The spelling of this band's name is not all that has changed. A great deal of this might hinge on how this album is mixed much differently than the others. Electronic elements play a greater role, the first track is more of an intro that foreshadows the shift of direction. This is a concept album of sorts as the lyrical theme of sexual assault singer Milena Eva experienced at the age of 19 is the pervading theme. It reflects upon the long-term effects, judging from the track "Spring" it seems to explore how this unfold in a linear fashion. "Strawberry Supper" is dark but not in the manner we think of when it comes to defining something as goth. It is more of a stark empty reflection of melancholy. As far as the story goes this clues you in on their existing relationship and her thoughts on the aftermath. Sonically it does build heavier though the guitar is not used in the more blunt chord assault that have struck you with in the past.
"Like Magic" explores the dissociation and disconnect from the physical body one can experience . Art here is being used as the catharsis, perhaps this process of getting it out is what leads to the coat of armor we see her wearing on the album cover. There is more tension to the buzz of guitar here, though it sticks back behind the vocals rather than the vocals sitting in the wall of guitars as we have more commonly heard from this band. Milena is reaching into her more fragile upper register on this album though her voice is more confident as an alto. It works to convey the kind of vulnerability reflected in the lyrics. They do launch into some closer to black metal in the stormy speed the song simmer in. The is a electronic pulse bubbling under the vocals of "Spring". The phrasing of the vocals is not as melodic and hooky as what we heard in the past from her. The storm cloud converge around the builds of this song. The strength her is oddly lying in the more subtle layers . This is due to in someway the best production this band has had , that also deconstructs the more defining elements of what they do.
"Invisible" shows more of the progression and how trauma is integrated into moving forward into the new normal of daily life. While I appreciate this reflection on a deeper level, when it comes to music at the end of the day the question that has to be asked is how good are the songs and are we rocking out ? The guitar is more intricate rather than the barrage of post hard core chords they have charge at your ears with in the past. It is almost like a tug of war from being Milena's solo album and working in the context of the band as she is given the bulk of the focus. Perhaps this being a more band focused effort could have avoided moments like when the ambiance consumes the song. They charge back in a more effective fashion with "Notes on How to Trust" that give the vocals room to breathe without allowing them to meander too far from course. The title track fully dives into a more electronic direction that had more in common with Bjork than rock music. I think a band like the Gathering fused these two sounds better as there is not a great deal to keep you hooked in.
While I am fine with change, perhaps this is indeed a solo album. You could say if they were going to do this they should have changed the name of the band, but they already did that so no complaints there. Instead we are getting depressive Imogen Heap. I do think this is handled better on the last song which blends the more electronic elements with vocals that click into place with the song and more intense dynamics. It finds the guitar going and locking in with things to create a more organic medium. I will give this album a 9 which is better than most bands can achieve however I feel this album falls a little short of when they worked as a machine , granted this had a greater emotional range, but is a case where the singer takes up more space,. Healing from trauma is about learning how to let people in again and becoming part of a greater hole rather than self isolating with pain which is what this album does perhaps consciously.
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