Customer Reviews

Flame Within

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you liked the first album, you will definitely love this one. It's got so much passion and it's a very beautiful album to listen to and sometimes I feel like it brings me to tears!! I think they built on to this album what the last one lacked, and I think this one sounds more powerful; don't get me wrong though, both albums are excellent. Worth every cent!!!! Thanks so much for coming back Stream of Passion!! Let the flame within be exposed and released!!!

The Flame Within is Stream of Passion's second studio album released on May 27, 2009.

It is the follow-up to their debut album, Embrace the Storm.

Many of the songs are very atmospheric. Violins and keyboards blend very well on each track with Marcelo's powerful voice.

In fact, Marcelo Bovio plays violin on several tracks.

Also, she was a founding member of the Mexican band Elfonia.

This is a five star album!

Stream of Passion makes a good showing with their new CD 'The Flame Within', but the band is attempting to enter into a genre that is already dominated by current bands like Nightwish, Within Temptation, and Epica, and this CD just doesn't measure up to the standard set by these three bands. It lacks the raw power and mystical quality that the three dominating bands have in abundance, however it does make for a good listen and has a few really impressive tracks.

Though not as good as their last offering, the latest SoP release is a good effort considering this is the first time this group has actually written songs together after breaking off from their fearless leader a few years ago. Keep your eyes on this band, they have great ideas. I think they will continue to break new ground.

Well, it's already a known fact that Marcela Bovio's voice is hauntingly beautiful throughout "The Flame Within" as well as on "Embrace the Storm". One reviewer commented that Stream of Passion was interesting to listen to, but bands such as Nightwish and Epica convey the style of Gothic Metal and Darkwave so much better than SOP. One important fact had been omitted from this review as well as other favorable reviews was that of aural intimacy. Yes, SOP has a far more sensitive sound than Nightwish or Epica could ever hope for! The music was written entirely to showcase the rich, creamy sweetness of Marcela Bovia's voice. When she sings, it is as if she is singing directly to the listener, creating emotionally charged, aural love so-to-speak, unlike that of Epica who always seem to get lost in over-production. Even with thick instrumental production, Marcela maintains an integral part of SOP, not ever getting buried in choral and orchestral backings or multi-layered metal guitar riffing! Stream is most successful building textural musical patterns around Marcela's gorgeous voice as is evident on "Wherever You Are", "Open Your Eyes", and "Embrace the Storm" from their first studio release. Actually, I think SOP pulled this off better here with "Embrace the Storm", but I had a hard time with Lori Linstruth's overuse of her whammy bar to the point of obnoxiousness, even though I highly regard her as an accomplished and talented guitarist! Stephan Schultz's lead guitar wizzardry is a welcomed replacement on "The Flame Within", but I think Arjen Anthony Lucassen will be sadly missed in the long run, especially his tunesmithing, as I am partial to "Embrace the Storm"! Either way, I found it necessary to obtain all of SOP's CD's to date and I look forward to another CD, hopefully in the near future!"The Flame Within" is still a great album in it's own right, and if you can focus on the intimacy of Marcela's vocals and how personal they actually become,in contrast to the awesome intensity that the band possesses, all will fall into place for you. For now, just allow the music of Stream of Passion to envelop, wrap around you, and stimulate all of your senses! SOP will not disappoint!

OK let me explain my tag line because it relates directly to my thoughts on this album. You see I sometimes work a second job stacking shelves at my local supermarket on weekends for a few extra dollars and I love listening to any new discs I've bought on my trusty i-pod while doing so. But to tell the truth the female fronted symphonic metal sub-genre doesn't exactly do well in this setting, it's twee arrangements and the at times overuse of orchestral/keyboard arrangements allied with the high end caterwauling of the singers just doesn't cut it when you are doing manual labour.

And that's where this album comes in. It's sturdy. It has gentle passages and lots of, well, keyboard metal, but the production feels strong, full bodied and with a voice a few octaves more into the human realm than many of her competitors Marcela Bovio is a worthy ringmaster. Taken as a whole this album - which seems somehow appropriate - sounds like the work of a band, and given the groups status as effectively a project put together by Arjen Lucassen that has now taken on a life of its' own that is a good thing. In fact on my copy there is a sticker on the front cover with a quote by Lucassen stating that "....after hearing the excellent `The Flame Within' it's clear that I'm not needed at all!" A little part of me wants to believe that darn near any band or project could use some of his talent but I understand what he is getting at. And perhaps the more straight forward structures of many of these tracks benefit in a way from his absence in a sense.

Overall an album of quality that any fan of the genre should pick up as given it's consistency it should reward both the casual and more observant listener with its melodies, connective structures and pleasant production values.

what can i say

the band really improved over their last album in every way possible

the lyrics are very well written and the amazing vocals by marcela will

take you to another world

i can't think of any bad track on this album. all of them are amazing

especially the first half of the album

the standout songs for me were:

( the art of loss - when you hurt me the most - run away - far and apart - in the end )

i can't recommend this album enough and i'm 100% sure everyone will find

something to like in this album just give it a chance

This is definitely one of the best CDs I have received. The service was fast and efficient and the product arrived in excellent condition. I'm lovin' it!

What a drama...I placed an order for this album with our local record shop, waited four weeks and nothing happens. So I ordered from this site and got it within 2 weeks. The album is much better than the previous ETS cos this new TFW sounds more complete and fulfilling as a band. MB sounds more confident and singing much better with a solid backing plus a much better looking cd cover. All the songs are good. Its worth the wait.

This album is ok but I ,personally, strongly prefer her vocals on the first album. which it seems to reach that a couple times here but I would deffinatly say their first was the best....maybe having the vocals with a little harder music they may be able to compete with nightwish and all them.