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Vultures Die Alone

    
       
       
       
     
             
Arion are a symphonic power metal band from Finland, formed in 2011 by drummer Topias Kupiainen and keyboardist Arttu Vauhkonen. The band released their debut E.P. 'New Dawn' in 2013, with their debut album 'Last Of Us' emerging in 2014. Replacing their singer in 2015, the band released three singles over the next two years, 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. 'Vultures Die Alone' is the bands third album, and was released in 2021.    
             
Featuring a harder, more heavy metal sound, Arion up the tempo and energy levels with their third release 'Vultures Die Alone' - becoming a symphonic heavy/power metal band! Two special guest singers appear on the new album too - Noora Louhimo (Battle Beast) and Susanna Alexandra (Cyan Kicks). The album comes storming out of the blocks, with the all out power metal stomper 'Out Of My Life'. Charging forth like a bull in a china shop, Arion are on top form, blasting massive holes in the stratosphere with 'Out Of My Life' exploding like the Times Square new year celebrations. Emphatically entering symphonic power metal territory 'Break My Chains' hits quick and very hard. The signature sound of the Finnish metallers rises high and mighty, as 'Break My Chains' bustles on. The first of the two guest singers Noora Louhimo, makes her appearance, and her beast of a voice heard, with the fast paced high tempo, high energy romp 'Bloodline'. Delivered at a breath taking pace with a huge amount of intent and purpose, 'Bloodline' is highly melodic over the chorus break, and very catchy to boot.    
             
The breathless intensity doesn't let up for a second, with 'I'm Here To Save You' powering majestically on. The heaviness compared to the bands previous release is very noticeable, with 'Vultures Die Alone' attracting the traditional metallers, along with the symphonic power metal brigade. Arion are evolving and pushing the barriers of their soundscape further than ever before. Hitting the brakes, 'In The Name Of Love' slows the pace and tempo right down to power ballad level - a very heavy power ballad at that. Lighters will be lit and held very high to this one, which also features the second of the two guest singers, Susanna Alexandra. A cracking mellower moment, 'In The Name Of Love' is emotion and tension fuelled, giving listeners a breather from the blistering pace. For the pace returns with a vengeance for 'A Vulture Dies Alone', blending a slower tempo with the albums overall high tempo gallop - Arion doing a cracking job of straddling the boundary between the power and the traditional, heavy metal genres. With a stark change in sound, 'I Love To Be Your Enemy' incorporates elements of erm, ahem, metalcore. But only a little - a hint in the vocals, a touch in the rhythm, and a sprinkling overall. But the under current thankfully, is still Arion. A definite sit up and take notice moment, it's a bold, as well as a brave, venture outside the bands comfort zone - and it works! The band are definitely not afraid to experiment with their sound.    
             
And to one of the highlights of the album, 'Where The Ocean Greets The Sky'. The only song that exceeds five minutes in length - is also an instrumental. Mellow and breezy as it begins, the anticipation level is increased massively by the crescendo building trot, the inclusion of atmospheric and tension filled passages, and the wait for vocals that never comes. Instead, 'Where The Ocean Greets The Sky' gets heavier and heavier the longer it runs, turning into a pulsating and throbbing mix of symphonic power, and heavy metal. An old school NWOBHM sounding guitar riff gives life to the fast paced 'I Don't Fear You'. A foot on the monitor vibe is heavily felt, as 'I Don't Fear You' gallops on, weaving a thunderous path through the symphonic, the power, and, the traditional metal genres. The album is brought to a close with the hymn-like and mellow 'Until Eternity Ends'. Featuring a highly atmospheric feel, 'Until Eternity Ends' is kind of a show stopping end, and is gonna be one helluva experience at a live performance.    
             
Overall, a fast paced and fairly aggressive gallop of heavy metal come power metal come symphonic metal, Arion evolving their sound with their latest release.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Metal Gods TV    
             
             
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