Supremacy - Angel

Year of Release: 2003
Label: Metal Warriors
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 19:31:00

Double, double, toil and trouble. Australia's Supremacy, the "witches from the West," are an all-female metal band which mixes a dark, melodic thrash sound with a gothic attitude, producing something I'm still not 100% decided on. On one hand, they're a bit of fun to listen to and the music is pretty good, even if one does feel like one should be wearing a pointy black hat to fully appreciate it. On the other, it's some of the cheesiest material I've ever heard or ? with the addition of two video clips on this single ? seen.

In the past, Supremacy has been more thrash-oriented, with more of the gravelly growling vocals and a heavier sound; on this four-track single, we've shifted to a bigger, orchestrated sound, incorporating more keyboards as well as some strings, and mostly clean vocals. It's interesting to note that while I vastly prefer the new sound and style, I think Jadi-Anne (lead vocals) is actually better suited to the harsher thrash vocals. Her clean voice reminds me of artists like Shirley Manson (Garbage) or Courtney Love, with that sort of moaning quality that sets my teeth slightly on edge. The contrast can be illustrated by listening to "Inner Truth," which features both vocal techniques (as well as a guest appearance by Edguy's Tobias Sammet, who is vocally lovely as always). The verse is spoken word, harsh and sharp, and Jadi-Anne sounds great ? vicious; the chorus is sung, and that sighing voice, though sweet in tone, doesn't do a lot for me.

Back to the overall sound, and here the band has a lot going for them. With a very dark timbre, enhanced by the string section (Julie on violin and Emily on cello), it's quite delicious. The three-person guitar section is wonderfully chunky, with Sonya (rhythm), Bec (bass), and led by the talented Monika Dee (who also plays keys). Completing the lineup is Bron, whose drumming is just the way I like it ? bold and not content to blend in to the back of the band.

Though the actual songwriting is nothing extraordinary and, as mentioned, extremely cheesy, the quality of the sound and production does make it a reasonable listen. The lyrics are a bit clichéd and occasionally get on my nerves, such as in the title track "Angel," which is a fairly standard angsty song about lust and pain (the accompanying video clip was filmed in a fetish house). Thus the fourth track, an instrumental version of this song, is much more entertaining ? no singing and no lyrics. Also included is a video clip of one of their earlier and heavier songs, "Blessed Be" from the 2001 album of the same name. In keeping with my opinions on their material, I don't like this as much, though Jadi-Anne's thrash vocals are again quite good.

My verdict? Though it's really not my thing ? hence the low score ? there will be people who'll absolutely devour this, because I know the things that may irritate me will be inconsequential to others. The sound is good enough that it makes up for a number of sins, and hey, if the witchy role-playing image is your fun thing, go for it.

[This review originally appeared November 2003 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]

Tracklisting:
Angel / Inner Truth / Salted Wounds / Angel (Instrumental) / Video clip: Angel / Video clip: Blessed Be

Musicians:
Jadi-Anne - vocals
Monika Dee - guitars, keyboards
Julie - violin
Emily - cello
Sonya - rhythm guitar
Bec - bass
Bron - drums

Guest:

Tobias Sammet - vocals

Discography:
Short End Fuse (ep) (1997)
Blessed Be (2001)
Angel (ep) (2003)

Genre: Other

Origin AU

Added: January 31st 2005
Reviewer: Karyn Hamilton
Score:
Artist website: www.supremacy.com.au
Hits: 1726
Language: english