AMORPHIS
“Tuonela”
Spinefarm / Nuclear Blast Records
rating: 5 of 6
Finally, a new, long-awaited CD from Finland’s most famous band! “Tuonela” features a bit renovated lineup, with Pekka Kasari on drums and Santeri Kalio on synths and saxophone. Regarding unusual instruments, the sitar is here as well, played by Tomi Koivusaari. In my view, “Tuonela” is undoubtedly a way better than “Karelian Isthmus” and “Elegy”, standing very close to the “Tales From The Thousand Lakes” perfection. It’s even more ‘60 / ‘70s-oriented, with plenty of folk elements as always, although it differs a lot from f.ex. “Elegy”. First of all, thanks to those sax passages in the background as well as new, unusual approach to arrangements. Secondly, vocals sound a bit different this time. By the way, I bet most of you will be glad to hear that growling is back! Check out the “Greed” tune! All in all, “Tuonela” strikes as very interesting, innovating and various effort, so… my special recommendations. It’s really ‘tasty’. (Herr Stalhammar)

ARISE FROM THORNS
“Arise From Thorns”
self-released
rating: 5 of 6
United States surprisingly bring more and more ‘dark wave’ acts despite the fact that such bands were always considered to be a Europe’s prerogative. But what’s most important, ARISE FROM THORNS is not just some regular LACRIMOSA-clone, they have their sound and style, their own approach towards that ‘gothic’ art… Perhaps, this band could be described as America’s PENITENT, but a ‘metal’ one. This CD contains eight tunes of magnificent, bewitching music, being extremely calm and affectionate, sometimes utterly lacking electric guitar, although they doesn’t sound commercial at all. This trio’s creations are based on female voice, piano and acoustic guitars whose passages seem to be simply amazing… Unfortunately this girl doesn’t possess anything extraordinary when it comes to her voice, although she contrives to sing in an absolutely astounding way – “To Dance By Moonlight” looks like a best proof to my words… Such tunes as “The Calling” and “Fire Of Night” are also worth attention due to their… hmm, no, that’s not correct. ALL tunes here should be marked out instead of one single song… “Arise From Thorns” is definitely one of my favorite gothic / dark wave CDs among those I’ve listened to lately. (Herr Stalhammar)

ARTROSIS
“Hidden Dimension”
Hall Of Sermon
rating: 1 of 6
This is a CD released almost simultaneously with DREAMS OF SANITY’s “Masquerade”, although it stands far, really far from the latter band’s greatness. I fear I liked former CD from ARTROSIS much more… “Hidden Dimension” represents some boring and monotonous (fag)gothic crap with weak female voice, also featuring two songs in Polish, but who cares…? This output isn’t even mediocre – it’s pure nonsense. (Herr Stalhammar)

AVERON
“Serenity”
Unisound Records
rating: 5 of 6
One more decent CD from absolutely pathetic label… AVERON come from Sweden and sound a lot like their countrymates in the shape of TRISTITIA, although in contrast to Louis Galvez and co. they don’t have anything in common with the genre of black metal. “Serenity” represents majestic, sublime and utterly depressive cross between doom and heavy metal, i.e. the sort of stuff bands like SOLSTICE and MEMORY GARDEN used to compose… All of the tunes featured here appear as quite slow ones, with “clean” though a bit husky vocals, powerful riffs and anxious, diquieting synths… This CD captures absolutely inimitable atmosphere, therefore I guess I should recommend to all those who’re into sorrow and mourning being reproduced through music… Too bad that this album is rather short when it comes to it’s running time… If it had more songs like “Believers Of The Cross”, “Endless Agony”, “Caught Up By Time” or “A Mortal Deception” and was at least ten minutes longer… - I’d probably mark it with ‘a masterpiece’… (Herr Stalhammar)

CRYHAVOC
“Sweetbriers”
Spinefarm Records
rating: 5 of 6 (Lazar)
Here we have excellent doom / heavy metal, reminding a bit of SENTENCED’s “Amok”… Well combined moves successfully harmonize with memorable refrains and raw frontman’s voice, while both, production and performance, strike as extremely impressive ones… This is the kind of stuff I’d highly recommend to those who’re into melodic and commercial music, f.ex. like LAKE OF TEARS and late SENTENCED (circa “Down” and “Frozen”)… (Lazar)

