What a fun, summery record AMBERIAN DAWN have unleashed upon the world with “Temptation’s Gates!” Released on June 26th, 2026, via powerhouse label Napalm Records, this is the band’s eleventh studio album, and first with new vocalist Nicole Willerton. I have to say that this melodic/symphonic metal record makes me excited for what the future holds for this Finnish band.
Like with any other metal genre, the symphonic metal genre can get a bit crowded with overproduced albums that sound too polished and/or too cluttered with layers of orchestral arrangements or choirs to boost the feeling that it’s a symphonic metal album through and through, which can lead to listening fatigue after a while. Luckily, AMBERIAN DAWN sidestep these genre trappings by relying mostly on atmospheric keys courtesy of mastermind Tuomas Seppälä and Nicole Willerton’s ethereal vocals to carry the album, an approach that works wonderfully in their favor as “Temptation’s Gates” offers an easy and engaging sonic experience. Its modern sound combines well with the underlying symphonic ambiance, while the earworm melodies are among the album’s strong points.
The singles released in anticipation of the full album, especially the title track and “The Vision of Dreaming,” pointed to a more melodic, poppy approach, and they delivered in spades on this promise. It’s an incredibly catchy and dynamic album that packs quite a punch in its almost thirty-seven minutes of runtime, never sacrificing its heavier edge in favor of symphonic grandeur. As such, the recently released single, “Moon,” has quite a heavy edge to it, coming from the sharp guitar and barreling drums, while “Unchained” (not an EPICA cover) has a darker and gloomier edge that is only enhanced by some well-placed growled vocals. This inclusion of growls is a first for the band, and it got me thinking if this is a new trend in metal, especially since XANDRIA have also started using growls in their music since Ambre Vouvarhis took over – are the new vocalists a band introduces required to pull off this duality of angelic cleans and harsh vox? Though I guess in both cases (AMBERIAN DAWN and XANDRIA) it is more of a stylistic advantage than a complete overhaul.
Getting back to the business at hand, “Eternal Flame” is a groovy and synth-laden number that rides high on a soaring chorus and plenty of melody (including a synth solo) while the ode to imagination that is “Life is Art” is an uplifting number that edges a bit to close to sounding like a Disney feel-good number, though I am not complaining as I am really enjoying its ambiance and positive vibes. Up next, the poppy “This Night Is Waiting for Me” is another groovy number, though it feels a bit mellower and laid-back than the others, which is a nice change of pace until “Undying Colours” picks it up again with great (if retro) synth leads, punchy guitars, and some more mellow passages. There are no symphonic metal epics to obsess over on this album, which means that nothing is overshadowed as each track stands on its own, but still, there are some highlights like “The Vision of Dreaming,” “Moon,” and “Eternal Flame.” However, I seem to gravitate towards the closing track, “Phantasmagoria,” equally because the title invites one into a world full of wonder and because the music delivers on that whimsical vibe with sparkling synth and a dreamlike ambiance.
All-in-all, “Temptation’s Gates” is among the best surprises of the year as this is a rather solid symphonic metal album that seamlessly uses pop structures to enhance the free-flowing melodies and punchy, power metal riffs. Nonetheless, the real MVP here is vocalist Nicole Willerton, whose exceptional vocal performance elevates these songs and ushers in a refreshing and exciting new chapter for AMBERIAN DAWN. To achieve this, the band didn’t need to reinvent itself or head down a different path, but lock in on their strengths and preserve their signature sound. This makes “Temptation’s Gates” a vibrant and finely tuned album that pays homage to their foray into the classic ABBA sound (with their previous outing) while looking confidently towards the future.
Written by Andrea Crow
Tracklist
- Temptation’s Gates
- The Vision of Dreaming
- Moon
- Unchained
- Eternal Flame
- Life Is Art
- This Night Is Waiting for Me
- Undying Colours
- The Garden
- Phantasmagoria
Lineup
- Nicole Willerton – lead vocals
- Emil Pohjalainen – guitar
- Tuomas Seppälä – keyboards, guitars
- Jukka Hoffren – bass
- Joonas Pykälä-aho – drums
Label
Napalm Records
