A BLESSING IN DISGUISE

After two releases of progressive doom-based metal, Green Carnation returns with a more condensed, less experimental effort. A Blessing In Disguise is nine songs averaging about six minutes in length. This is in contrast to the previous two works which saw a debut album that featured eight tracks averaging nearly ten minutes in length and a sophomore effort that was made up solely of one sixty minute composition. Musically, the overall foundational essence is basically the same. Dark, atmospheric and melancholy with occasional prog rock flourishes. Perhaps a bit less doom and more melody here. It's the same line up as the previous work, yet this time around Tchort allows a significant amount of ideas from fellow bandmates Kjetil Nordhus (vocalist) and Stein Roger Sordal (guitars, bass, harp).

And these ideas are well implemented into the band's sound. Album opener "Crushed To Dust", a Stein track, is a driving metal cruncher that recalls Sundown-era Cemetery more than the psychodelic-InTheWoods...ish progressive doom journeys that dominated the band's two previous releases. These songs are more accessible and straightforward than anything the band has attempted thus far. Yet they are so catchy and engaging that it hardly matters...that is, if you put aside initial expectations and accept this album for what it is. A song like "Lullaby In Winter" (Tchort/Kjetil) takes the aspects that Green Carnation have become known for and condenses those ideas into a beautifully constructed, focused wonder. The chilling, yet heartfelt and passionate vocal delivery by Kjetil makes for some astounding moments in this song, and album. The vocals on a GC album have never been so convincing and expressive. Similar winter-esque atmospheres are conjured up in the gorgeous "The Boy In The Attic" (Tchort) and the drifting-through-clouded-winter-skies majesty that is "Two Seconds In Life" (Kjetil). And then there are the melancholic grey-sky rockers in the shape of "Writings On The Wall" (Tchort) and "As Life Flow By" (Tchort/Kjetil), both highly addictive numbers with effectual choruses and razor-blade harmonies that ooze with the sweet sadness we've come to expect from the likes of Sentenced and Amorphis. "Myron & Cole" (Stein) could be lumped into this slot as well, but it is my feeling that this is quite possibly the single most convincing song this group have come up with yet, and therefore should be given it's own individual slot. A splendid merging of dark atmospherics and jagged metal riffery, complete with some truly outstanding vocal phrasings/deliveries....fantastic song.

On first listen, A Blessing In Disguise may come across as a play-it-safe approach to following up such a monumental work as Light Of Day, Day Of Darkness. However, after a few spins, it is quite clear that this is nothing short of nine fabulous songs, possibly an effect indicated by the album title...truly a blessing in disguise. What Green Carnation have done with this album is created something that was entirely unexpected by those who were familiar with their first two releases, and, therefore, leaving their future direction wide open. As brilliant a work as Light Of Day... was, it is A Blessing In Disguise that has already, in it's short existence, spent more time in my player than the first two works combined. I have formed a relationship with each one of these songs that is almost frighteningly intimate on a sonic level that will have a longer lasting effect on me than has previously been the case concerning this band's previous creations. Fantastic work.