Blood of Angels by Michelle Belanger

a Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell

Michelle Belanger sang on an album by darkwave band Nox Arcana and thus this record came to be. Belanger sings and writes the words, while Nox Arcana’s Joseph Vargo and William Piotrowksi supply the music.

They tell the dark tale of the watcher angels who left heaven to experience mortal love. Belanger’s soaring vocals complements the dramatic music well.  

“Children of Heaven” tells of the angels fall to Earth to what sounds like a March of the Damned.

“Bitter Ashes” features a haunted vocal and a splendidly powerful backing.

“Ella Sheena” manages to sound like a Natacha Atlas song, all sinuous vocals and Eastern rhythm. It’s one of the strongest songs here.

“Widows Walk” has a slight folk touch to it.

A thundering remix of “Children of Heaven” closes this strange but appealing record.

Posted on January 8, 2007