Unremarkable - A review of Akoma's Revangels

Akoma's Revangels is a quite dull affair and even somewhat disappointing considering the band has been around for more than a decade and is signed to a quite big metal label. The band offers bland symphonic metal with a focus on simplistic keyboard patterns and piano sounds as well as angelic female vocals. Since both seem to be performed by Tanya Bell, this band could almost be called a solo project. 

Everything else is as uninspired as it gets. The drum patterns are repetitive, predictable and exchangeable and don't unfold any dynamics. The bass guitar is mostly inaudible or just plods along to the guitar play. The guitar play however is the worst offender. The band has two guitar players which isn't obvious since they are both playing the very same rhythms and patterns and aren't distinguishable whatsoever. There aren't any guitar solos on this album and all we get are basic and boring rhythms that wouldn't even make it onto an industrial gothic record of the nineties because they would be too simplistic. 

The production is also boring and doesn't make the different instruments stand out. Atrocity's Alexander Krull helmed that process and Akoma recalls a band he produced about a decade ago called Atargatis but only a very weak copy of it. Atrocity drummer Joris Nijenhuis, usually a potent musician, helped out on this album but didn't add anything special to an album that would have needed some of his energy and skills. Alexander Krull's then-wife Liv Kristine also made an unremarkable appearance as a background singer for this album's bland title track. Her voice should have contrasted the lead singer's for a more dynamic experience but the final result is another missed occasion.

If I had to point out a positive element, I would mention the more mystique and folk-inspired half-ballad ''Bittersweet Memories'' which is ironically the only re-recorded song. Maybe it could be worth to check out the band's early material because the new one is shallow without any exceptions. 

Akoma's Revangels isn't terrible but simply bland. I could only imagine faithful collectors of any type of female fronted symphonic metal appreciate this record slightly. I pretty much forgot what I had heard right after finishing this album. The only interesting elements are the re-recorded song and the cover artwork. If Akoma wants to make an impact, it should build a stronger group of musicians and producers around the talented singer and keyboard player Tanya Bell.

Final rating: 50%