Sweet... the Hell by Black Widows.

Black Widows is an all female heavy metal band from Portugal. They at first remind me of something in between the extremes of Evensong and Rain Fell Within. There's the young edge and gothic color of Evensong versus the sweet operatic pageantry of Rain Fell Within. But Black Widows also has more of a dramatic and sinister edge to their metal like King Diamond and Portugal's most known export, Moonspell. And as a twist, I'll have to say that if you could image the progressive metal of Italy's Empty Tremor playing like KD and Moonspell, this could be it. Its because the music rumbles with some good variety and snappy tempo. There's some creative keyboard parts, some relatively rowdy metal chops (plus solo call outs), and the fussy drummer rumbles like a progressive metal basher. Though the singer, Rute, can sing in a sweet feminine voice, she can also roar a bit like Angela Gossow of Arch Enemy. I think Rute is more diverse and is about as kick ass as the lady in Madder Mortem. And then there are some cool parts where she just talks fast like those in punk bands. There is a guest male vocals on one or two songs, Gunther Theys (Ancient Rites/Danse Macabre). Who is he? I don't know but he perhaps reminds me of the guy from Moonspell or the guest on Nightwish.

I think this is a competitive album for the genre and with the right audience, it will open eyes.
http://recital-records.com/english/bands/blackwidows/index.html

Score 4/5

by Alzn