WILDPATH “Underneath” (2011)
Label : Brennus

Tracklist:
Unearthed
Dive
Reviver
The Craft
Anchored
Timeworn
Dreaming Doll
Buried Moon
Frozen
X
Crystallized
Underneath
bonus track

“…and the Princess had for her godmothers all the Fairies they could find in the whole kingdom (they found seven), that every one of them might give her a gift, as was the custom of Fairies in those days, and that by this means the Princess might have all the perfections imaginable.  
In the meantime all the Fairies began to give their gifts to the Princess. The youngest gave her gift, that she should be the most beautiful person in the world; the next, that she should have the wit of an angel; the third, that she should have a wonderful grace in every thing she did; the fourth, that she should dance perfectly well; the fifth, that she should sing like a nightingale; and the sixth, that she should play upon all kinds of music to the utmost perfection.”
(Charles Perrault)

Don’t be afraid, THIS IS a Fairytale-

The hope was acceptable, devour is better.
Third album of the French band WILDPATH, Underneath is as a proud  answer to the excellence of the transalpine or Batavian symphonic metal, an evidence that today Hexagon has a marvellous band which, without resting on its laurels (the previous “Non Omnis Moriar” outlined the future table) knows to take risks (small electro, bluesy, dark or jazzy keys here and there) and assert themselves as unbeatabe master-standard.

If you’ve read my previous review (of the last album of Nightwish…) you will understand why all this fun, this indefinissable charm leaner through listening to this compact gift.
Formed by Alexis Garsault (keyboards) and Olivier Caron (lead guitar) in 2001, and as a spokesman the sublime voice, not less electrifiyng Marjolaine Bernard, absolute goddess of this musical Cathedral (and God, as “Pierrelaye” suddenly missing!), the metal company goes towards the perfection.

Heavy Metal Symphony where inspired souls caress each note and each arpege, this sincerity and this passion flows like honey in the throat, hearing the delectation for the days of loved Epica, Within Temptation, or even Amberian Dawn with these funky vocalizations and these electric deflagrations, “malmsteenian” solos and keyboards that would not repudiate Richard Andersson, glorified by pirouetting orchestration reminiscents of the best of Hans Zimmer where you find the absolute purity of Cristiano Filippini (a review coming up soon, indeed…). With the bombastic and eloquent intro, the mass is said.

Huge, in a word: GREAT!
“Underneath” is an earthquake, an eruption of  talent at its peak who will not fail to succumb to the poisonous charm of this entity.  Clear production for the genus, the troubadours of modern times to express themselves freely allowing years smothering to the others, leaving then all freedom to the (I have said) amazing & inspired vocal melodies of levitation, totally overpowering and wonderful art artist. No doubt, if the Angels Sing, they for sure have the voice of Marjolaine…

Bodybuilded ambiances, medieval choirs or disturbing screams (“The Craft”, “X” or “Crystallized”), are contained with an incredible ease of this still young band. An absolute manifest of a musical engraved score by a feather phoenix dipped in the ink flowing of noble and pure hearts. Before this “Beautiful Metal”, you just cannot be bowing, hoping the Savior’s accolade. And for the Princess, I would do anything.

More than a revelation, a Consecration: WILDPATH.

Reviewed by MEL DELACROIX
(Proofread by Rick Palin)