Rough Edge: Magica CD Reviews

MAGICA

"Wolves and Witches" (AFM; 2008)

Reviewed by Metal Mark

Magica often get the label of "symphonic metal" but I think "symphonic power metal" might be more appropriate. They have a female vocalist and a lot keyboards, but this act really has their feet firmly entrenched in power metal basics. That's good because that helps balance the vocals and keyboards. Inevitably, the sounds do compliment each other.

My first exposure to this band was 2007's "Hereafter" which I enjoyed but felt that they sounded not unlike gothic metal from almost a decade ago. Not a whole lot has changed since that album as far as the band moving ahead. However, they are even more solid at what they do which is piece together a brand of metal that's both heavy and melodic without either side swallowing the other. The production plays a major part in that undertaking. The guitars are heavy enough to give their sound an edge and the keys and vocals add depth and atmosphere.

The only aspect of this disc that bothered me was that Magica doesn't always have a handle on the song structure. They know how to start and they know how to vary the sounds early on. Where they fall short is somewhere around the middle. It is there they seem to lose sight of where to go next. On several songs, they just wander along for longer than they really needed to. I mean, there are still some decent sounds coming out, but the direction seems to have veered off. That caused my attention to veer off which is not something any band should want to have happen.

Still, Magica has a lot going for them on "Magica." They do a fine juggling act while managing to pull a great sound from their various talents.

For more information, check out http://www.myspace.com/magicaband.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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