Dark Tranquility
Projector
Century Media
Well-crafted, intricate dark metal, with slight elements of classic Swedish (they’re Swedes) death metal, but more along the lines of heavy gothic opera. Which, I assume is what the “Gotebourg sound” is all about, according to the liner notes. I’m reminded of the more experimental metal bands looking to fuse classical elements (Therion comes to mind, but Dark Tranquility, while certainly desiring interesting vocals, isn’t necessarily doing what Therion is), and a lot of classic rocking heavy metal with modern metal. The leads and solos on “Nether Novas” are straight out of some wild Blue Oyster Cult orgy, while lyrically it’s totally up-to-the minute gristly growls and screams of pain.
“Day to End,” on the other hand, starts off with minimalist electronica mixed with lonely vocals, something on the order of what – shudder to think – one of those poof bands like Depeche Mode started out doing before they went dance crazy. It’s a cold, sad tune, all the same. Most of the album’s ten songs are powerful, driving heavy metal (um, “Dobermann” sounds like Carnivore covering “Children of the Grave” – how’s that for cutting to the roots?) that will satisfy all metalheads.
Century Media, 1453-A 14th St., Suite 324, Santa Monica, CA 90404; http://www.centurymedia.com
