I am glad to see that more female fronted bands are being taken seriously and getting major releases. Bands like Arch Enemy, Lacuna Coil, and Nightwish have opened the door for these new bands. What I like most about these albums is that they are so different from each other that even a casual listener can tell the difference. Mahavatar continue that trend by combining new and old school metal while adding a dash of Middle Eastern flavor to create a unique sound. The songs are original by themselves but together they give the CD a nice even feel. Instead of a rollercoaster ride, we get tracks that flow together in such a way that they need to be listened to as a whole. The main guitarist (also a female) can riff with the best of them and the singer goes from new metal growls to almost angelic singing. If you are looking for something a little bit different but still very much metal, I recommend this release. You won’t be disappointed.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2006 Volume 5 at lulu.com/strangesound.