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Life Is Not Beautiful

    
       
       
       
     
             
Arion are a symphonic power metal band from Finland, formed in 2011 by drummer Topias Kupiainen and keyboardist Arttu Vauhkonen, with guitarist Livo Kaipainen, bassist Georgi Velinov and vocalist Viljami Holopainen rounding off the band. In 2013 the band released the E.P. 'New Dawn', with their first full length offering 'Last Of Us' released in 2014. Vocalist Viljami amicably left the band in 2015 and was replaced with Lassi Vaaranen. Three single releases followed, including 'At The Break Of Dawn', featuring Amaranthe singer Elize Ryd, culminating in the release of the bands sophomore album 'Life Is Not Beautiful' in 2018.    
             
Armed with their new singer, Arion began the next chapter of their career in breath taking style with the release of their second album. Building on their power metal roots, 'Life Is Not Beautiful' adds a huge amount of the symphonic to the mix, resulting in a glorious and epic atmosphere as the album progresses. Opening with the two minute instrumental 'The End Of The Fall', it builds the atmosphere and tension, a tension that is immediately released when 'No One Stands In My Way' thunders into life and canters on, more heavy metal than symphonic, but nonetheless a cracking opening salvo. Next up is the single featuring Amaranthe singer Elize Ryd, 'At The Break Of Dawn'. And what a fucking song it is... Just wow... Pace, power and electrifying energy pushes 'At The Break Of Dawn' along at blistering speed. Head bangers will delight at this one, fast and furious, just how we like it.    
             
There is a fair mix of power metal gems and mid tempo almost ballad like songs that will appeal to a wide array of fans, signalling the intent of Arion to force their way to the front of the worldwide power metal scene. 'The Last Sacrifice' brings a huge touch of the epic style of heavy metal to the album, glorious as it powers on, foot on the monitor style as it gallops on by. Just the right amount of melodic is blended in too. Entering ballad territory (not for the first time), 'Through Your Falling Tears' is a breather from the all out energetic pace. Get those lighters out, hold them high and sway in time to the keyboard led epic. 'Through Your Falling Tears' is a very emotional and passionate ballad, and actually induces goose bumps to appear... Electrifying pace returns to the album in emphatic style with the bombastic 'Unforgivable', leaving scorch marks in the Earth as it scorches on by. The title is chant-able as the chorus hits you fair and square in the middle of the forehead.    
             
"punish you" may sound like what an S&M mistress would do to her clients, and if she was doing it while 'Punish You' was playing in the background, then oh my God, you'd be in for a world of hurt... 'Punish You' is a brutal and aggressive foray of fiery power metal, delivered at an exceptionally quick pace. A pace that is kept going with the title song 'Life Is Not Beautiful'. Storming on, 'Life Is Not Beautiful' is a heavy foot stomp of addictive power metal that will give lesser mortals severe headaches for months to come. The final song 'Last One Falls', is the second ballad the album has to offer, and is another lighters held high, emotional journey of passion. There is actually three bonus songs included on the album, re-recorded versions of songs that appeared on 'Last Of Us', the bands first album. 'Seven', a thunderously fast paced epic, 'Last Of Us', a heavy mid tempo power ballad, and 'I Am The Storm', a fiery and furious power metal foray.    
             
Overall, an addictive and infectious journey through the genres of power metal and heavy rock.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for BJF Media    
             
Review is also featured at Metal Gods TV    
             
             
Other Reviews    
             

           
           
Vultures Die Alone      
           
"a fast paced and fairly aggressive gallop of heavy metal come power metal come symphonic metal, Arion evolving their sound with their latest release" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             
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