Dark Tranquillity

These melodic death metal veterans from Sweden, who have recently celebrated their 20th anniversary of existence, have returned from the studio with yet another album. A new chapter in their work has born, a chapter worth of observation and neck ache. This is a CD with many sides and many faces. Variation in melody, speed and rhythms are definitely present here.

This new CD of Dark Tranquillity surely holds a few surprises compared to the older work. This band has evolved in a new way, with a more melodic sound. Also, most songs have a more “peaceful” feeling, if such a word may be applied to a music genre like this. Still, there is a lot of variety from fast to slow. but it is pretty clear that they paid more attention to the keyboard in this album.

The songs are very catchy, pleasant to listen to, but they absolutely do not lose their powerful touch. What had returned in the last album was that singer Mikael Stanne had brought back some clean vocals. They, again, have brought some of that back in this new album.

The guitars work well with this album, with fast riffs and often transitions to the power chords. Two songs especially draw my attention, which are the fatalist and I am the void. The fatalist has a keyboard intro with a transition to the guitars.

The intro returns throughout the song, with a very positive effect. I am the void is one of those songs that has a very high headbang level, let alone the scream along tendencies. This is an album that is worth listening to, and it definitely does not bore.

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