DAWN OF DREAMS
“Fragments”
Candlelight Records
rating: 5 of 6
Recently, Candlelight Records (who’ve been known as a label releasing splendid BM efforts) signed lots of doom metal acts, and what’s most strange – most of them suck (like DAEONIA or ELEGEION, for example), the fact which surprised me a lot, since I always thought that Candlelight bosses have a good taste in music. Fortunately, Austria’s DAWN OF DREAMS can’t be reckoned to aforementioned bands’ category… “Fragments” is already a second CD from them, and it’s a way better than “Amber”, eventhough it was very good piece of art. This trio performs doom metal mixed with dark wave stuff, and I found this mixture to be rather perfect! Combining growling with declamation-alike vocals (which often change into “clean” voices), pure doom metal passages with atmospheric and tribal parts, programmed drumset with brutal guitars, this band contrives to create something of their own… At least, this CD has very special feeling to it… there’s certain magic here. (Herr Stalhammar)

DREAMS OF SANITY
“Masquerade”
Hall Of Sermon
rating: 6 of 6
What’s happening to me? More and more albums from gothic / dark wave genre appeal to me in a highly positive way despite that I used to drag them into shit formerly… Maybe I’m just becoming old (ha ha) and my soul demands more tranquil music…? Ha, that’s not the answer… I guess, it happens because I got some luck during the months I’m working on this issue, so I receive only good albums when it comes to gothic-oriented stuff. “Masquerade” is already a second CD from this Austria’s band, and it’s truly a pity that I haven’t heard the first one! “Masquerade” begins with “Opera” intro, really sounding ‘operatic’ with those orchestral arrangements, and then turns into “The Phantom Of The Opera” tune which is my favorite piece here, in fact being the quintessense of this band’s creations… It features very cordial, affectionate and gentle music, ravishing to distraction, with irreproachable female voices (there’re two female singers in the band) and some pleasant male vocals here and there, enveloped in tremendous and staggering arrangements… Then we have “Masquerade”… ehh… track? play? operetta? Ok, let’s say just “Masquerade”, in four parts + interlude, however none of them may reach “The Phantom Of The Opera” judging by the terms of beauty… Besides aforementioned titles, this CD also has “Within (The Dragon)” (absolutely amazing singing’s passages!), “The Maiden And The River” (also an outstanding tune) and, finally, “Lost Paradise ‘99”. I think, such term as ‘operatic gothic metal’ fits their music perfectly. In the end I should say that, together with few other efforts, this CD undoubtedly is one of the greatest events in a gothic / dark wave genre this year! (Herr Stalhammar)

DUNWICH
“Eternal Eclipse Of Frost”
Rising Sun Productions
rating: A MASTERPIECE
With exception for the few bands, I never liked gothic / dark wave stuff at all, however, there’re still some albums being released that capture my attention and excite me… like this one, for example. Despite that this band’s creations fairly can be defined as ‘metal’, DUNWICH contrived to thrill my imagination with their magical art… It was a bit surprising to see this act on Rising Sun (label which releases mostly power / speed and ‘progressive metal’ bands), although I wasn’t too embarassed because DUNWICH ARE progressive kind of a band. This Italian act’s style is bewitching dark wave, anxious and romantic, affectionate and irreparable… Their vision of this sort of music is really original and non-typical – each riff, each note sounds different from CDs by their ‘genre-mates’. And with those unforgettable female vocals, male barryton, perfect orchestrations (LACRIMOSA’s arrangements truly suck in comparison to the ones created by DUNWICH), string quintet and beautiful lyrics in Italian… ah, even such soulless (heh heh) person as me can’t ignore “Eternal Eclipse Of Frost”… It’s a must. (Herr Stalhammar)

GOLGOTHA
“Elemental Changes”
Repulse Records
rating: 5, 5 of 6
Could you believe me if I told you that I almost hated GOLGOTHA’s former efforts, like “Caves Of Mind” and “The Way Of Confusion” MCDs as well as “Melancholy” full-length CD? And in spite of that, I gave this album, the latest output from this Spanish band, (almost) the highest rating… You see, it just differs a lot from all the crap, mentioned above. There’re no BLACK SABBATH-influenced stuff here; besides that, “Elemental Changes” is also less brutal and surely not so slow, boring and monotonous… it just doesn’t lull you to sleep in contrast to f.ex. “The Way Of Confusion”. ““Elemental Changes” shows a step further in the evolution of the band creating extremely catchy melodies with excellent arrangements and one of the most original and versatile vocalist ever heard on this musical genre (ah!! And no female vocals!!)” – this is the way how Repulse promote them and they can’t be considered to be liars saying that… This CD features very memorable and impressive melodies, being arranged in a splendid way, indeed. However, I can’t say that I agree with the statement praising Amon as “the most original and versatile” singer within the bounds of doom metal. Apart from those hoarse vocals, GOLGOTHA’s stuff reminds me of NATTVINDENS GRAT, especially when it comes to another type of Amon’s singing, i.e. the “clean” voice, rather low-pitched, often turning into some sort of recitatives. This album has that unique taste of gentle melancholy, especially with tunes like “Answers” or “The Wood In Me”, utterly heart-rending pieces tearing out your soul… Seems like that’s all I could say, with an exception for two more interesting moments. The first one goes for the statement featured on the cover saying that “The songs with # (i.e. “The Way Of Confusion”, “The Wood In Me”, “Lifetrappers”, “Answers”, “Save Me, Kiss Me” and “The Proverb”) belong to a conceptual oddisey, about the road we must all go down, to achieve our proposed goals”. And the second one goes for “Love Gun”, a cover from KISS performed by GOLGOTHA, definitely an outstanding one! (Herr Stalhammar)

