't say that she's better than Magali Luyten (Beautiful Sin, Virus IV), but the two are similar. This song completely captured the "balls to the wall" metal sound that this band hoped to bring to the world.

After this song I was pumped...only to be completely let down by the rest of the album. It didn't take long for the songs to get...well, boring. The music quickly started to sound monotonous and the songs ran together. I was highly disappointed by this album. I really, really wanted to like it because the overall sound is generally one that I would like, but there was something about it that lacked heart...I think it also hurt that the album only included nine songs that clocked at less than 35 minutes. I had high hopes, but unfortunately this album just didn't work for me. Maybe I've been spoiled with really good metal lately, but I honestly think there are considerably better bands out there.

Perhaps Sinergy's subsequent albums have more heart and soul, but this one was just not a promising start for me.

Not even the word "epic" can fully describe this poignant, masterful, and talented work of audio art. Hailing from Sweden, Sharlee D'Angelo, Alexi Laiho, Jesper Strömblad, and Ronny Milianowicz -- some of the most talented musicians to date, join forces with the unparalleled female vocals of Euro-reknowned Kimberly Goss to create this collage of gothic-spiced Melodic metal that will give you shivers from start to finish!(which actually spans *10* tracks, not four) The intensity of her words amplified by the intensity of the unmatched guitar riffs/solos and driving percussion is sure to turn some metal-heads in your direction with a few "Woah, who is that?!". I guarentee once you hear the guitar/percussion solo in Warrior Princess, the mournful organs in Beware the Heavens, and the dirge-like vocals in Razor Blade Salvation, you'll be *salivating* for more!

(Kim, Alexi, Ronny, Sharlee, Jesper: if you're reading this, there is none higher than you guys! YOU RULE!)

This is typical 80's Power Metal that with a female lead singer is very well made. If this was released in the 80's this band would have been huge. They really displayed their talents on this album and stayed consistent with Suicide by my Side. I'm still awaiting the next album.

Let me start off by saying that Kimberly Goss has an incredible voice! I love girl singers in metal bands, which is why I listen to a lot of Theatre of Tragedy, Within Temptation, Lacuna Coil, and The Gathering (not How To Measure A Planet? That album is terrible!). These guys (and girl) are excellent! Their music is precise and catchy, as are the harmonies with both instrument and vocals. The songs are energetic and angry. Though some of the lyrics are pretty cheesy, Kimberly makes up for it in how they are sung. If you find no other reason to buy this CD, buy it for the song, Razor Blade Salvation! This song is absolutely beautiful! It's mellow, slow, and incredibly written! I hear a lot of complaints about this song because it's too slow, or too touchy-feely! But most of these complaints I hear from morons who enjoy the music of Cradle of Filth or Cannibal Corpse or other rediculous bands with next to no talent! The fact is that it's an excellent song and this is a great CD! It is definately a Power Metal classic!

Well with a lineup featuring; Kim, Alex, and Jesper you would automatically think RIGHT ON!! Well FORGET IT!! I dont know what they were thinking or listening to when they were influenced to do a glam rock album, but I have no other word than Disgusted to describe this band. Its not just this album either, its all Sinergy albums. Kim sounds like she's got King Diamond or new S.O.D. in her head. Laiho's guitar work is ok but by far not as impressive as Bodom's. Strombald's choice to do drumming on the album?? I mean come on whats up with that? All in all I would have to say I've taken more impressive dumps than this band. Thank you and evil salutations.

Music lacks direction and a sense of feeling.... Kims vocals are terrable... she sings but it isnt very forceful... Its like she is singing but not really putting all of her feeling into it... good guitar work but that isnt enough to save this cd. Sorry guys mabye next time you will do better.