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Expectations are a bitch. You hear about a band, and that their music is of a certain genre, and you automatically start expecting things. When your expectations ultimately get shattered, it takes away from the enjoyment that couldÂ’ve been had, if you just jumped in with both feet, eyes closed, not expecting a thing.

Celesti Alliance doesn’t quite fit the expectations I have for power metal, though power metal influences can certainly be heard on the three track promo I’ve been listening to today. Musically, the closest comparison I have to offer is Saitama Saisyu Heiki, also known as Live House S.S.H, who creates metal renditions of video game songs. From what I gathered, all of the songs have been written, composed and played by the founder and only member for the moment, Tuukka Nurmi-Aro. Although “played” might be the wrong word, as the instruments have that distinctive sample-sound feel to them. I assume it’s been all made without using any actual instruments, but just computer wizardry. I found no real evidence to support or debunk this theory, but let’s just call it a gut feeling for now.

Nurmi-Aro is looking to fill up the ranks of Celesti Alliance with more musicians, and undoubtedly the songs will get re-recorded after all the members have been found, so I guess I should focus more on how the songs have been built, rather than played. And for a one man project, the songs are in fact quite impressive. This might sound a tad patronizing, but if Nurmi-Aro can squeeze out material like this by himself, adding four more guys to the mix is certainly an intriguing idea. The songs have been well written, but could certainly use more drama and experimentation. ItÂ’s a good starting point, which hopefully will lead to brilliance, given some more time.

I especially like the lyrics, which have found that fine line between too cheesy and just cheesy enough for power metal. ItÂ’s a fine line indeed, and the fact that itÂ’s been found at such an early stage is also a good sign.

ItÂ’s really quite difficult to come up with things to say about Celesti Alliance at the moment. ItÂ’s pointless to critizice the vocals, guitars, drums, bass or anything else really, if all of it is going to change after the band becomes an actual band, instead of a one man project. The songs arenÂ’t that good right now, mainly because computer wizardry can never match organic instruments, and until I hear some living people play these songs with instruments, thatÂ’s as far as my critique goes.

What I will say, though, is keep an ear out for Nurmi-Aro & Celesti Alliance. If he finds a good group of guys to play with, the first actual release will definitely be worth checking out!

Rating: 3 / 10 as it is. At least 7 / 10 what it should become further down the line.

- Peksi -