I consider myself to be the websites resident AOR expert/anorak/sad bastard (delete as applicable) but since joining the website, my musical interest have been begun to broaden again. I had seen just about every rock band from every genre that  played Newcastle from 1985-1996 (and a few since then!)from the likes of the Moody Blues to Slayer. The main problem I have always had with the heavier bands is not the music but the singers, if I can understand the lyrics I’m a happy chap. 

 Which brings me neatly to Stream Of Passion. Arjen Lucassen is best know for the Ayeron project albums that have featured a variety of different vocalists, think Gary Hughes' Once And Future King albums only much more musically adventurous and you get the idea. Well Stream Of Passion grew from the last Ayeron rock opera, 'The Human Equation' where Lucassen ran a competition for one of his fans to perform a track on the album and the winner was Marcela Bovio. The band was thus built around Lucassen's demos with the addition of Bovio's lyrics and then the rest of the band were recruited via Lucassen's website. Guitarist Lori Linstruth is American but lives in Switzerland and  she is a truly incredible guitarist, drummer Davy Mickers is from Holland as is bass player Johan Van Stratum whilst keyboard player Alejandro Millian is from Mexico the same country from which Marcela Bovio hails. A multi national band to say the least and even more impressive when you consider that the band had not met until the album was recorded. 

The album opens with 'Spellbound' which features Davy Mickers drums to the front with ethereal keyboards and then Marcela Bovio vocals coming almost operatic in style on top as the track builds and builds until the guitars kick in,  a stunning opening track and the strings have that Arabian feel again!. Track 2 Passion is the bands single and video and it’s easy to see why with its Metallica inspired riff and the laid back passages alternating in almost prog-goth fashion. This is what Metallica wanted to do with S&M!  

'Deceiver' opens with a bass thumping and delicate piano overlays and is another track that builds and builds and once again can only be described as stunning, the mixture of heavy guitars, keyboards and  Bovio's vocals alongside violin interludes has to be heard to be believed. 'I’ll Keep On Dreaming' is the ballad of the album and is piano driven reminiscent slightly of a heavier Tori Amos circa Little Earthquakes.  

Haunted has big drums and chugging bass/guitars that bears resmblanec to the Mars movement from Holst's Planet suite. Featuring a spoken intro, in Spanish, and then goes all-acoustic before fianlly the electric guitars kick in, a varied almost prog track and one I love. 'Where Ever You Are' is a cool mid tempo track that starts off acoustical and builds once again to a climax and then, perhaps the weakest track on the albums is 'Open Your Eyes' which can be described as OK, but when compared to the rest of the album does not live up to expectations.

Things get back on track with the title track 'Embrace The Storm' which like so many other songs on offer her opens with a piano and more superlative vocals before going all mellow Stratovious on you with several changes of pace built into the arrangement. 'Breathing Again' is another laid back almost ballad type track and 'Out In The Real World' is yet another great track featuring an amazing solo courtesy of Lori Linstruth.

Nostalgia continues the piano led theme but this time brings to mind Irish songstress Enya of all people with its celtic feel and finally to round things off is Calliopeia a great was to end a great album with the drums being recorded in a single take and listening to them it’s amazing! 

As you can probably tell I love this album, Marcela Bovio operatic style vocals are exquisite to say the least and the rest of the band deliver to an equally high standard. I’ve read comparisons elsewhere with the likes of Nightwish,Lacuna Coil and Lara Lane  but basically the bands blend of rock/classical/opera/goth and power metal is music to this reviews ears.

The CD also comes with a DVD on the Inside Out release that includes a making of the album documentary ad the video for Passion together with other tasty morsels making this excellent VFM to top it all off.

Track List

Spellbound
Passion
Deceiver
I’ll Keep On Dreaming
Haunted
Wherever You Are
Open Your Eyes
Embrace The Storm
Breathing Again
Out In The Real World
Nostalagia
Calliopeia

Line Up

Marcela Bovio - Vocals/Violin
Lori Linstruth -  Guitars
Arjen lucassen -Guitars
Johan Van Stratum - bass
Alejandro Millian - Piano
Davy Micker s- Drums.