The black marrigage of goth and metal has been attempted with various results bands like Type O and My dying Bride being the most triumphant in this regard, but other bands like Atriarch and In Solitude who did not garner as much of a c ult following were still artistically sucessful and left a void in their wake, that has only come close to being filled by a band like Grave Pleassures, who still lean more on the goth sidde of things with more punk tenencies than metal, Unto Other has mad eand effort and the new Final Graps is perhaps closer to what I want , though this band from New Yporkfinds themselves on the more metalic sie of what In Solitude once tried.
The vocals are the only shakey part of this foundation, they work on the first song, but are more uncertain on the second so hey are goibng to be what makes or breaks them here. I orefer the more atmospheric balance they strike on "Snakeland's Pull". There is more ghoulish aggression on "Knight Rider". The romanticized darkness they linger in holds melody even when the vocal drop into more of a growl. Their more aggressive side is not as death metal as say Tribulation, but carries more of a punch than Unto Otthers.
The moodiness brings a new level of emotional depth to the sonic pulse found in "Dungeon of Love", here there is more of a Feilds of the Nephilim feel. The vocals are working better but they are sitting further into the mx. There is more of a 80 vibe to "Sanctuary' which I appreciate. This is one of the album's best vocal performances andd perhaps the album's hookiest song.. "Trouble With Demons" finds the vocals almost more spoek on the verses which does not work as well to my ears.The last song works well, as the vocal deliever and the mood is gloomy enough for me in it's introspection.The vocals are effective enough to get the job done so I will give this album a 9 and see how it grows on.
pst383
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