After more of an intro-piece, the German band cranks back into their tense goth rock. They are very driving, but I would not call this song metal. They crunch into a heavier mood that owes more to doom on "Gardens Red, Satanical". The melodic and mournful guitar helps counterpoint the grandiose arrangement of the song. They are quick to break out the goth power ballads just three songs in. A weepy piano pitters around for a while, before they ease into the build-up, taking a page out of the 69 Eyes playbook. The vocals are more resonant and graceful than the singer from 69 Eyes. The distorted guitars could stand to be mixed further up, to make the most of what they are going for.
The songs bleed into one another, but to this band's credit have enough dynamics and mood, to keep anything from taking on a uniform sound. The first time they remember they are a metal band is on "The Premature Burial". The guitar is pretty biting, and complimented by the snarled vocals. The harsher vocals are really well produced. "Mother of Toads" eases back into a more melodic chamber music-like cadence. The vocals start off in a dramatic whisper. Not the album's catchiest song, but I appreciate how it builds.
The interludes on this album remind me of the "Sounds of the Haunted House " album I listened to as a child. From a songwriting perspective, things click together best on "The Undying One". It has both dynamics and gripping melodies, which are the things I listen for in music no matter the genre. This song just flows better than some of the previous ones. "Evil Dreams Run Deep" comes galloping out of it with machine-like heaviness. The baritone vocals continue to sing with solemn grace over this. Though a few harsh snarls begin to emerge.
They continue on solid footing with 'The Witch With Eyes of Amber". They balance the morose narrative with a commanding stomp. "Canticle" goes after things with an almost blackened fury. Not sure this side of heavy is their most compelling sound, but it works well enough. "To Drink Frome Lethe" is a sprawling romantic-sounding slab of death doom, but where the bulk of the album finds them with their identity intact, this song feels like it's just another band who wants to sound like My Dying Bride. Despite this, I will still give this album a 9, as the great moments outnumber the lapses into the status quo.
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