The
Candlemass re-reunion with vocalist Messiah Marcolin didn't last for more than one album, some live shows and half an album recording. Robert Lowe of Solitude Aeturnus sings on "King of the Grey Islands" and he does an outstanding job here.
Doom Metal is the agonizing order of the day. The music has been perfectly roasted over a burning fire of heavy riffs, powerful drumming and melodies that slowly but surely are grilled to tender perfection. A deep atmosphere haunts the album from start to finish.
The emperor of the Void convincingly kicks off the album in high gear. Robert's voice is raw with a certain deepness to it and he captures the melody very well.
Devil Seed takes the slower, more creepy approach but is no less effective. There is a real neck crunching riff in this one and many layers to discover.
Of stars and smoke is ruled by one of those big sweeping melodies that keeps on evolving. A superb chugging riff sets it off and when the chorus arrives I am sold. A fantastic song.
Only with
Demonia 6 (good title) and
Destroyer does the album take a dive and the music tends to get a bit, well, boring, for lack of a better word.
Man of Shadows slowly steers the album back on track and the last two songs are among the highlights. Right from the opening riff it is obvious that
Clearsight is something special. As Robert sings the opening line
"We set sails, in July..." a special feeling is captured. The music continues to underline the vocal melodies, and this song is just extremely well done.
Embracing the Styx ends the album on a desperate note. Keyboard is used sparingly, but wonderfully throughout the album and parts of this song are good examples of how the atmosphere is enhanced by the keyboard, which suddenly lingers way at the back of the sound. An acoustic passage ends the album on a relaxing, yet haunting note.
While it is an album that demands a special mood to be enjoyed fully, it is no doubt a great release.
Written by
Steen Monday, July 9, 2007
Show all reviews by SteenRatingsSteen: 7.5/10Members: No members have rated this album yet.
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