REVIEW: FATIMA HILL - AION

 

FATIMA HILL - AION (Worldchaos Prods., 2002)

Produced by Ajio Kino

Recorded at Crew Studio, providence Studio and Studio Ride.

Artwork by Takamichi Koeda

Tracks: 1- Ares Dragon, 2- Babel Dune, 3- The Black Bat, 4- Aeon, 5- Ultimata, 6- Other, 7- Stigmata, 8- The Song for Beatrice part 3 / the Se ven Songs

Fatima Hill is one of the best bands to come from Japan (I also like a lot other Japanese bands like Sigh or Manipulated Slaves). They are a heavy metal band with many elements of eighties thrash and a lot of keyboards and orchestration. On this recording they feature eight elaborated tracks which are a big step forward from their previous album )specially in sound, I consider this one much better).I liked specially the way in which Takamichi Koeda´s keyboards are mixed up in the front and the combination that he does when the guitars make the more melodic solos (Takamichi orchestrates the solos with interesting passages). Yuko´s vocals are great and she does not abuse the high pitched tones, using a lot of vibratos in the phrases. The recording is really well mixed and that adds a lot to the final result. If you like classical metal with some new elements, then check this band. Favorite tracks: "The Black Bat", "Ares Dragon" and "Stigmata". Contact: worldkdm@syd.odn.ne.jp or www.fatima-hill.com