Emina – Take #1 (2012)
… powerful, emotionally charged vocals combined with a raw soul-ripping sound… an exceptional band centering around young rock singer Emina … cutting edge female fronted rock and intense ballads … Jennifer Stoker, Independent Music and Media
Emina was going to be a singer, it was her destination in life and she had always known it since she was a child. Raised in a small town between folk, country music and line dance she chose idols like Bruce Dickinson and David Coverdale; Whitesnake and Black Sabbath were her daily diet, and at the age of 16 she started working in several bands. As soon as school was finished she left home to further her career. Some years of coaching with an opera singer, cooperations with different producers and songwriters, playing lots of gigs with lots of bands followed, and when she won a casting show she found herself in the offices of a big label. She was signed for five years. Several singles, videos and an album were released, earning her local fame and touring with Moti¶rhead, Uriah Heep and The Cult. Essentially being an internationally minded person she moved to Europe after the five years were up, and drew up in Vienna in 2010 with eleven original tracks in her mind. She found a congenial partner in SixtySix Records for the release. A band was formed – from the very beginning there was magic between the four musicians. Mary, a pro drummer was so much taken with Eminas songs that she virtually rediscovered her talent for rock drumming. Andy on bass, formerly a much asked for session musician in Vienna dropped all his current engagements to dedicate himself fully to this new project. He and Steve on guitar had played together earlier, their projects back then had shared the stage with Alannah Myles, Manfred Mann and Uriah Heep.
Two months after the forming of the band they played a rock festival and in May 2011 the first four tracks of the new album were released digitally as an EP. Media, radio and fan reactions from all over the world were enthusiastic – feedback came from far and wide lik the USA and Canada, Chile, Australia, the UK, the Netherlands, Russia and Japan
What others say … the vocal delivery is powerful, the music is often considerably strong … those vocals carry through in a rock diva meets AOR approach … some tunes power out with rather metallic hard rock, some are more stripped back modern rock tunes. The vocals seem in line with Pat Benatar mixed with a more modern female singing style, some again call to mind Pesch. Ballads like “Don’t Need Words” and “I’m Leaving” are an adventure into mainstream music, powered up ballad based numbers that allow Emina to show off respectable vocal chops. They feel like something that would do well on either pop radio or an AOR station … G. W. Hill, Music Street Journal … the guitar playing … is absolutely killer, but what is most compelling is how well Emina’s (also the name of the lead singer) voice really shines through the music … a highlight of the album is the ballad “I’m Leaving.” No hard rock album would be complete without the classic ballad, and on “I’m Leaving” Enima goes for it with complete success. If by the time the line “Don’t ever follow me I’m not who you want me to be” kicks in and you aren’t fist pumping then this album probably isn’t for you … Enima blend the nostalgic elements of the early 80s hard rock yet seem to keep it sounding completely authentic. This album will be a favorite among fans of groups ranging from Heart to Motorhead.
01. Speeding On A Highway
02. Action Girl
03. Long Lost Trace
04. I Am the Future
05. Don’t Need Words
06. Bitch
07. Leaving
08. Carry Me
09. True Reason
10. (That’s Why) I’m Screaming
11. Go to Hell
Emina – Take #1 (2012)