Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 03/20/2007
Long-running Norwegian
goth metal band
Tristania return with
Illumination, an album that largely dispenses with the overtly metallic aspects of their earlier sound. In their place,
Tristania have perhaps inadvertently created a single-handed revival of the late-'80s
goth rock sound, much beloved by mascara-wearing, black-clad students of both sexes with late-night college radio shows. Songs like
"Down" and
"Sacrilege" are hugely reminiscent of
the Sisters of Mercy at their most
pop-oriented; indeed, the former of these songs could be a hit among the '80s revival crowd even today. With vocals split between
Vibeke Stene's angelic,
Kate Bush-like trill and
Østen Bergøy's low-end
lounge lizard Dracula vibe (think of
Bryan Ferry mutated with
the Cult's
Ian Astbury), this is the smoothest
Tristania album yet, with the clichéd death grunt vocals of guitarists
Anders Hilde and
Svein Solvang held to the barest minimum and keyboardist
Einar Moen taking a stronger instrumental role. Although
Illumination is more likely to appeal to the
darkwave and
goth crowds than the standard
metal fan, those audiences should find much to enjoy here.
~Stewart Mason, All Music Guide
Cart 0 items
Listen
