Gothtober-Creeper : "Sanguivore II: Mistress Of Death"

 

The British goth wannabes Creeper have learned from many of the mistakes that plagued the previous album, though some of the anthemic glam rock feel is there, the opening track of their new album makes an effort ot be heavier. The chorus of falsetto vocals that open "Blood Magick" feels more like the Dakness, but they divert back into a more 69 Eyes feel for the verse. "Headstone" is like a more aggressive version of Unto Others on the verses before taking off into European power metal for the chorus. There are so many layers of vocals that I can not tell if he has improved as a singer or not. 

I get a clearer picture that the execution is gettting closer to hitting the mark on "Prey For the Night" that sounds like H.I,M on the verses and Cheap Trick on the chorus. The more metallic intentions are diminished on this one. Then the same formula seems to be in motion on perhaps the more 70-s anthemic 'Daydreaming in the Dark " which finds the vocal sounding like Devin Townsend produced them. It's not as effective as the previous song. When they stick closer to the goth rock conventiuons things go better, I don't think this is justs due to my personal preferences I think this is what works best within their range of execution as "Parasite" is the best song so far even if it does wink in the direction of "Feed My Frankenstein".

The dramatic flare of "Razor Wire' finds female vocals belting things out with suitable conviction, and creating a cabret style Concrete Blonde feel which works well enough ." the Black House" fidns them trying to sound like Sisters of Mercy, which feels like they captured the sound of it but not the heart. The bright 70s arena rock moments feels like they were once a Darkness cover band that decided gettting creepy was what the kids these days really wanted, so they are dressing up for Halloween. This theory is given more weight on "the Crimson Bride". He does a better vampire impersonation in places, but it feels like acting. The last song really shits the bed it sounds like a Meatloaf power ballad. While there are some improvements some of things they do on this album go the wrong direction, and move away from what they are trying to do so I will give it a 7, if you like H.I.M and Meatloaf then this is your new favorite band I only like one half of that equation and you alreqady know which one. 

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