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METALITE
A Virtual World
AFM Records

Let me just start this review by saying yes, I’m biased to Swedish Metal. Sweden just breeds awesome musicians. I will say this Texas girl absolutely loves bands such as AMARANTHE and SMASH INTO PIECES. Whether you want to call the genre Melodic Metal or Symphonic Metal, it doesn’t matter, what matters is the fact the Swedish Rock Gods have shined upon us again and given us METALITE. I’m new to this band. They have put out three albums. The first album, Heroes In Time, came out in 2017, their sophomore album, Biomechanicals in 2019 and their third and latest album released in March, A Virtual World, which in my opinion is the best thus far. As some of their Swedish counterparts have explored with their latest albums, A Virtual World is about the modern, virtual world, how artificial intelligence and the world of technology is something we are all assimilating to as the norm.

Every single member of this band is badass. Erica Ohlsson, an unbelievably sick vocalist has a vocal range that can only be the envy of just about any other vocalist that listens to her. Both guitarists, Edwin Premberg and Robert Ornesved pair up for some ridiculous runs in many different chord progressions throughout the album. On bass is Robert Majd, who blends with both Robert and Edwin for killer reverberations. Last but not least to round out this group is Lea Larsson on drums with her phenomenal backbeats and kick drums. With these talents along with the amazing producer Jacob Hansen, who produced albums for AMARANTHE and VOLBEAT, A Virtual World is a Melodic, Symphonic pop synth-techno masterpiece.

There are 11 tracks on the album, my absolute favorite of which I listened to over and over is "Beyond The Horizon". It has an 80s pop synth sound. I love Erica’s runs in this song. Another track I really enjoyed is the 9th on the album, "Alone". This one is probably the closest to what could be called a ballad on the album. Who doesn’t like a good ballad? The last track on the album is "Synchronized". It has big symphonic sound and is one I just kept singing to and reminded me of an 80s rock hit . The guitars in this song were impressive and Erica’s vocals on this one were stunning.

I was completely blown away by this album. It's not as hard as some of the other Swedish bands' albums. I for one love that it's not. I like the lighter more operatic sound Erica lends to it all. I am seriously a fan of her vocal style. Absolutely beautiful. The archaic musicianship of all the members was perfect. I can not wait to see these five live. Fantastic album!

5.0 Out Of 5.0