CarmeriaTo Lead The Blind (Single)

It’s gentle, it’s dark, it’s mysterious, it’s… unusual. From Sydney’s Carmeria comes a sophisticated yet illusive symphonic metal offering in their latest single, To Lead The Blind.

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And that’s the unusual part–an Australian symphonic goth metal band. Who’d have thunk?

Generally a genre reserved for our Nordic and Scandinavian brothers and sisters, Carmeria put their best foot forward as they take on an often complex and in-depth sound, adding in each members’ respective influences, drawn only from other metal subgenres. Safe to say, then, that To Lead The Blind is not all Nightwish-esque revelry. The track does run with some power metal influences in the double time drums and bass, giving the bold darkness of the soundscape an unexpected oomph.

The subtle mishmash of metal in To Lead The Blind doesn’t rely entirely on elements of symphonic metal, and that works in Carmeria’s favour.

The best bit about this release is the juxtaposition between the ferocious riffs and the orchestral edge, not to mention the dynamic vocals. And that’s something to be found in the song’s narrative, too. Painting a picture of strength and reliance as and of an unknown source, Carmeria diverted that air of secrecy into the song’s thematic interest, too. The subtle mishmash of metal in To Lead The Blind doesn’t rely entirely on elements of symphonic metal, and that works in Carmeria’s favour. Ultimately, it points toward an aptness for experimentation that was heard in previous singles Morningstar and Celestia, and will hopefully continue in the band’s forthcoming EP, Advenae.

STICK THIS NEXT TO: Kamelot, Epica, Nightwish