|
|
 |
|
|
|
| Thergothon inspired doom/death band. Often very slow and would have been considered funeral doom if it weren't for all the, sometimes quite upt... (see more) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Tales of Dark... - Perdition Calls (2009) |
Let's face it, eastern countries' Doom is underrated. That's when it's actually acknowledged, for very few are the eastern bands to find their way into western ears. Unless, like me, you're addicted to what ex-Iron Curtain countries are releasing, it's unlikely you've heard about Tales of Dark.... This Serbian band started as a seven pieces outfit displaying a rather common style of Doom/Death (I didn't say My Dying Bride, but thought it nevertheless). Released in 2006, their first album 'Fragile Monuments...' was an enjoyable, if completely non-innovative, listening. Come 2009, and some line-up changes (they're now just six members), and Tales of Dark... release its new album.
The first change we see is a change of label. They're now released on Bad Mood Man Music, a su-division of Solitude Productions more oriented to atmospheric/avant-garde Doom. And form the start of the album, this change become obvious. Tales of Dark... have brought a lot of melodies in their music, and even more arrangements. The vocals are now alternating the classic 'beauty and the beast' style with clean male vocals that manage to be perfect imitation of Fernando Ribeiro (Moonspell) or Juhani Palömaki (Yearning/Colosseum). Musically, Tales of Dark... is now more into the Gothic Doom field, with keyboards all the way and very melodic guitars. Heaviness is still present in the rhythm section, and only the female vocals manage to sometimes bring the band near the borders of pure Gothic Metal.
Luckily for us, Tales of Dark... never cross those borders, and in their more melodic moments sounds more like a mix between Even Vast and Swallow The Sun. The record oozes sadness and melancholy. The band doesn't try to be the next Draconian but try instead to develop a bit more their own personality, which is always a good thing in my book. Tracks are long, and arrangements are well done, with some great ideas popping out sometimes (like the main female singing/narrative vocals on 'The Majestic Nothingness'). This is dreamy Gothic Doom, with some Doom/Death moments, and a lot of Romanticism put into it. Sure, it's not as good as the last Draconian album. But it certainly put Tales of Dark... on the throne of Kings of eastern Doom, a place they damn well deserve now. |
|
1. Wretched Fate for All
2. Allegoria of an Eternal Sundown
3. Sounds of the Ravage
4. Unassembled
5. The Crown of Venomous Silence
6. Soft Pluvia Murmurs Piano
7. Hollow
8. The Majestic Nothingness
9. From Scarveiled Hearts
Duration: Approx. 64 minutes.
Visit the bandlist page for Tales of Dark...
| Reviewed on 22-10-2009 by Laurent Lignon |
|
|
|
|
| Pick of the Month |
Demonia
'Divine Tragedy' |
...What makes Demonia so special is their ability to make music that harmonizes into beautiful melodies without any particularly impressive guitarplay or soloing. It all cumulates into a single holistic aura...
Read the full review here.
|
|
|
