Eye of Melian - Forest of Forgetting (2026)
I can hear the ambition immediately. Forest of Forgetting wants to be immersive, cinematic, mythic — and in terms of arrangement, it often succeeds. The orchestration is lush, the vocals are poised, and everything is placed with care. But for me, it never quite crosses into urgency. It feels composed, not compelled.
The atmosphere is consistent — almost too consistent. Track after track leans into the same mid-tempo grandeur, the same slow-burn string swells, the same careful emotional register. I don’t dislike it; I just don’t feel pushed. In your strongest symphonic metal records, the drama escalates, fractures, surprises. Here, the forest stays beautiful, but the weather barely changes.
It works as a mood piece. As a metal record, it lacks bite and structural tension. I respect it more than I replay it.
Pros
-
High-level orchestration
The arrangements are polished and cinematic, with real attention to instrumental layering. -
Controlled vocal performance
Johanna Kurkela delivers elegance and clarity without overacting the fantasy tone. -
Cohesive aesthetic world
The album maintains a unified sonic palette — no jarring missteps or filler tracks.
Cons
-
Limited dynamic arc
The emotional range stays narrow; few true peaks or collapses. -
Safe symphonic metal template
It rarely steps outside genre expectations or introduces a strong twist. -
Low metal impact factor
The heaviness feels secondary to atmosphere, reducing tension and catharsis.
Genre: Fantasy Metal
Country: Netherlands/Finland
Final Verdict: 66% (Good Album)
Yearly Ranking: 41th / 154
Highlight: Symphonia Arcana
Made me think of:
Delain
Xandria
Leaves’ Eyes
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