GRAVE HUMAN GENUINE

This line is growled during the highlight track of the album, and it is an apt descriptor of this work. Ranging from unbelievable heaviness to floating melody, this indeed is an unexpected beauty.

When I first encountered Dark Suns as a recommended artist on internet radio, I had fairly low expectations. Opeth-lite with Tool thrown in was a common descriptor, but then I heard a longer selection on Franz Keylard's prog podcast, and I was impressed. In fact, I slowly bought up the tracks on iTunes until I now have the whole album and continue to recommend this as one of the better metal albums of the year 2008.

The standout track is Flies in Amber which starts with flute and a syncopated, complex-time riff and employs Nico Knappe's greatest helping of growls on the album. Present too are his childlike, unique clean vocals that really are Dark Suns signature element. These are featured most prominently on Thornchild which begins with an extended a capella section which includes lyrics Take your spoon now, just taste my spine. Crunch it slowly... I find the juxtaposition of the choir-boy tonality and the dark lyrics quite effective, and when the heavy section comes in, it makes perfect sense.

There are many standout moments on this album, including what may be the absolutely most heavy recorded moment of all time, during Chameleon Defect, which simultaneously employs blast beats, gothic choir, and plenty of heavy guitar which I can only describe as standing outside during a soft-ball size hail storm.

Not everything works so powerfully, however. The electronic drums of Amphibian Halo aren't bad, but distract from the overall feel of the album. Similarly, Papillon is an overlong mood-piece that has spoken word passages. Again, not bad, but certainly a step down in an album that has its share of brilliant moments.

It pains me that my 4 star rating will actually bring the average down for this album, for I find it better than quite a few albums rated higher, including Dark Suns previous album. And although I would rate it 4+ stars, it does not come up to masterpiece levels as an album (a few tracks may, however).

I do recommend this album without reservation. Again, one of the best metal albums of 2008.

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