LADY OF DARKNESS
“Malady”
self-released
rating: 3 of 6
This is very weird, although I think that such definition as ‘poppy funeral music with operatic vocals’ fits this stuff very well. “Malady” features some goth / industrial stuff, rather vanguard and complicated, with utterly insane moves and sick vocals (both, male and female)… I can’t say that I’m very impressed, but I really appreciate when someone tries to create something standing against a background of banality. (Herr Stalhammar)

MADDER MORTEM
“Mercury”
Misanthropy Records
rating: 5 of 6
Misanthropy Records suddenly changed their direction in quite a radical way, - if formerly they released mostly black metal bands (or the ones who had certain connection with that genre) of highest quality and originality, now they signed SOLSTICE, a pagan doom metal band, BABYLON WHORES, pure goth metal, and finally here we have Norway’s MADDER MORTEM whose music will definitely appeal to those who’re totally into early THE 3RD AND THE MORTAL-alike stuff, i.e. sometimes perturbed and enigmatic, gloomy and obscure here and there, but mostly romantic, celestial and exalted… ethereal form of art, being brutal and imponderable in the same time, with charming female voice… This is definitely a must for all those who’re into tremendous and fascinating sort of stuff. As to Misanthropy Recs and aforementioned metamorphosis… I think there’s nothing bad in it – at least, they still release absolutely amazing CDs. Just like this one. (Herr Stalhammar)

MARGOT DAY
“Sacred!”
Future Music
rating: 5 of 6
“Sacred!” is the second official output from this girl, and I liked this thousand times better than her former self-titled MCD. This is much more thoughtout, better composed and performed. At least, now it is MUSIC, in contrast to AN ATTEMPT TO CREATE MUSIC as it was before. Her voice also sounds more impressive and pleasant for the ear(s)… Musically, this is some gothic / dark wave stuff, based on electronics (no guitars here!), with non-typical female voice, well produced and enough original. “Sacred!” divides into two parts – the first one consists of ten songs, rather typical for Margot (“Sacred Life” is the best one when it comes to this part), while the second one appears as a ‘live improvisation’, featuring three tracks of pure experimental, ambient-alike stuff made with fantasy and extremely exciting. I just love these tracks! Are you into Diamanda Galas and others of that ilk? Then this is a must for you. Are you just the fan of mild gothic rock? Check it out. Or, perhaps, you’re a freak on the bands like ILDFROST? Ha, then try it anyway! (Herr Stalhammar)

MISANTHROPE
“Libertine Humiliations”
Holy Records
rating: 5, 5 of 6
After listening to the first songs featured on “Libertine Humiliations”, I was very disappointed, since they seemed to be rather mild and commercial stuff in comparison to the former efforts by MISANTHROPE. You see, I was close to starting to curse Phillippe in following a PARADISE LOST trend, however (lucky me!), these were just the first songs that suck. Later, this CD returns to the usual MISANTHROPE path, this time even more developed and better thoughtout... This band is still one of the few outstanding doom / death metal acts composing the music of their own, unique and avantgarde… The only thing I can’t get into goes for the tunes “Libertine Humiliations” begins with – why the hell did they include them here?? (Herr Stalhammar)

MOONCHILD
“Melomania”
Poison Ivy
rating: -
This is too strange CD (at least, for me) to judge it in a standard way giving it a mark from ‘0’ to ‘6’… Why ‘strange’? Hmm, no, it doesn’t feature anything vanguard, it’s (almost) a usual dark wave CD with leading female vocals (often sounding like NO DOUBT or RADIOHEAD with brutal guitars!), recorded at infamous Impuls Tonstudio with Jan Peter Genkel and Gottfried Koch on keyboards, but… you see, sometimes it sounds extremely annoying, incomprehensible and irritating and you’re near to dragging it into shit, but a couple of minutes pass and here we have absolutely stunning riffs, or stupendous keyboard’s passage, or, finally, magnificent singing’s part… Unfortunately, those ‘irritating’ pieces prevail… (Herr Stalhammar)

