One of the challenges of writing music that straddles multiple genres is creating a sound that will appeal to a target audience. Amaranthe is as different and hard to define as they come, but the Swedish sextet definitely seems up for any challenge that they may face with their latest single, “Drop Dead Cynical,” a catchy track with enough heavy elements to appeal to hard rock music fans.
The song has been getting airplay on SiriusXM’s Octane, and is instantly recognizable the second that it comes on the radio, yet it is nearly impossible to categorize. Even female vocalist, Elize Ryd, has trouble putting her finger on the band’s unique sound, describing it as “dance metal with a taste of death and modern/melodic metal.” She, along with Jake E (clean, male vocals) and Henrik Englund (screams), comprise one of the most interesting vocal tandems in the genre today.
Ryd’s delivery of the infectious chorus in “Drop Dead Cynical” will definitely appeal to fans of Halestorm’s “Mz. Hyde.” Of course, in this song, there is also a “Dr. Jekyll” in the form of heavy, distorted riffs, screams and a danceable, industrial, marching sound that is reminiscent of Rammstein’s “Du Hast.”
It’s not easy to seamlessly blend such contrasting styles into one song, but Amaranthe has risen to the challenge, and delivered something special with “Drop Dead Cynical.”
Great review. Very accurate!
They definitely have a Within Temptation, Epica influence on them as del.