This Norwegian band was once more of a metal act, after they had already been a goth band, and now they have reached a middle road with their post-covid comeback. The second song finds them building into a more driven hard rock, but album opens with the more metallic intensity dialed back a bit. It does lend the space to establish melodies. There is a slight hint of the Northern European folk history of their homeland creeping into "This Hell is Mine". If I had to rank them regarding who they fall closest to in terms of heaviness and darkness, the 69 Eyes would be a fair zip code to place them near, but they are not enamored by 80s Sunset Strip glamour, and are content in the world of their own creation that is reflected in the lyrical mythology.
Vocally "This Hell is Mine" is one of the more dynamically executed songs, with melodies that stick with you. The folk thing is pushed into a more theatrical place on "Deeper" as the story telling takes a bardic level to paint a picture of another time for you. They do gain some intensity here when the dynamic shifts as the song The bounce to "Right Here in the Dark" reminds me of Concrete Blonde. Vocally the croon comes closer to the Cult. Repetition plays to their flavor here , as the guitar circles it in layers. "Not By Blood But By Words" works of a drone that is decorated by a great deal of melodrama.
The album closes with a folky strummed power ballad, that is smoothly crooned, but still instilled with the the sense of theater. It does have a dynamic ebb and flow but none of the melodies really grab me. The guitars break down so the story telling comes to the forefront, but it feels like the songs in a musical that are to move the story forward rather than a centerpiece tune. I will give this album an 8.5, I like what they are doing , this kind of steampunk rock is not really my thing , but comes close enough to goth for me to enjoy it, though fans of the band should eagerly embrace what is unfolding here.
No comments:
Post a Comment