MORPHINE ANGEL
“Lovenest + Murderfest”
Delinquent Records
rating: 4 of 6
More gothic rock the old way. This CD is heavily reminiscent of bands like THE SISTERS OF MERCY and CHRISTIAN DEATH – I bet, contemporary ‘gothic / dark wave’ fans will hardly recall these (once legendary) acts. There’re no female voices here, no orchestrations or sublime arrangements, no choirs – only pure gothic rock with lots of programming, although still enough heavy, featuring rather pleasant male vocals (in the vein of Andrew Eldritch… of course). Speaking about the music itself, I should say that it affected on me in a quite positive way, however it’s really sad that after such splendid pieces as “45 Gods”, “Fine Homeland” (I love this one!) and ballad-alike “Day One”, this CD brings incredibly less intriguing tracks, becoming more and more boring and, in the end, almost provoking the earache. Fortunately, three live tunes included here as the last ones, do only good for the band – otherwise, “Lovenest + Murderfest” could be rated in a purely negative way by me. (Herr Stalhammar)

NIGHTWISH
“Oceanborn”
Spinefarm Records
rating: A MASTERPIECE
Well, what can I say if “Oceanborn” is even better than their already outstanding “Angels Fall First” CD??? This output only proves that NIGHTWISH definitely WAS the best newcomer back in 1998, and undoubtedly IS best Finnish gothic / heavy metal band now, in 1999. Why exactly ‘gothic / heavy metal’? Well, everything’s rather simple. Just listen carefully to guitar passages as well as the way how this CD is arranged and you’ll see yourself. In fact, I don’t know what to say further… Tuomas’ synth-passages became even more brilliant, guitars are tremendous (and heavy as hell!), Tarja’s voice stroke my imagination at once a year ago, and due to the fact that since then she developed her singing style a lot, now her vocals are AMAZING – no more, no less. Oh… I’m tired to write certain crap instead of listening to such stunning tunes as “Gethsemane”, “Passion And The Opera”, “The Riddler” or “The Pharaoh Sails To Orion” once again… If you fools still didn’t understand anything – this is truly a masterpiece!!! (Herr Stalhammar)

SERENADE
“The Chaos They Create”
Deviation Records
rating: 5 of 6
This is already the third output from Scotland’s SERENADE. The first one was a split CD with Sweden’s HARMONY, followed by “The 28th Parallel” full-length CD. And now we have their newest effort… In the very beginning they played something in the vein of early MY DYING BRIDE, i.e. slow, gloomy, quite typical and boring doom / death metal, although later SERENADE changed their style into vanguard doom metal – however I never liked this band. But this one is something really pleasant to listen to. It’s still the same pseudo-avantgarde doom metal with John, both growling and singing in a clean voice, mournful harmonies and sorrowful atmosphere, however this time packed with better arrangements and splendid leads, also John’s voice became much more comprehensible. SERENADE tries to make the music of their own and that’s good. (Herr Stalhammar)

TRAIL OF TEARS
“Disclosure In Red”
DSFA Records
rating: A MASTERPIECE
Are there any fans of romantic, though gloomy doom / death metal (circa early THEATRE OF TRAGEDY) left? If yes, you should check out this Norwegian band immediately. Of course, MACBETH and WITHIN TEMPTATION both are worthy bands, but they can’t even compared to TRAIL OF TEARS, at least when talking about female vocals. Kari Rueslatten can’t sing a shit if comparing to Helena’s voice! Her singing is passionate, bewitching and tremendous, staggering and soul-devouring… finally, just amazing! Also, let’s don’t forget that just like Francesca Nicoli (ATARAXIA, MONUMENTUM) she is able to sing in very different voices, from fascinating, heart-rending soprano to rather low-pitched vocals. However, her capabilities is not the only good side of TRAIL OF TEARS. This CD has simply unforgettable melodies, stunning harmonies and arrangements, together with really brutal male growling and the music being extremely diverse itself, without turning into something avantgarde… It may be fast and hellish, but just a minute after – emotional and melancholic… The songs like “When Silence Cries…”, “The Daughters Of Innocence” and “The Day We Drowned” simply can’t leave my mind… Ah! Why did I mark out these ones?! All of the tunes represented on “Disclosure In Red” are killer ones! I guess, soon I’ll have to buy a new CD instead of this one because I won’t be avalaible to play “Disclosure…” anymore after listening to it twenty times a day… This album is an ideal of pure perfection. (Herr Stalhammar)

VLADIMIR
“Mother”
Dawn Of Sadness Productions
rating: 4 of 6
Soothing, calm and very pleasant doom / dark wave act from Italy, carrying rather weird name (“Vladimir” is a Russian male name)… There’re both, male and female vocals here, seeming to be quite pleasant, while the accompaniment also lacks any drawbacks… In short – it’s very gentle and affectionate music… Highly recommended. (Herr Stalhammar)