Symphonic metal fans should rejoice because, after many long years, we finally have new music from STREAM OF PASSION! The band formally called it quits in 2016 and each member went about their business until 2022 when they reconnected and started work on what would end up being “Beautiful Warrior.” The EP was released independently on September 9th, 2023, and was accompanied by a couple of shows in Dynamo, Eindhoven, to the delight of the band’s fanbase.
Stylistically, the EP pretty much picks up where STREAM OF PASSION left off with “A War of Our Own” (2014). Marcela Bovio’s melodic cleans are at the forefront guiding the listeners through the emotional core of the songs while the instrumentals create a beautiful backdrop for the vocals and lyrics to bring the stories to life in vibrant yet delicate colors. Producer Joost van den Broek did a really wonderful job with the sound design of this EP. Moreover, some artists write in such a way as to service the songs not show off their talents, and this is the main strength of the EP – it’s more about feelings than it is about technicality. The cover artwork also ties into this aspect showcasing the Japanese art of kintsugi (= repairing something broken with gold, silver, or platinum) while the five tracks deal with resilience and fortitude in the face of adversity.
The EP opens up with lead single “The Hunter,” a powerful and emotionally heavy track that speaks about breaking free from a toxic relationship, a situation that, unfortunately, is a “tale as old as time,” as Marcela Bovio sings on the bridge of the song. This melodic anthem is both aggressive and gentle as drums and guitars counterbalance the piano and backing strings with the vocals soaring above, especially during the rousing chorus. The merging of symphonic and progressive elements is a trademark of the band and this song is a great example of their formula at work. Up next, “Tonight” is more orchestral than the previous one but with a resounding bass line from Johan van Stratum, powerful percussions, and a vocal delivery that keeps the listeners hooked. Even if, instrumentally, it is a simpler track, it definitely delivers emotions galore as Marcela is the type of vocalist who can infuse every note she sings with copious amounts of emotion and passion, it is borderline impossible to listen to her sing and not feel something.
The following track, “Chasing a Ghost,” also capitalizes a lot of her soulful and heartfelt way of singing especially since some of the lyrics are in Spanish. So, even if you don’t understand the verses, you definitely feel their emotional weight. The orchestral backdrop coupled with the more progressive rhythms, fiery guitar solo, and synths give it a certain amount of intensity and make it a stand-out track on this EP. The second single, “The End is the Beginning,” has some of the most powerful lyrics penned for these songs, with the repetition of the words “I can’t live without her” being not just a wonderful melodic hook for the chorus but also as a heart-wrenching lament that thugs at the heartstrings, obviously driven by Marcela’s passionate singing. This intimate yet muscular song speaks about the heartbreaks we have endured and how our scars, ultimately, make us who we are thus tying into the kintsugi-inspired artwork. Rounding up this EP is the piano ballad “The Promise” which slowly builds in scale as more instruments are added to the mix. The guitar work in the song’s second half works in tandem with the symphonic elements to add layers to the atmosphere.
This year was a good one for symphonic metal with new, wonderful albums from genre stalwarts like DELAIN, XANDRIA, and ELEINE charming the audiences. “Beautiful Warrior” is a great addition to the symphonic metal catalog, but it’s also a breath of fresh air as it doesn’t offer the same bombastic, over-the-top soundscape as its peers. Instead, STREAM OF PASSION continue to opt for a more subtle approach to their sound so as to make the songs as memorable and individual as they can. The progressive elements together with Marcela Bovio’s warm vocal timber and the ethereal use of piano and strings make STREAM OF PASSION’s music feel more relatable and personal. This EP is a good reminder of what they brought to the proverbial table and why they have been so dearly missed.
Written by Andrea Crow
Tracklist
- The Hunter
- Tonight
- Chasing a Ghost
- The End is the Beginning
- The Promise
Lineup
- Marcela Bovio – lead vocals, violin
- Johan van Stratum – bass
- Eric Hazebroek – lead/rhythm guitar
- Stephan Schultz – lead/rhythm guitar
- Jeffrey Revet – keyboards, synthesizers, piano
- Martijn Peters – drums
Label
Independent
