~FIVE STARS~=============This is without question one of the finest female fronted Metal outfits I've ever heard. It's highly melodic, and straight forward Metal for the most part, but there's something special going on beyond that here. These are some great musicians in their own right, and there's something to be said about a band that can produce great song writing. AMARAN does it all with "Pristine In Bondage"....I'm a huge Lacuna Coil fan, and this is the closest thing I've heard in comparison. Although I will say AMARAN is heavier than Lacuna Coil...AMARANs' sound is a classic expample of old-school Heavy Metal rather than the new age experimental approach that Lacuna Coil seems to delve into more and more. There's no keys here, or weird elements involved, it's more "Heavy Metal" than say "Goth Metal" in that aspect. Very catchy riffs, excellet melodic guitars, and galloping drum beats....Maidenistic one said???....Indeed. This is like a new age Maiden, fronted by a female vocalist, with Lacuna Coil dripped in for good measure. "Pristine In Bondage" is a masterpiece....AMARAN can hold it's own, and "Pristine In Bondage" is proof of that. Buy it with the upmost confidence...