The Wake

Twin Cities based Aesma Daeva has to be one of the most unique metal bands around. They merge together elements of classical, progressive, and metal music with female operatic vocals. The band has just released its third album The New Athens Ethos, which boasts an improvement from their first releases Here Lies One Whose Name Was Written in Water and The Eros of Frigid Beauty. Melissa Ferlaak performs beautifully on vocals. The guitar playing (John Prassas and Earl Root) on The New Athens Ethos is first-rate, a balance between classical and metal style. What truly makes this album great is the addition of the occasional trumpet (Kaylynn Brown) and flute (Andrea Vieth and Michelle Zeien), adding a certain level of class. The album also allows for sparse parts, where a wall of sound does not drown the listener, and one truly focuses on the skilled performances on guitar or vocals. Favorite tracks for me were “My Lost Melody,” Aviva I,” and “I Have Sailed With Odysseus.” The New Athens Ethos is marvelously inventive and adroitly performed. This is an essential album for fans of music that has the courage to explore new territory.