Tristania returns to business with a new album called Ashes.
After a long 3 years hiatus, it seems indeed the band is rising from the ashes,
but left Napalm Records to join forces with SPV. I wish some of their fellow
compatriots had the same idea… Who said again The Sins Of Thy
Beloved were slowy awakening ?
This fourth album sees the new singer Kjetil Ingebrethsen for the first time
laying down his harsh vocals on record. Ronny Thorsen from Trail of
Tears had indeed the grunts on World of Glass since
Morten Veland had left the band prior to the recording giving the band no time
to find a new vocalist. First of all, Kjetil Ingebrethsen is the perfect choice
for the band as he really delivers on this new album. Secondly, I heard he is
quite an awesome live performer. I cannot confirm this because I haven't seen
the band since Morten's departure. Østen Bergøy, now a permanent member,
handles the clean vocals again while Vibeke Stene enlightens this album with
her graceful voice. Anders Høyvik Hidle and Einar Moen contribute to
the vocals too.
Musically speaking, after the somewhat disappointing third album, World
of Glass which offered a blend of several elements of gothic metal and
rock, black and death metal, industrial and classical among others, the band
returns with quite bold music. Gone are the gothic elements such as violin,
symphonic choirs and other pompous stuff. You'll still find some of those elements
throughout the album though, but they are not really as predominant as they were
on the previous album.
After three or four spins I really thought I was going to shoot this album down
in flames and compare it with Sirenia's latest work etc, but
since I even forgot to review it, I had to give it more listens afterwards and
it really grew in me. It's not a masterpiece, neither is it their best. I still
strongly believe Beyond the Veil and especially Widow's Weed are
their best, but this new one tops their previous album easily and offers the
band a good margin of progression in their new musical direction. Their music definitely sounds more fresh
and light and spacious while it sounded somewhat clinical on their previous
album. It remains a bit repetitive though, but also very much progressive and
atmospheric and emotional. Captivating sometimes, refreshing certainly. Gothic
without the clichés. If you liked Deadlocked, this one sure is for you.
The limited digipack edition comes with a bonus track, The Gate, that
isn't really worth digging, but after all limited editions are made to be sought and bought. On the other hands the band didn't record any cover
songs this time. Damn it. I like cover songs!