Natural Order

Second album from this Swiss band and a big difference compare to their first release. Sephiroths (first album) was too much influenced by Samael and this Natural Order is less "samaelish". However, I can hear other influences which wasn't on first record : Sentenced, Lake Of Tears or gothic sounds. Rain is a good mixture of Samael & Sentenced, even though their music is more organic and even colder (I guess that's the voice effects and the way guitars & keyboards are used). Overall its a very good dark metal album (ice metal ?), with a PERFECT production ... once again !!! The Aftermath (first song) is wonderful and guitar riff will immediately remind you Sentenced. The overall atmosphere is full of "Samael sounds", but Rain has really changed the tempo. Carpe Diem & Gaia My Home (second and third songs) highlights Rain's new style : mid-tempo song covered by guitars and samplers. Heavy and dark ! A nice record, but as it is sometimes the case with second record, Rain has lost its razor and seems to take less risks. On the other hand, Rain seems to be much more mature. I am really impatient to hear the next one. Last but not least : Great Cover Art from Jean-Pascal Fournier. Again & Again !!!