Sometimes you discover new bands when you least expect it. This was the case for me with the Boston-based symphonic metal band Avariel. I met the band’s bassist Ryan Kelly during Epica’s headlining show in Worcester, Massachusetts this past January. When Ryan told me that Avariel was female fronted and from my local area, I was thrilled. I had never heard of any symphonic metal bands on the Boston music scene, and I’d never thought I’d find any. Since then, I’ve listened to Avariel’s self-released debut "The Dawn" – and I have to say, it’s one of my favorite surprises of 2010.

What makes "The Dawn" an interesting album is its blend of American and European metal styles. So, you get a mix of straight-forward, riff-driven tracks with more winding, atmospheric epics. You also hear a variety of elements that are common in symphonic metal: sweeping keyboards, soaring female vocals, occasional death grunts, and short choral passages. This gives "The Dawn" a sense of balance and dynamism, which is accentuated by the band’s skillful performances. From Jay Narbonne’s dynamic drumming to Michael Rose’s intricate guitar and keyboard work, the music oozes passion and elegance. And, no one will forget Shannon Kelly (Ryan’s sister) when they first hear her sing. Though not classically trained, her voice has the power and clarity that complements this type of metal.

"The Dawn" kicks off with the rally call "Bleed." Right away, the swift beat, sharp riffs, and mounting synths commands the listener’s attention. Shannon’s lyrics in this song are clear and empowering: "Fight proud / For what you stand for / It’s all you have / They’ll come to take it all." "Tunnel’s Light" is also bombastic, with calm verses contrasting with the more forceful chorus. The ballads also contribute variety to the album. "Especially Alone" is a forlorn, heavily orchestrated power ballad that steadily builds in force and emotion. "Dark Harbor," on the other hand, creeps along slow guitar riffs and suspenseful string arrangements. This gives the song an air of mystery and lures your imagination to a midnight scene where a ship with black sails slinks into a still-water lagoon. It’s just enough to send shivers up your spine.

"The Dawn" also has its share of surprises. For example, after three melodious tracks comes the fierce, belligerent "Victim." It’s an assault of sounds from start to end: Drums and guitar riffs swelling with the keyboards, Shannon trading lines with "gang vocal" chants, and rhythm guitarist Scott McDonald growling during the final pummeling seconds. Another surprise is the quality of Avariel’s longest songs. The somber "Still" and the closing ballad "Phoenix" have progressive elements and theatrical keys that add melodrama at the right moments. The latter track itself is impressive. Most bands don’t attempt a 12-minute epic on their debut album. With "Phoenix," however, Avariel succeeds with the massive undertaking and presents listeners with an opus of that’s intense, melancholy, and daring all at once.

Like most debut albums, "The Dawn" has its flaws, though they are only few. The weakest track on the album is "In Heaven." This vigorous number features the duality between Shannon and Scott’s vocals, but it lacks strong melodies and sounds forced compared to other songs on "The Dawn." Besides this, the final mix of the music sounds unbalanced at times. It seems to favor higher-pitched sounds such as Shannon’s voice and the keyboards and strings over the other instruments. This tactic can work with symphonic metal bands – but it can also backfire when certain moments in the music (such as the first verse of "Still," where Shannon competes to be heard over the strings) make the listener cringe.

Regardless, "The Dawn" excels at proving one point: You can find promising local talent just about anywhere in the world. I probably wouldn’t have discovered Avariel for a while if I hadn’t gone to the Epica show in January, and I like what I’ve heard from "The Dawn" enough to say with confidence that Avariel is a band to watch for. Listeners will find plenty on "The Dawn" to make them happy, from its musical diversity and technicality, to Shannon’s strong vocal performance. Even more important is Avariel’s effective blending of its intercontinental influences. Many American bands have tried to unite American and European metal styles and have only concocted the musical equivalent of watered-down espresso. Avariel, however, has created a healthy, cohesive fusion of these two distinct styles of metal. This is why "The Dawn" will appeal to fans on both sides of the Atlantic and beyond – and why Avariel may be one of the next American bands to make a major breakthrough.

8 / 10

Best Songs: "Victim," "Dark Harbor," "Phoenix"

Recommended for fans of Within Temptation, Evanescence, Epica, and other female-fronted symphonic metal bands

For more information on how to purchase "The Dawn," visit Avariel on  Myspace  or Facebook