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"With "Atoma", Dark Tranquillity offers us a new very good album, between powerful melodic death metal and melancholy, confirming an extraordinary talent."
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4/5
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It takes time to savour an offering of Dark Tranquillity and each of their album requires a certain amount of patience. Three years have passed since "Construct". The band has seen the departure of its guitarist, Martin Henriksson, tired of this life after 25 years on the road. Anders Iwers took over the bassist's job in the same time. The Swedes have been showing their artistic maturity for years now, navigating in a melodic death metal with a touch of melancholy and emotion.
"Atoma", their 11th album, even if it has a strange cover in the baroque lineage of "Construct", does not follow the same guideline. "Construct", beyond Michael Stanne's screaming voice, played on more laid-back ambiences. "Atoma" keeps this dark and sad side but regains a more raging tone.
Indeed, from 'Encircled', Dark Tranquillity becomes brutal. The drums are on the front and the growl of Mikael Stanne is agressive. In the same vein 'Neutrality', 'The Pitless' and 'When The World Screams' are punchy tracks. The melancholy is there - Martin Brändstrom's piano and keyboard work is remarkable for its finesse - but it mixes to a certain violence. You can also savour the superb guitar solos that give the songs a real strength.
But the band also shows its melancholic side, its trademark since the superb "Projector". 'Atoma' with its clear and deep vocals and its sad and powerful tone would have deserved its place on this album. Similarly, 'Forward Momentum' is a little masterpiece that mixes power and melody with class, with that clear vocals that make us capsize. Finally, 'Our Proof Of Life', 'Merciless Fate' and 'Faithless By Default' confirm the Swedes' talent for this melodic death metal full of melancholy and restrained power.
With this new offering, Dark Tranquillity does more than reassure us about his artistic health. "Atoma" is a piece that has all the qualities to appear in the pantheon of the band's best achievements, not so far from a "Projector" or a "Character". - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Encircled 02. Atoma 03. Forward Momentum 04. Neutrality 05. Force Of Hand 06. Faithless By Default 07. The Pitiless 08. Our Proof Of Life 09. Clearing Skies 10. When The World Screams 11. Merciless Fate 12. Caves And Embers 13. The Absolute 14. Time Out Of Place
LINEUP:
Anders Iwers: Basse Anders Jivarp: Batterie Martin Brändström: Claviers Mikael Stanne: Chant Niklas Sundin: Guitares
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READERS
4/5 (3 view(s))
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STAFF:
4/5 (2 view(s))
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