Amberian Dawn released their new album “Temptation’s Gates” on the 26th of June 2026, first album since 2022 and also the first one with their new singer, Nicole Willerton. They had released the four first songs as singles previously to announce this new era.
The Finnish symphonic and melodic metal band created in 2007 is still led by the keyboardist, songwriter and guitarist Tuomas Seppälä, accompanied by Emil Pohjalainen, Jukka Hoffrén and Joonas Pykälä-aho, rejoined now by DARK’s singer Nicole Willerton who replaces Capri Virkkunen.
Nicole Willerton truly gives a new breath to Amberian Dawn. This album is quite short (10 songs, 36 minutes) but is very efficient. It is heavier than what we were used to in the previous albums (especially as the last one was an ABBA metal tribute). The sound goes more metal but also the singing thanks to Nicole’s growl like in “Unchained” (original song). Still we can find the melodic aspect that is the band’s signature. This album definitely has a new energy that is refreshing, and I would even say, necessary.
It starts well with the song “Temptation’s Gates” that directly shows Nicole’s powerful and melodic voice. “The Vision of Dreaming” continues with catchy rhythm and roaring guitar, but still heavier and more metal than in previous album “Looking for You”. It looks like the band is bringing back their origins in this new album to go further. We can find some similarities with songs from the first album “River of Tuoni” regarding the guitar and the rhythm, but this new album definitely goes heavier and faster.
Nicole Willerton is also an impressive singer. In the next song “Moon” she shows her range as she sings lower than previously. She can go high but also low without any difficulty, the same way she can do clear singing and growled vocals without issues. She is a versatile singer and I have no doubt she has a great future in Amberian Dawn.
In “Unchained” we don't only have growl singing, we also have a very nice guitar solo. Tuomas Seppälä said in an interview that he was happy to play guitar more and I think the fans are happy as well! Globally this album lets the guitar take up a bigger space than the keyboard compared to previous albums, which also contributes to the heavier, more metal atmosphere.
We still have the melodic aspect, particularly in “Life is Art” for example, that was always a characteristic of Amberian Dawn, but we have not only a heavier side, we also have a catchier aspect. “This Night is Waiting for Me” or the last song “Phantasmagoria” will definitely be one of those songs with a chorus that the crowd will sing along live!
The Finnish band signs with “Temptation’s Gates” a great comeback with a new, more metal-driven identity that will most probably pleased the fans after an ABBA metal tribute album. I think they will reserve a very good welcome to Nicole Willerton. She showed in this album that she is ready for everything Amberian Down wants to do, from the symphonic singing to the growl vocals as well as the more catchy-poppy style. If the album is quite short and isn’t really original, it is definitely a very good start for a new era that I hope will be successful!
I am truly looking forward to seeing what will be next for Amberian Down, and I won’t resist the temptation to listen to this album again and again until the next one! I give a good 80% to this comeback.
Written by Céline Fetel