Star Queen - Your True Self


Year of Release: 2004
Label: Lion Music
Catalog Number: LMC102
Format: CD
Total Time: 52:16:00

It doesn't matter where you come [from], everywhere are people who love metal. But being an artist in a country where there is virtually no metal scene, it is not easy. Stella Tormanof, born 1980, lived in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria and she had studied music just about all her life. Around 1997, she stepped into the world of musicians, as she joined Triangle. After a few unsuccessful attempts, she recorded a few demos and sent them out. Bulgaria was not the place for such a musical talent. Lion Music was impressed and hooked her up with guitarist Thorbjorn Englund (Winterlong).

They did not only end up together in music, but also in life! Stella moved to Sweden and under the name Star Queen, she released the debut album Faithbringer. Lars Eric Mattsson produced it and also had his hands in the follow up: Your True Self. This album could be considered a statement from Tormanof, as she is totally honest in her lyrics and writes what she wants, not dictated by others.

Musically the line-up has changed a bit, as on the first album the parts were played by various musicians from all over the world. Now she has a steady line up, in order to play live as well. The sound of Your True Self is solid progressive rock, with touches of metal, in the heavy guitar parts of Thornbjorn and the vocals of Star Queen (as Tormanof calls herself), you find the gothic influences. Her voice is a bit similar to Tarja Turunen (Nightwish).

Unfortunately I don't really enjoy the operatic vocals of Star Queen on this album. As I had the same with Nightwish, it could be a matter of giving it time, though. Her vocals are good, but at times I have the feeling these should be a different kind of music to complement them.

Your True Self is a good album, with strong, melodic songs and the musicians have done their parts with excellence. Also technically Star Queen is a very talented vocalist, but as always, it is also a matter of taste.

On her website are some samples, so I suggest you check them out to see if this is your kind of music. Personally I prefer Nightwish to Star Queen.

[This review originally appeared August 2004 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]
Tracklisting:
Exile / Your True Self / Rainbow / Existence / Virginia And The Wizard / Crystal Heart / Draft / Revelation Of Our Malice / Merciless Faith / Cryptic Epistle / Labyrinth Of Spleen

Musicians:
Stella Tormanof - vocals
Thorbjorn Englund - guitars
Peter Uven - bass
Mats Holma - drums

Discography:
Faithbringer (2002)
Your True Self (2004)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin SE

Added: November 27th 2004
Reviewer: Marcel Haster
Score:
Artist website: www.starqueen.net
Hits: 2259
Language: english

  

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