DOTMA “Sleep Paralyses” /CD/

The debut full-length album by Finnish Symphonic Power Metal band.
One of the most exciting and anticipated debut albums of the year. Symphonic Power Metal at its best! Powerful and melodically challenging!!
Thankfully, “Sleep Paralyses” is not sleep inducing. That’s one thing it has going for it, another is the fact that it is loaded with good songs, great musicianship and the operatic vocals of front lady Johanna Lesonen. Clearly, “Sleep Paralyses” has an orchestral Power Metal vibe that drives the 8-track 50-minute debut.
“Sleep Paralyses” begins with the Helloween-ish style guitar harmonies of opener “Legend of Blackbird”. This is a fast-paced opening number and one that sets a very high standard for what is to follow. The second track is one that really stood out and became an instant favorite. On “Reborn” Johanna performs a duet with a male opera singer, which is a nice, added touch and something you don’t see or hear very often in the realm Power Metal, which, combined with an out-of-this-world Yngwie style guitar solo makes this a highlight. “Silent Sunshine” features more solid vocalizing from Johanna and a great, big chorus. Dotma brings the tempo down on the ballad “Indian Fall”. Other highlights include “Whispering” and “The Cave”. Dotma wraps things up with two epics, the first is the 11-minute grandiose “Kingdom of the Sky” and the 9-minute “Memory Worth Dying For”.
Outstanding vocal performance by talented singer Johanna Lesonen, guest appearances by Vladimir Lumi (ex- Thaurorod), Ines Lukkanen (Embassy Of Silence), Lasse Nyman (Thaurorod) and Tero Kalliomäki (Embassy Of Silence, Saattue).
Mixed at Cutting Room Studios, Sweden (Scorpions, Europe) by Björn Engelmann.
In this day-and-age it is easy to think: "oh Great, here comes another Power Metal band with an operatic female singer", but on “Sleep Paralyses”, Dotma quickly puts any reservations one might have to rest!
Excellent album for fans of female fronted bands with really great vocal!!
Scarlet Records, 2011 (SC 202-2). Made in Italy. Pressed in Poland. First press.


Tracklist:
1. Legend Of Blackbird 5:46 
2. Reborn 4:58 
3. Silent Sunshine 4:23 
4. Indian Fall 4:15 
5. Whispering 5:49 
6. The Cave 6:54 
7. Kingdom Of The Sky 11:01 
8. Memory Worth Dying For 8:44
Total playing time: 51:50