Reviewed by David Pearce

Artist – Aonia
Album – City Of Shadows Ep
Label – Unsigned
Year – 2012

Track Listing

1. City Of Shadows
2. Gift Of The Curse
3. Prophecy Of The Fallen Kingdom
4. Down The Rabbit Hole
5. Liberate Mei
6. The Song

“Aonia” is the region near the Helicon Mountain where the muses dwell. While this image sounds serene, the band’s sound is the polar opposite. Driving almost thrashy riffs juxtapose against melodic, operatic vocals from ‘a soprano with balls for a sound that is a blending of the very old and the very new, tempered steel in a velvet glove. Aonia is known for this unique sound and their dark, fantasy-esque lyrics. In the beginning, Aonia rose, phoenix-like, from the ashes of the band ‘Cathexis’, which sadly folded in 2009. Aonia formed in mid-2010, with Cathexis’ drummer and vocalist. The line-up since has changed members more often than underwear; however, with the addition of Gary on bass in late January 2012, the line-up has stabilised and the band is ready to really move forward. More recently, Aonia released their debut six tracks EP ‘City Of Shadows’ on December 2011 and it has received much critical acclaim. Furthermore, they filmed their debut video ‘Gift Of The Curse’ with Turner Media Corporation in Sheffield – released on the 17^th March, 2012, the video quickly reached over 800 hits in its first week on YouTube.

The Ep starts off with the title track City Of Shadows starts off slow with a bass intro riff then the keyboards come in with the guitars over them. Then the tempo rises and then vocals come in with purpose it is a cracking start to the Ep. The song itself has some catchy lyrics especially in the chorus. It also has some really good riffs and solos in and the vocals oh how I do love to hear a female vocalist it just gives the music a different edge cracking. The next Two songs are Gift Of The Curse and Prophecy Of The Fallen Kingdom both of these songs have some quality vocal work and lyrics also the guitar work on them are really good. With some great little riffs and solos in them. The Fourth song is Down The Rabbit Hole this song is the longest on the album at 6:10 but the quality of the song is still as good it keeps you interested all the way through with the tempo changes. The vocal work is strong on this and the guitar riffs and solos are superb. The Fifth song on the Ep is Liberate Mei starts off strong with a really good guitar riff at a quite high tempo. It has the same quality vocals as the other songs but a bit higher tempo which show the versatility of Melissa’s vocals quality song. The Sixth and final song of the Ep is simply called The Song starts off with a quality riff in which turns into another quality solo, then the vocals come in again this song is full of the quality riffs and solos as the other songs on the Ep. This is a cracking little song to finish the Ep off with.

Overall

This is a cracking little Ep by Aonia Melissa vocals are quite superb, The guitar work with the riffs and solos are outstanding. If they can keep this up I can see them going quite a long way it will be interesting to see what they can come up with in the future. But I personally think the future is bright for them just keep up the good work and they will get there I am sure of it.

7/10

Band Members

Melissa – Vocals
James – Guitar
Paul – Guitar
Gary – Bass Guitar
Keyboardist: WANTED!
Tony – Drums

Website:

http://www.aonia.co.uk

Press contact: 

Nick Taylor – nickarrantaylor@yahoo.co.uk

Booking agent:

Melissa Adams – booking@aonia.co.uk