Gothtober - Cold In Berlin : "Wounds"

Cold in Berlin is a band from London that is one of my favorites when it comes to newer bands blending goth with more aggressive forms of music. Their last full-length crossed over into doom, and here they are circling similar sonic places. The opening track of their new album blurs the lines even further, carrying a darker, more pulsating beat. Maya continues to belt things out with the expected intensity. The hypnotic pulse of "12 Crosses" shares some common ground with grunge from the '90s, while also employing more exotic flourishes of atmosphere. 

"Messiah Crawling' aligns itself more closely to doom with its deliberate rumble that leaves plenty of room for Maya to express herself as the bass line lurks. "They Reign" is likea more forboding take on Concrete Blonde, a blues storm brewing with the tension. "The Stranger" finds synths setting the stage to create a more Siouxsie and the Banshees-like vibe. The more metallic undertow of the song pulls you for the more rock-focused chorus.  

The first song that carries a more bong-laden boogie is at the opening of "We Fall," which finds the verse taking it into a more psychedelic, introspective direction that recalls late 60s bands. Unlike some doomy bands that do not get mired in having their songs all have the same, nor is there much in the way of a Black Sabbath influence that haunts what they do. I have noticed more of a 60s psych sound cropping up in places. By the time we get to "I Will Wait," it's the fact that the more Jefferson Airplane vibes take precedence, and there is little of the post-punk tension, as the bigger dynamics carry more of a metal punch to them, even if it is not overt. Even when things build to a more frantic pace. The last song simmers in speculation, More of a thoughtful spoken word over the drone of the guitar., This moment might be more post-punk, but the overall feel of this album is doom, though dark enough for more goth-leaning listeners.I will give this album a 9.5 

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