Eilera
Fusion Spinefarm Records

by Hannah Zimmerman
Staff Writer

Comments: Take Jewel’s voice and Bjork’s vocal style layered on top of metal music with a Classical music influence, and you get Eilera’s melodic metal record Fusion. The record starts off on a high, yet catchy note with “Non Merci.” Eilera’s clear, feminine voice, more typical of folk music is fused with the pounding beats and screeching guitars of metal along with the classical sounds of the strings. These two very opposite styles of music combine to create a haunting yet captivating sound.

Another song to check out on the album (all songs are available for listening on her website) would be “Healing Process.” It is here where she seems to get in touch with her inner Bjork. She rambles/sings through clenched teeth in a kind of dying cat sort of voice about wanting “sex rather than love,” creating a slightly creepy song dripping with sex.

The song “Keep our Heaven,” is worth a listen. It starts off with her singing in a way reminiscent of the Gregorian Chant’s of the Middle Ages. It goes into your typical rock beat though, and is somewhat hard to distinguish from the rest of the songs on the record.

At times this CD seems like one really long song. Although there are some parts of this really long song that are better then others, all together it is pretty repetitive. Lot’s of layers of her droning style singing on top of a rock band, with strings just to add that extra bit. The title, Fusion, says it all, as it is a fusion of many aspects and genres of the music world. Is it worth going out and buying? Maybe, there are a few really good tracks on this album, but check out her website first as Fusion is an acquired taste.

www.eilera.com

Musicians:
Vocals: Eilera
Guitars: Loïc Tézénas
Programming: Eilera & Loïc Tézénas
Fiddle: Tony Canton, Ian McCamy
Violins: Laura Airola, Kukka Lehto, Ilkka Lehtonen, Benjamin Hirschowitsch
Cello: Max Lilja
Double Bass: Mikko Moilanen, Tomi Harrivaara
Bass: Tommi Saarikivi, Pasi Heikkilä
Drums: Antti Lehtinen

Track listing:
01. Non Merci
02. In the Present
03. Healing Process
04. Fusion
05. Addicted
06. The Angel You Love, The Angel You Hate
07. Keep Our Heaven
08. Back to the Essentials
09. Free... Are You?
10. September

HRH rating: 6/10