Here's something I don't review all the time - gothic metal. The reason I chose this to review is that this isn't a typical gothic metal record at all. It has a lot of classic metal elements and presents like a true metal record, not a rock record. There are also influences from black metal that creep into the miasmic mixture in the form of both riffs and vocals. The main vocal style is a gothic rock-styled sung vocal, but growls back it up, especially in more aggressive songs. This is truly an original sounding record these guys have cobbled together. Perhaps the closest I could come to comparing it to anything would be Sentenced and Bauhaus playing Watain's instruments on stage with Savage Master? It's addictive listening and every song is loaded with hooks and memorable riffs, even the more straight gothic songs. It's not a record that every metalist would enjoy, but I suspect a great many would, and I urge you, fine readers, to give it a shot. I did and I count myself as a new fan.
