Altum

All through the nineties, many gothic metal bands have followed Paradise Lost path, some deciding to sound a bit more depressive (Lake Of Tears or Silentium). This hasn't been the case for bands like Lacuna Coil, The Gathering or Moonspell, but all this bands have found their inspiration through the extraordinary and "never achieved again" talent of Paradise Lost. Silentium is totally new for me. I don't know if this album is their first ever effort ? But I am sure our readers will leave messages that will help us to know more about it. In fact, I bought this one in France because the label behind Silentium is Spikefarm Records and this label releases excellent metal Cds. So was it a good "blind buy" ? Yes it has been. If you like atmospheric, depressive and melancholic gothic metal, this Altum is for you. The lyrics and the melodies highlights a never ending sensuality in each song and Silentium knows very well how to alternate melancholic and depressive moments in a very good balanced way. Overall, Lacuna Coil is not that far away, even though Silentium is much darker. Songs like Blasphemer or To My Beloved are "crying songs" where the violin and the piano are leaders. Silentium has found the magic potion to combine these instruments with the traditional metal instruments (drum, bass and vocals). My only regret is that Altum is a bit too linear, but that's almost always the case with gothic albums. If you like this type of depressive music, I highly suggest you to check Altum. Otherwise, if you like funny things, why don't you check The Traceelords ;-)