EXIT EDEN - Femmes Fatales (Napalm Records)

English:CD-review
  Van Muylem    12 januari 2025

I reviewed their debut album and loved it! The complete album is still in my personal playlist. I even interviewed them as they where supposed to play at Tartu Rock in Estonia and had a press pass. Sadly I found out that festival was fake and even ended up on the front papers in Estonia and was namedropped as the Belgian guy who found out … (btw: until now nobody got their money back).


I was doubting to review this one. First of all: they lost a member and secondly it’s a stream only so the album won’t end in my playlist and lately I try not to review streamers. But hence as the snow locked me in I had time to do it, so here we go …

But first some info from the promo set-up:

“When Clémentine Delauney (Visions of Atlantis), Anna Brunner (League of Distortion), Marina La Torraca (Phantom Elite) and Amanda Somerville came together to form EXIT EDEN, topped by the release of their first album, Rhapsodies in Black, in summer 2017, it became immediately clear that this combination would be powerful and magical alike! With their debut entering the German album charts at #15 and rocking the stage at the legendary Wacken Open Air, these four outstanding and independent female vocalists proved how symphonic heaviness can go hand in hand with pop music - dressing well-known classics in a yet unheard soundscape, evoking more than just a cover album! Now, more than six years later, EXIT EDEN are back to mesmerize audiences with their second offering, illustrating strength and female empowerment while appropriately entitled Femmes Fatales, set for release on January 12, 2024 via Napalm Records. EXIT EDEN’s new masterpiece refers to the “femme fatale” as a symbol of women taking control of their own narratives with autonomy, intelligence, and independence and finding back the pure feminine energy in the world.

Now performing as a trio, EXIT EDEN's new full-length follows the path of its predecessor, as it contains six cover versions of famous cross-generational super hits, but this time also shines by offering six original compositions. With one exception (“Dying in my Dreams”, co-written by Marina La Torraca), the remaining five original songs were brought to life by Anna Brunner and Hannes Braun (Kissin’ Dynamite), who is also responsible for recording, production and mixing, whereas the album was mastered by Jacob Hansen (Delain, Amaranthe, Volbeat, Destruction and many more).

Self-confidently leading straight into the tempting world of EXIT EDEN, opening “Femme Fatale”, “Buried in the Past” and “Hold Back Your Fear” conjure a mystical atmosphere with strings and orchestral elements, topped by complementary vocals uniting the sonic diversity of the all-femme trio. Original track “Run!” showcases another astonishing facet of the album by bringing a folk-ish vibe along with the outstanding guest appearance of Marko Hietala (ex-Nightwish), gracing the album with his distinctive voice. “Dying In My Dreams” and album closing “Elysium” set the tone as captivating mid-tempo tracks with an intense chorus speaking straight to the heart. Moving further along the path where Rhapsodies in Black left off,EXIT EDEN picked the next selection of international super hits - transforming them into their very own creation, yet still paying reverence to the originals on Femmes Fatales. “It’s a Sin” (Pet Shop Boys), “Separate Ways” (Journey), “Desanchantée” (Mylène Farmer), “Poison” (Alice Cooper), “Alone” (Heart) and “Kayleigh” (Marilion), re-arranged as undoubtably striking rock/symphonic metal compositions, form the common thread between the debut and Femmes Fatales.

With stellar vocals, an exceptional concept and high-quality production, EXIT EDEN have crafted another standout album that absolutely succeeds in expanding the identity of the supergroup even more, and gives fans the chance to experience three of the most beautiful and talented women in metal united as one on Femmes Fatales.“

Now the actual review:

Femme Fatale has already been launched as a single and at first didn’t convince me. But it’s a slow grower and for sure the chorus will conquer you first. Each of the ladies gets a part, giving the song a variety of vocal colours. The symphonic part stays a bit in the background and main focus goes to the vocals (a good thing). The guitar player gets a bit of his “hey it’s me”-time. The French speaking part reminds me a bit of what they did on the previous album and adds an extra layer. Note: this one is one of their own songs and not a cover.

It's a Sin has recently also been covered by Lord of The Lost and is a great metal cover! The original from Pet Shop Boys is off course a golden classic and this version has the right to exist! I miss a bit the more bombastic approach as it feels like it would fit here.

Run! (feat. Marko Hietala) has also been launched as a single. It’s catchy and Marko’s voice fits in nicely. The song gets a kind of a bagpipe touch within the music.

Separate Ways (Journey cover): frankly? I had to google the original track to find out about the sound. It’s a cool one! Well I hear indeed the original sound with this female fronted symphonic metal version. Not bad.

Buried in the Past is a self-written song, has a good tempo and sounds like fired up and ready to be performed in front of a huge crowd.

Désenchantée (Mylène Farmer) is very hard to cover as the original is really strong. Now they added a symphonic layer and still bring it in French. I’m sure Mylène Farmer likes this new version. I just miss a bit the extra backing withing the chorus as that would lift the song to a higher level. Still: it’s a good version (I adore the breakdown part as it sounds very fragile and great)!

Dying in my Dreams sounds sweet and yet powerful. I like the backings and the global sound. It’s clear that this is the path to follow! It’s one of the better (self-written) songs! The fragile parts within the vocal range are the best parts (together with the more bombastic ones).

Poison (Alice Cooper) is a powerful cover of an instant classic metal track! The bombastic approach works! A duet with the guy is the next stage!

Alone (Heart) is another classic one with at the start already a bombastic sound. This new version adds a tiny bit more power to the original but stays pretty close to the original sound. I’m sure fans will love it but it’s not like they changed it in a drastic way.

Hold Back Your Fear is not bad but misses a bit of that extra sparkle to make it shine. A stronger chorus and more power in the backings might have given it a stronger boost. I feel the potential, so there is more in it. I hope they work on it before bringing it on stage (the breakdown could have been a bit more fragile).

Kayleigh (Marilion) is pretty sweet and yet strong. I like the variation withing the vocal range. It’s a great cover version of a very strong original! I’m sure fans will agree with this!

Elysium is the last one. The song starts softly and yet swiftly. It’s the sweet touch on a frosted cake. The sweetest song of all. I think it’s a good ending for an album that announces the change: lesser covers and more own material and with one singer lesser. I hope the fans like this change and keep on following this great band! I hope to see them finally all together on stage, one day!

EXIT EDEN are:

Clémentine Delauney

Anna Brunner

Marina La Torraca

EXIT EDEN online:

Website
Facebook
Instagram
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Napalm Records

Check our interview from 2018 here:

SNOOZECONTROL - Interview with Exit Eden about the first album and gigs!

click here for album review