Chalice
Chronicles of Dysphoria (CD) 2000 Modern Invasion
Shameless cloning or atmospheric brilliance? That seems to be the main question when it comes to Chalice. On the one hand you could say this band does nothing more than copy the style of old The 3rd and the Mortal ('Sorrow' & 'Tears...' era), adding a violin. However, I believe that is a rash conclusion. Chalice not only differs by the addition of a violin, but the music itself has a more bombastic feel. Generally the music is very intimate and melodic, just like The 3rd, but it keeps more to the surface and doesn't let you dwell into a fantasy world as much. The Chalice tracks are less fragile and have more "body". Highlight on this CD would be 'Solitary Waves' and the absolutely stunning 'Interlunar Dreams', a track that can send shivers down my spine the way 'Song' or 'Salva Me' of The 3rd does. No, Chalice might not reach the emotional depths and highs of The 3rd, but at times they come scarely close. This band is a definite must for, you guessed it, anybody who likes the old The 3rd and the Mortal albums.	1. Solitary Waves 2. Requiescat 3. The Amber Twilight 4. As Powder Turns To Dust 5. Solviegs Song 6. Interlunar Dreams 7. Memorial Embers Approx. 47 minutes
Reviewed by: Aldo Quispel
An Illusion to the Temporary Real (CD) 2001 Modern Invasion
'An Illusion to the Temporary Real' sees Chalice progressing along more or less expected lines. While I did not foresee the decision to lose the violin and opt for a flute, the rest of the album is a clear progression from 'Chronicles of Dysphoria'. The most significant progression is that the band lost their The 3rd and the Mortal influences and found their own sound. Discovering this new sound has caused the band to edge more and more towards Gothic-metal. I however am not comfortable stigmatising them as a gothic-metal band. If you filter out the flute and soprano vocals, the musical basis is often slow, mournful Doom-metal. The combination of a musical doom-metal base with a flute, female soprano vocals and sometimes some more up-tempo parts create something I would define as "Sing along Doom". This mixture ensures a very light and easy to listen to album. The 45 minutes are over before you even notice it. You don't find often such enjoyable easy listening doom and personally I find it a welcome break among all the extremely heavy acts out there, without having to endure a real gothic-metal CD (I detest most Gothic-metal). It's slow, yet sweet and intimate. I like it! It must be said the flute really pulls its weight here! The only downside of the music that Chalice creates, is that it lacks deep emotions. It's easy to digest, it is wonderfully intimate and fragile but alas it is not very emotional or sorrowful. The music has a tendency to be uplifting and won't send you on a one way downward trip into a major depression. You will find yourself pleasantly humming or even signing along. Not something you generally expect to happen when it comes to the most depressive musical genre on earth! Personally I don't see this as a huge problem, because I enjoy a break every so often from all the misery and despair coming out of my speakers.	1. The Jester's Banquet 2. An Illusion to the Temporary Real 3. Vista 4. Catalepsy in Staccato Rain 5. To Death Betrothed 6. Abyss 7. The Stigma of an Age Approx. 45 minutes
Reviewed by: Aldo Quispel