NAIO SSAION „Out Loud”

Music: Symphonic Metal/Goth
Website: http://www.naiossaion.com
Country: Slovenia
Duration: 43:50
Cool songs: none

The once fresh concept of a metal band with a female singer is gradually becoming stale. With the success of bands like LACUNA COIL, EVANESCENCE, and most recently—ARCH ENEMY, labels are in a foot race to sign what may be the next “EVANESCENCE.” Some bands of this sub-genre are quite remarkable like NIGHTWISH and LEAVES’ EYE. These bands are special because of the talented divas they push to the front of the mix. A band with an unexceptional female vocalist is just a novelty act, hence Slovenia’s NAIO SSAION.

The said band’s latest offering to the masses “Out Loud’” features Barbara whose voice is a little too Eastern European accented for American listeners to take seriously. Like the foreign exchange student who talks during a class discussion in high school, Barbara’s meanings are lost in the silliness of how her voice sounds. Her inability to reach beyond a one-dimensional vocal range also does not help.

Another point of novelty is Rok’s synthesized violin. It’s a good idea, but it does not come across too well when played to the down-tuned, mall metal groove that most metal fans (and former nu-metal bands) are trying to get away from. Rok would have been an excellent stunt devil for Poindexter during the Greek Games on the classic comedy “Revenge of the Nerds,” though.

2006 is expected to be a great year for female-fronted metal with, first and foremost, the return of LACUNA COIL and LULLACRY. Look for those two artists’ CD on the shelves of most stores that carry music. NAIO SSAION should be there, too, only in the $1.99 used bin.

note: 2/10

Tracklist

1. Static
2. The Mirror
3. Teen
4. Miss You
5. Bow Link in E Minor
6. N.SS
7. Shut Up
8. Blah-Blah
9. Blind Date
10. Can't You Hear
11. At Ease
12. Yours Faithfully
13. Out of the Great Book of Fairytales

Line-up

barbara: vocals
rok : violin
tine: guitar
luka: guitar
lenart: bass
mic : drums