A concise, ten-song opus containing a myriad of styles that prevents the band from being pigeon-holed into one genre.

Dutch trio Nemesea have managed to carve out a fairly successful career so far in their short life with three well-received albums to their name. Even the shift in direction, when they stepped out from the mire of Female-Fronted Symphonic Metal bands to pursue a more Electronic direction, earned them numerous plaudits along the way. I still keep seeing references to Evanescence mentioned, but the only similarities I hear to Amy Lee & Co. are the occasional darkly Gothic undertones.

With the sound still revolving around the amazing, higher-pitched, soaring vocals of Manda Ophius (the trio completed by guitarist HJ and bassist Sonny Onderwater), album number four 'Uprise' sees Nemesea continuing on that upward trajectory with a concise, ten-song opus containing a myriad of styles that prevents the band from being pigeon-holed into one genre.

Lively opener 'Hear Me' is straight-forward Contemporary/Alternative Rock, with an almost Punk-driven guitar riff, but it's the mid-tempo second track 'Twilight' that sees the slightly Gothic undercurrents beginning to emerge under the subtle, bubbling synth line. 'Forever' is a hit-single in the making, with the clever combination of Alternative Rock, Electronica, Gothic and Symphonic; the latter especially during the choral middle section. The stunning 'Let It Burn' is more ballad-orientated with a slightly Bluesy rhythm and a soaring vocal that somehow sees Nemesea sounding very similar to their Dutch counterparts Within Temptation. This facet continues into the bouncy Alt/Pop/Rock of the catchy-as-hell 'Time To Make It', complete with a key-change for the final chorus when you think Ophius can't push that stunning voice any further.

'Can't Believe It' is closer to the Punky direction of the opening track, but the Symphonic-sounding, choral interludes lift the song way above the average. It's followed by the quite beautiful 'Light Up The Sky', a gently-building ballad with sweeping string textures and a lilting piano break-down before the whole thing erupts into life as it reaches its crescendo. By contrast, 'Get Out' sounds almost frantic with its lively guitar riff, while 'Bones' is the heaviest, most Contemporary Rock-sounding inclusion, and closer' Hold On' teases with its quiet, gentle opening that powers into life at the chorus.

Nemesea took something of a risk by stepping away from the highly popular world of Symphonic Rock, but it's a move that has been truly justified if they continue to make music of this diverse and entertaining quality.

Ant Heeks