This is Finnish goth metal men
Reflexion's clumsily titled second album, a follow up to 2006's
'Out Of The Dark'. Such is the style of the music that the dark and downbeat tone remains. It's all artifice of course. This is essentially pop metal dressed from head to toe in black. A fashion statement designed to sell singles and albums.
You have to admit that
Reflexion do it extremely well. If anything, the swirling, melancholy undertow that pulled the debut along has strengthened, dragging us down into a powerful undercurrent of emotionally charged melodies and sinuous hooks.
No point swimming against the tide here, the band's songs may not be immediate, but just keep on coming till it's pointless to resist.
Openers
'Non Stop Glorious Ride' and
'Embrace Of Wrath' are worthy without being genuine contenders. It's the first single
'Twilight Child', and the energetic, darkly sparkling
'Dancing In The Air' that truly set the pulse rate soaring.
Behind the growls and gothic greasepaint, outstandingly good tracks like
'Dead Without You', second single,
'Weak And Tired' and
'Forever Got Too Long' mainline on the sound of roaring guitars and the sweet rush of nicely crafted pop tunes.
Elsewhere, the album is strewn with theatrical vocals and melodramatic moments.
'The One With No Name' and
'Black Is The Colour Of Your Life' ratchet up the intensity levels to near breaking point, but manage to stop short of the point of no return, staying just this side of rock credibility, while closer
'Just One Word' turns everything on its head and ends the album on an acoustic, considered note.
Good band, one to watch.
Written by
Brian Thursday, November 6, 2008
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