H R H - R E V I E W S

Octavia Sperati
Grace Submerged Candlelight Records

Comments: The second album from Bergen, Norway’s Octavia Sperati is entitled Grace Submerged. It is comparable to the likes of Tristania, Echoes of Eternity or even Lacuna Coil, with slightly harder edges.

The sultry female voice of Silje Wergeland leads this metal band forward and at times backwards into the light. The critics describe this band as doom inspired Goth metal, but the doom is barely audible with the angelic pipes and sexy delivery from Silje.

But this band has way more appeal then just Silje; the band has only one male member the drummer Ivar. The rest are lovely Norwegian ladies, though you would never know that it wasn’t a group of smelly boys ripping the strings, as Gyri and Bodil handle their business on the axes for sure. More then just a group of extremely hot and wicked ladies, they lay down one cool melody after another, and that’s how the album ultimately succeeds.

The album starts with the dark eerie noises and then the synthesizers pick up the Gothic undertones. Then the guitars start ripping apart the silence and finally the sultry Silje brings the goods. This track is entitled “Provenance of Hate” and is a harbinger of things to come.

Up next Silje sings slowly and deeply on “Deprivation” as the enticement turns vicious and nasty with the riffs. Then the harmonizing in the sung chorus breaks in next and the eerie doom inspired guitar tones combined with the keys are very well done.

“Guilty Am I” starts with a brooding deep bass tone and guitar riffs then pretty vocals light the sky again. This track is the most “gloomy” as well and amazes the listener to hear beautiful chicks tear up the doom metal tones. What in the world is cooler then a group of Goth ripped nylon wearing daisy’s not only loving but successfully performing seep dark metal.

“Don’t believe a word” is a pretty piano led piece that shows Silje can sing as well as terrorize. The contrast with the rest of the songs really makes it work.
The rest of the album the ladies continue to kick you in the teeth but never forget the melodies or well built songs. Finally we have found some ladies that really understand and play real metal. A few guitar solos would make this album a classic but it still stands strongly on its own.

Folks this is a fun, unique and cool record.

Band Members:
Silje Wergeland - Vocals
Trine C. Johansen - Bass
Gyri S. Losnegaard - Guitar
Bodil Myklebust - Guitar
Ivar Alver - Drums
Tone Midtgaard – Synth

Track Listing:1.
Provenance of Hate
2. Deprivation
3. Guilty Am I
4. Don't Believe A Word
5. As Fire Swept Clean the Earth
6. Moonlit
7. Going North
8. ...And Then the World Froze
9. The Final Rest
10. Submerged

Hardrock Haven rating: 7.6/10