Hailing from the Blue Mountains, Australia, our very own Carmeria have put the big boys and girls on notice with an outstanding sophomore album – Tragédie D’amour.  An album with a clear theme throughout of dealing with love, tragedy and loss.  The album is self-produced by lead singer and main writer, Jordan von Grae along with support from Lachlan Blackwood (drums). Building on, but also showing a defined departure from the magnificent initial offering, Advenae, Tragédie D’amour has a more Gothic Rock edge to it than has been evident before. Its adventurous sound puts me in mind of the stylings of Ville Valo and H.I.M. as well as some of the Kamelot efforts with Kahn as frontman.

In support of the new album, the band engaged in a successful crowdfunding campaign that attracted the support of many musicians and music-lovers from across the globe. The quintet are currently in the midst of planning an east-coast tour of Australia in support of their forthcoming album.  Seeing Carmeria live was my introduction to them, I am looking forward to seeing the new songs being added to the setlist. If the trajectory of their debut is anything to go by, Carmeria will be sure to reach new heights with Tragédie D’amour.

From the opening keys of Call Forth My Sorrow, I was taken on a musical journey worthy of the aforementioned bands.  The opener is a high tempo, high energy effort with bombastic guitar work from Jerry Zahiha, a mix of clean and dirty vocals with perfect keyboards, all driven by the tight and driving engine room of bass (Emma Louise Nagy) and drums.

The next few songs are a rocking treat musically, lyrically it continues the theme of love and loss on A Thousand Winter Rains, Thorns and Leading the Lyre.  Secondary vocal stylings from bass player Emma are much more prevalent across this album, where she also has writing credits and leading vocals on Burning Ships. This has definitely added another facet to Carmeria’s sound.

The ballad-like Whispers of Forgiveness gives a short, keys-driven breather, however, this does not diminish the song at all.  Jordan’s vocal is dripping with heartfelt anguish that has me the listener, feeling that anguish.

Shadow’s Throne raises the tempo again before Immortal continues it with a strong sing-along chorus that will do well live.  Burning Ships is a mid tempo ballad that lyrically and stylistically puts me in the mind of Whitesnake with a gothic, darker edge and it works well.

Another uptempo offering in The Hoping Heart is the penultimate song.  The album is rounded out with a brilliant finisher called A Vision In Passing.  It is a grand and epic song to close out what is a great album.

CARMERIA is:

Jordan von Grae – Vocals | Principal Lyricist & Songwriter | Producer

Jerry Zahija – Guitars

Mishka Bobrov – Keys | Additional Backing Vocals

Emma Louise Nagy – Bass | Secondary Vocals | Acoustic Guitars

Lachlan Blackwood – Drums | Producer

Track Listing:

Call Forth My Sorrow

A Thousand Winter Rains

Thorns

Leading the Lyre

Whispers of Forgiveness

Shadow’s Throne

Immortal

Burning Ships

The Hoping Heart

A Vision in Passing