Trail Of Tears - Existentia |
Published Jan. 13 2007
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Deceptive Mirrors |
| Genre | Dark Gothic Metal |
R. Thorsen/K. Nordhus
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Vocals
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| Tracks | 10 |
Runar Hansen
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Guitar
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| Runningtime | 45 Min. |
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Guitar
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| Label | Napalm Records |
Kjell Rune Hagen
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Bass
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| Release | 26 Jan. 2007 |
Jonathan Perez
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Drums
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| Country | Norway |
Frank Roald Hagen
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Keyboard
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| Similar artists | Theatre Of Tragedy, Tristania, In Flames | ||
Not until the last two tracks As It Penetrates and especially Shades Of Yesterday I find songs that I with a clean conscience can promote as my favourites. That is of course all too late. Anyway those two pieces are full of symphonic moods and harmonies. Most important they have the memorable melodies.
Trail Of Tears is promoted as 'dark gothic metal', but there are many genres involved here. Melodic death for example (many parts sound like today's In Flames). But mostly it is dark and gothic. The vocals are divided between a male singer, a growler and a female singer. That brings a certain dynamic to the music, but on the other hand there is nothing original with that concept any more. Anyway, all of them play their respective roll with great dignity.
Everything sounds great to start with. It is vital, melodic,
somewhat hard and varied. But after a while you discover that something
is missing anyway. The songs are just about average, nothing less, nothing
more. In order to reach the next level there need to be some hit potential
that sticks even when you have finished the round in your CD-player.
This can be compensated, and even more, if there is a growing potential.
But after having listened a few times, Existentia still stands on the
same spot. These can be the most frustrating records to review of all,
when you have a band with potential and with a great sound - but the
compositions are holding them back.
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Performance
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Originality
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Production
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Vocals
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Songwriting
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7 |
7 |
6 |
8 |
5 |
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Summary
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6 chalices of 10 - David |
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