This new project titled Chaos Magic is Timo Tolki’s attempt to create a musical project in the vein of Within Temptation or Nightwish.
Vocalist for this occasion is newcomer Caterina Nix, a lady with a very fine voice indeed. I’m sure we will hear a lot more from her over time. The range is there and the high notes are also there (maybe too many), but not quite carrying the power of her contemporaries.
In control is Timo Tolkki, who has written all songs, performs guitar, keyboards, bass and also takes control of recording, producing, mixing and mastering.
A set of outside ears might be helpful for Timo. This is a better production than his Avalon releases, but not to the standard as the recent Allen/Lande or what is needed to break a new act.
Musically there are still some good songs to enjoy – One Drop Of Blood is an obvious stand out; A Little Too Late is instantly catchy; Passionflow is suitably dramatic and the fast paced Point Of No Return is a good conclusion to the debut.
An interesting album. Caterina is a great discovery, but having publicly declared that this project was attempting to sound like Within Temptation, the natural reaction is to immediately compare the two. If you do that, Chaos Magic is going to come up short. But, enjoy it for what it is and fans of female fronted symphonic hard rock should find enough to latch on to.
