They certainly have the talent.

Female-Fronted Symphonic acts are hardly an endangered species these days, however finding one from the US where the lady in question, Heather Michele, is also a growler...well that's less expected. The same comment can't be expressed for the music on this debut from Sacramento's Graveshadow; it is a firm diet of Nightwish (mainly latter day, but with a sprinkling of the early years), Delain, Within Temptation and Leaves' Eyes that is administered and adhered to. Hence 'Nocturnal Resurrection' would fit neatly into that well-worn mold, if not for the vocals.

In clean mode Michele is a talented lass with a serious surge of power and crystal clear delivery that avoids the Operatic end of the spectrum. On the flip side, her throat-bashing bursts are convincing and add a certain dark hue to an otherwise bright, if toughened up outlook. But with that said, a little more variance in her delivery still wouldn't go amiss, the clean-growl-clean-growl-clean ethos evident a little too often; 'Lycan Lust' proving that when a darting vocal melody is utilised, this young lady really comes into her own. The song itself is a highlight, the razor sharp riffs and high in the mix (as they are throughout) keyboards bursting with bombast and controlled ferocity.

Add in 'Blink', where Ralf Scheepers of Primal Fear guests superbly, and you have proof that when Graveshadow hit their stride, they prove a match for anyone. For Doctor Who fans, this track will prove intriguing; the lyrics are based around the show's Weeping Angels (one of the best baddies of the reboot), with even the good Doctor himself also getting a mention, as does the show's title music melody which is neatly and unexpectedly referenced.

It would be a stretch to suggest that Graveshadow are offering anything radical on 'Nocturnal Resurrection'. However, in a genre fit to bursting with new acts and albums (just check out the amount of Symphonic/Female-Fronted releases reviewed this issue for proof) having a unique selling point is pretty much essential. In Michele's varied and convincing vocals, Graveshadow may have exactly that.

Let's hope they are given enough time to evolve into a band with an equally individual musical attack. They certainly have the talent.

Steven Reid