Post by Follow The Hollow on Jan 23, 2006 17:43:36 GMT -5
What can be said about Dark Tranquillity that hasn't already been said? Not much. The longest standing band of the world renowned Gothenburg sound, this band and their music have been banging heads since 1989. The band has maintained relatively the same lineup throughout their long career, with minor changes here and there (more notably, seeing Anders Frieden to In Flames, and the at the time In Flames vocalist Mikael Stanne join DT). This is alright in my mind, though; not only do I prefer Mikael's deeper and less whiny vocals versus Anders', Mikael is also a much better writer. And what else should you expect from the other members of the band? Alot of guitar harmonies from Martin H and Niklas Sundin, mechanic drumming from Anders (Jivarp), and bass you can actually hear provided by Michael Niklasson. Dark Tranquillity is one of few melodic death bands to have keyboards in their songs, and yet Martin B incorporates the keys perfectly into the songs without losing the rawness of the music. "Character" in my opinion, was one of their most brilliant records to date.
1. The New Build - This is what turns me on; great drumming, great guitars, and a fast tempo. Brilliant. A +
2. Through Smudged Lenses - This song could be written off as filler, if it weren't for Mikael's exceptional lyrics. This song got some internet award for its lyrics, but no one really cares. B
3. Out of Nothing - Wait? Whats that in the intro? Is it bass? On a metal record? Impossible! But true. Good overall song, notice the keyboards add to the song without taking over, unlike what another Gothenburg band tried to do on a previous record. B+
4. The Endless Feed - Probably my least favorite song on the album. I just couldnt get into it. The only thing that saves this song from being garbage is the above average chorus. C+
5. Lost to Apathy - Another great song that has it all. Great harmonies, great vocals, enough keyboards but not too much, and the same exceptional drumming. Dark Tranquillity probably spent alot of time on this song, when they should have been perfecting songs like the Endless Feed. But it doesn't matter, the results of this song are remarkable. A
6. Mind Matters - A good overall song, nothing spectacular, but you can't skip this one. Listen to a song like this and then listen to a song like In Flames' "Dead Alone". Neither song is released as a single, but can you tell that In Flames is trying to sound heavy, and lose alot of the integrity of the song because of the constant low notes. The thing with Dark Tranquillity; they dont tune down to A, they haven't changed their style since 1988, and they know when not to play. B +
7. One Thought - This is my favorite song on the entire album. Martin and Niklas provide a smoking riff during the into and verse, and the feeling just carries through the entire song. This song takes me back to the days of "Haven". A
8. Dry Run - Picture this. An entire crowd of people at a metal show. A crapload of hair bobbing up in down in a tidal wave to a song. THIS is the song. Again, the keyboards add the extra element to the song without taking over. Very cool riff at 2:07. A -
9. Am I 1? - This song is mostly filler. Nothing spectacular about it, even Mikael's lyrics are mediocre. Only the chorus would even hint at being Melodic Death Metal. B -
10. Senses Tied - A keyboard into, but the song quickly turns into a song much like "The New Build" or "Cathode Ray Sunshine". Surprisingly, by now, the songs haven't even begun to sound repetitive. Its because Martin and Niklas are great guitar players, who have so many ideas, it would be impossible for them to sound repetitive. A
11. My Negation - If you're familiar with any previous Dark Tranquillity albums, you know that the last song on the album is usually the weakest, and tends to drag on and on. Well, this song lives up to its expectations of not performing. Clocking in at just under six and a half minutes, this song could easily have been an instrumental based on the last two minutes of the song. If I were you, I'd just skip straight to 4:32, where the song should have started, because nothing before it is worth listening to. However, those last two minutes are brilliant. They show how much having a keyboard player can influence your music. B -
Follow The Hollow's Rating: A -
1. The New Build - This is what turns me on; great drumming, great guitars, and a fast tempo. Brilliant. A +
2. Through Smudged Lenses - This song could be written off as filler, if it weren't for Mikael's exceptional lyrics. This song got some internet award for its lyrics, but no one really cares. B
3. Out of Nothing - Wait? Whats that in the intro? Is it bass? On a metal record? Impossible! But true. Good overall song, notice the keyboards add to the song without taking over, unlike what another Gothenburg band tried to do on a previous record. B+
4. The Endless Feed - Probably my least favorite song on the album. I just couldnt get into it. The only thing that saves this song from being garbage is the above average chorus. C+
5. Lost to Apathy - Another great song that has it all. Great harmonies, great vocals, enough keyboards but not too much, and the same exceptional drumming. Dark Tranquillity probably spent alot of time on this song, when they should have been perfecting songs like the Endless Feed. But it doesn't matter, the results of this song are remarkable. A
6. Mind Matters - A good overall song, nothing spectacular, but you can't skip this one. Listen to a song like this and then listen to a song like In Flames' "Dead Alone". Neither song is released as a single, but can you tell that In Flames is trying to sound heavy, and lose alot of the integrity of the song because of the constant low notes. The thing with Dark Tranquillity; they dont tune down to A, they haven't changed their style since 1988, and they know when not to play. B +
7. One Thought - This is my favorite song on the entire album. Martin and Niklas provide a smoking riff during the into and verse, and the feeling just carries through the entire song. This song takes me back to the days of "Haven". A
8. Dry Run - Picture this. An entire crowd of people at a metal show. A crapload of hair bobbing up in down in a tidal wave to a song. THIS is the song. Again, the keyboards add the extra element to the song without taking over. Very cool riff at 2:07. A -
9. Am I 1? - This song is mostly filler. Nothing spectacular about it, even Mikael's lyrics are mediocre. Only the chorus would even hint at being Melodic Death Metal. B -
10. Senses Tied - A keyboard into, but the song quickly turns into a song much like "The New Build" or "Cathode Ray Sunshine". Surprisingly, by now, the songs haven't even begun to sound repetitive. Its because Martin and Niklas are great guitar players, who have so many ideas, it would be impossible for them to sound repetitive. A
11. My Negation - If you're familiar with any previous Dark Tranquillity albums, you know that the last song on the album is usually the weakest, and tends to drag on and on. Well, this song lives up to its expectations of not performing. Clocking in at just under six and a half minutes, this song could easily have been an instrumental based on the last two minutes of the song. If I were you, I'd just skip straight to 4:32, where the song should have started, because nothing before it is worth listening to. However, those last two minutes are brilliant. They show how much having a keyboard player can influence your music. B -
Follow The Hollow's Rating: A -
