Angel - A Woman's Diary - Chapter II
Updated: Oct 6, 2020
Label: Massacre Records
Release date: 24th July 2020
Genre: Pop rock / metal
Related articles: Interview with an Artist - Helena "Angel" Michaelsen
The long-awaited sequel to the solo project of Helena Iren Michaelsen (Imperia, ex-Trail of Tears) has finally seen the light of day after 15 years. Unlike the heavy metal counterpart, Angel is a journey through different music styles combined with deeply emotional lyrics.
Like it's predecessor, "A Woman's Diary - Chapter II" is based on Helena's personal life from her childhood, but as well the recent and current events. While Helena is in charge of the lyrics, Oliver Phillips, who happens to be in a relationship with Michaelsen, deals with the instrumentation and production of the album, making a great pair on what kind of emotions they will put on the album. Great minds think alike.
Tracklist
Never Again
Streetchild
I Don't Believe
Imprisoned
Do You Hear My Cry
Eg Ser
Happy Birthday
My Desire
Rock in the Sea
Silence
Angel Maria
Goodbye
Angel Maria's Poem
Secret Tracks:
Evidence
Kjærlighet
Cold piano keys set the tone of the album with a dark suspenseful feel in "Never Again", where one has been betrayed after loving someone with instrumentals building like this cinematic tragedy of a broken heart whos vows echoes throughout the track that of her vulnerability that will not happen again to another. Transitioning into the next song, "Streetchild" sends the album's theme into another direction where Helena's displays the comforting character of motherly instincts in an uplifting pop-rock ballad of strings and acoustic guitars all while bringing hope and protection to an abandoned child. Making a personal connection, Michaelsen preaches in the song to the world questioning their loss of love towards our children. Dark memories of abuse begin with a churchlike choir that leads into the next track "I Don't Believe" where Helena tells her story of losing her faith in a religion where she prayed for guidance that never came to her (something I can relate to her) in a more acoustic environment. Hell breaks loose into the album in the following track "Imprisoned", the breaking point of her personal life, Michaelsen's experience as a political prisoner with fiery metal guitar riffs and thunderous drums. Suspenseful Latin choir that creates this build where Helena works overtime with an operatic choir and growls while sharing her experience about the harassments and abuse of the treatment she had faced. The sensual track of toned-down of the electric soulful guitar strums comes in with "Do You Hear My Cry" that represents the emotional breakdown that comes after the hell as hatred from the last track dissipates. Begging to someone if they feel one's pain but stands there doing nothing to help this being who doesn't want to leave the world in a broken dying state. "Eg Ser" (Norwegian translate to "I See"), though it is a cover song of Bjørn Eidsvåg, it fits in the album's tracklist as a response to the previous song, as that person is aware that he sees their pain and sorrow and tells them that it must face them on her own.
An original rendition by Michaelsen, the song "Happy Birthday" is for her daughter in an apologetic manner of how many times Michaelsen couldn't be together for her daughter's special day in life. As the song continues, it becomes more uplifting rock song as a reminder to her daughter that she will always remember her special day, no matter how far away they are and how much she has done to give her daughter happiness and the wishes to come true. The style is ever-changing in this album, "My Desire" comes next with a Middle Eastern flare, infecting the listeners with catchy oriental rhythms and very rich beats. It's no secret the Helena is a fan of Dead Can Dance, from the music and to the vocalization that reminds me of Lisa Gerrard but as well, Michaelsen soars to amazing heights with her strong dramatic soprano voice. Buried damaged emotions hide in "Rock in the Sea" with the Spanish music influence of nostalgic memories of comfort from an understanding soul that is wanted from a desperate voice, till the voice of Oliver Phillips (Everon) comes in response that he will bring the one to do it, fulfilling the wish. "Silence" brings back the acoustic-folk setting about being robbed from what was important to her and the only one to witness it, is silence. The one thing that understands her what she's been through. The next song is the main focus of the album, "Angel Maria", a pop-rock ballad and a letter that can tug at your heartstrings about the story of a mother-daughter separated by miles apart for years. The uplifting tones give you the image how much Helena cares for her daughter and work for a better life at a better place while leaving the grim days of being harmed for years, with a repeat of the background chorus chanting “run” also gives you much about Helena trying to escape from those trying to stop her dreams. With that being said "Goodbye" is a relieving piano song about letting go of the sadness and moving on into a brighter path of a positive future.
Ending the album is with "Angel Maria's Poem" is a personal recording of her own daughter singing a nursery rhyme while playing the piano and an original poem written by Angel that is read by her mother in Norwegian, where her daughter expresses how she had always felt safe being her mother's arms.
Secret Tracks:
Following is an audio recording that was planned to be on the album song but the label decided not to with respectable reasons. "Evidence" is from a call Helena had with her daughter back in 2015 (link here). Told by Helena, Angel asks if her mother can help her and ask for her if she can get food Angel says she doesn't get any food, hungry, scared, and can't sleep where they keep her imprisoned in human-trafficking and child abuse where she suffering from a psychological breakdown because of what they do to her there. Finally, ending with "Kjærlighet", from the interpretations of Norwegian singer Sissel, a beautiful piano song with an angelic and crystal clear vocals of Helena's authentic emotion in her language.
Helena is a musical artist that listeners should marvel, her storytelling and songwriting skills can bring out the many sensitive emotions in the music genre, whether it be metal, rock, acoustic, and pop, Angel or Imperia, Helena can make it work.
Final rating:
9 out of 10
Angel is:
Helena Iren "Angel" Michaelsen - vocals, lyrics
Oliver Phillips - all instrumentation, producer