naio ssaion- Out Loud

Artist: naio ssaion
Album: Out Loud
Label: Napalm Records

"Out Loud" is the second release from Slovenian goth/nu-metallers naio ssaion on Napalm Records. For most people that I know, myself included, the nu-metal part instantly sounds an alarm and the album is discarded without giving it a chance. Writing for a zine that isn't mine though, I have to look at albums from a different viewpoint than others. I tried to take a neutral listen to the album but it wasn't easy. naio ssaion really remind me a lot of Evanescence or Lacuna Coil with some slight differences and I really don't like either of those bands too much. The main standout would probably be the vocals of Barbara Jedovnicky who's voice is well suited for this style of music. She doesn't have a very wide range, preferring to stay in the mid-range area but she is a really talented singer. The use of an electric violin makes "Out Loud" standout a little when compared to similar bands, but the run-of-the-mill distorted riffs being played by guitarists Tine Cas and Luka Verdnik just drag the album down and make naio ssaion sound like a million other bands playing the same way. The rhythm section is solid with bassist Lenart Jerabek and drummer Mitja Melansek doing a decent job playing their instruments but it's still not enough to bring this album out of mediocrity. For what it is it isn't terrible, there just isn't anything that really stands out from countless others. If you're a fan of Lacuna Coil and similar bands, you may like this.