Review: MIKAELA 'Nocturne In Red'
MIKAELA is bursting into the scene in a class all her own with her debut album Nocturne In Red. Hailing from the island of Malta, the up-and-coming metal vocalist has a myriad of talents to speak to her name as a composer, lyric writer, and producer. The rising metal star has already released several singles in the past as well as her captivating EP Hear Me Out. This would only fuel and kickstart her to win such accolades such as Best New Artist of 2010, Best Female Artist, Malta's Export Artist of 2011, Vodaphone Upcoming Artist, and Berklee College Singer and Songwriter.
The artist of many musical talents has also contributed to several collaborations within the music scene such as Xirka, Martyrium, and legendary multi-instrumentalist Marco Minnemann. Now MIKAELA has returned on October 28th of this year with Nocturne In Red to shake up the current rock scene once again.
MIKAELA (MIKAELA ATTARD)- The Viper, Los Angeles Photo Credit: Mehdi Hassine
Nocturne In Red is blooming with charisma and originality from the drop. With instrumentalist Marco Minnemann on drums, Kyle Farrugia on guitar and bass, MIKAELA writing and producing, and Tue Madsen mixing and mastering her debut album, what has transpired is something brimming with fearless confidence and a work of art that is progressively beautiful.
Moments like raging single, "Bring Me Blood" immediately show us from the beginning where this record is going to go, with MIKAELA's guttural and assailing vocal talents that pepper the entire track to the infectious technical drives from the guitar and drums that really offsets the vocals nicely, "Bring Me Blood" is a terrific start to the record and brings the momentum where it needs to be for the rest of Nocturne In Red.
Other frenetic and urgent junctures such as "Disenthralled" show off MIKAELA'S multi-layered vocal control is pulled off in the best of ways. With a killer instrumental solo that is sure to please any heavy metal fans audio senses, this is sure to make anyone take a second look at this artist's newest release just from the instrumentals alone. "Disenthralled" is oozing with abstruse guitar lines and percussive genius. Something for the technical musicians to appreciate, but melodic enough for regular music fans to enjoy.
"Nightmare" had to be the golden egg of the album for many reasons. Not just because MIKAELA can be looked at as a prodigious solo metal vocalist impressively by the third track, but because of how she seamlessly can craft lyrically some of the most hauntingly beautiful yet destructive pieces of music in the current heavy scene. The respect she has curated by the time you reach this track is spell-binding, from her vocals to the instrumental prowess associated with it. The song is just gorgeous from start to finish, and many will agree by the time they listen to this track.
Lastly, is the esoteric and stunning number "Abyss." A slower and denuded track compared to the others on the record, it's a welcomed edition nonetheless. Again MIKAELA's hidden vocal talents come crawling through, almost enveloping the entire track as the haunting melodic instrumentals almost go in the pocket to showcase her Lady Gaga'esque vocals. It almost feels like you are swathed in an obscure canorous dream you don't want to let go of, and in this way, it's performed well. It atmospherically stays with you long after it's finished.
There are many songs on Nocturne in Red that show that this debut album is an absolute masterpiece. From beginning to end, the soundscapes of the album are crisp, clean, and take you to places musically and lyrically in ways that only MIKAELA can. The way she has handled such gravid and forthright material yet has managed to make it digestibly heavy, ariose, and addicting to listen to is something to applaud. If MIKAELA continues to make such incredible records such as this, she is bound to be a household name within the heavy scene within the next few years.