Opera Metal Downunder! Yes, it does exist, though rare within Australia. Imperatore is one of the very few that reside in Perth. A style that sits solid within the Symphonic Heavy Rock, Gothic and Melodic Subgenres. We often see them fronted by Female singers such as Darkyra, (also from Perth) or the big names such as Epica, Nightwish or Within Temptation.
Zoran Cunjak, the name behind the voice is the full package. A suave and savvy songwriter and also quite a competent guitarist. You may remember him as one of the former singers of Silent Knight (my favorite out of the three singers they’ve had to date), ripping out a very different vocal back then but nevertheless spectacular all the same. This is Zoran’s second release under the Imperatore name, commanding our respect with an elegant Tenor voice with an accompaniment of the finest calibre, one of the musicians being Perth Guitar God, Leon Todd (Ragdoll) shredding out his distinctive style of guitaring which melds together majestically with the many synth sounds. Credit to them in this area as the guitars rather than taking a backseat to the keyboard components in music of this kind, they’re front and centre where they need to be driving things forward.
The remaining two musicians that make up the Imperatore Quad are, Sean Allsopp (drums), Daniel Marijanovic (bass), although I’m not certain if it is them playing on the recording, I’m just taking a guess as the only information i have is directly from their website bio.
Now that the introductions are out the way, I can delve into the songs themselves.
‘Tear Down the Wall’, forget the exorbitantly long introductions of virtually every Symphonic Hard Rock band, straight in with the hook and crunchy guitars followed by an every so hauntingly crisp yet sultry vocal, tearing down any reservations I may have had for an Aussie band in Euro territory. There’s a melancholy edge……of course there is, it goes hand in hand with Operatic Metal.
The superb thumping and pumping of guitar, bass and drums on ‘Forever Gone’, a catchy sing along, all crystal clear. Zoran once again commanding our attention…..that is until Leon steals the show with his critical, to this song, both soaring and melodic guitar solo.
‘Gods of Machines’, the pulsing strobe-like synth continues the driving momentum moving throughout this very melodramatic piece, mesmerizingly alternating between beautiful piano, magnificent guitaring and that Tenor voice. The Lyrical lines are simple yet stunning as to allow the music to breathe.
Title track ‘Nations Rise’ the four count of the drums calls forward the ever-important lyrical message of this epic and historical in topic, masterpiece. The chorus is HUGE! The man (Zoran) has wings, we hear him float effortlessly above the music, raising with him his counterparts.
‘War Mother’, I’m already sold….. Precision and Power, a rare Gem catching the light waiting to be discovered as it tumbles to the top of many layers of pebbles washed up on a sandy shore.
‘Confession’, Bass, depth, passion. Goosebumps….SUPERB!
‘World Gone’, An Eastern flare, Industrial Metal, Gothic Trans, Rammstein EAT YOUR HEART OUT!
‘One Day’, Gothic Disco, Industrial Metal. Kings of the Underground. I’d happily get my Goth on if I heard this playing at my favorite late-night haunt. Hot and heavy.
Imperatore, Masters of their domain. A solid, sophisticated release that I’m happy to have on repeat. Whether you just want to lay around and listen or pump it up on the dance floor, it ticks all the boxes….and from PERTH AUSTRALIA!!
Imperatore: Facebook
Release Year: 2024
Label: self-released
Category: Album
Country: Australia
Reviewed by GG Baf
