Morning - Inside


Year of Release: 2003
Label: independent
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 26:32:00

Inside is the third EP from the Dutch Dream Metal formation Morning. In the past year they had one important change in the line-up: guitar player Gilles Van Hoof has left the band and Bas Rensen and Martijn Brauwers, both on guitar. As a result of much live performing, they have a solid reputation as a live band, but also on CD they have improved, compared to the last album, Circle Of Power.

Opening and title track "Inside," begins with a piano intro, but is followed with shredding guitars, and great vocals by Saskia Van Heugten, who sounds a lot better than on Circle Of Power. This time the vocals and the music sound as a whole, thus doing the sound of the band more credit. Another improvement, already seen in the first song, but also throughout the album, is the compositions sound better, more mature. In two tracks they have also used a choir, which adds to the atmosphere and to the "dream metal" description. The spacey keyboards by Stijn Bannier, which I loved on the previous album, are prominently present on Inside, which is another good thing.

"You're Setting Fire" has become my favourite track, for its dark mood and fantastic vocals by Saskia and crunchy guitars. "Kill The Silence" is beyond a doubt a great song: Stunning guitar work in the beginning, heavy riffing later on, superb vocals, changes in tempo and melody and good synth work. The last track on the album shows the Gothic side of Morning, as it opens with a choir and whispers, followed by an opera voice and the crushing guitars. Although Saskia Van Heugten is no Floor Jansen or Sharon den Adel, she sounds very good! "Stop Drawing" is definitely one of the best songs of the album.

Besides the improvements in composing and sound, also the artwork looks better than the previous album. However, there are some points of attention to the album. Although the production is better, there still is work to do. At times the guitars do not sound as they should, which also goes for the drum sound. The vocals do sound lots better, which is good, as Saskia is a fresh new voice. No opera, but more a metal singer. End conclusion of Inside: A great album, on which the band can be proud. Maybe with a good producer, they will sound even better, so let's wait and see what the future will bring. But Inside is an album well added to your collection.

This CD is no longer available -PW ed.

Similar Bands: The Gathering, Sun Caged

The CD is now unavailable (only 200 were pressed); but the songs are on their debut Hour Of Joy (2005)

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


Tracklisting:
Inside / When Shadows Dance In Light / You're Setting Fire / Kill The Silence / Stop Drawing

Musicians:
Saskia Van Heugten - vocals
Martijn Brauwers - guitars
Bas Rensen - guitars
Pol Bannier - bass
Mauro Pi - drums
Stijn Bannier - synths

Discography:
Little Moves (demo ep) (2001)
Circle Of Power (demo ep) (2002)
Inside (demo ep) (2003)
Hour Of Joy (2005)
Moments Of Truth (2007)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin NL

Added: January 7th 2005
Reviewer: Marcel Haster
Score:
Artist website: www.morning.nl
Hits: 1824
Language: english

  

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