A LULLABY FOR THE DEVIL

After 2 disappointing albums, Deadsoul Tribe took a year inbetween releases and came back inspired and enthusiastic on their fifth (and probably last) release A Lullaby For The Devil. Instead of playing all instruments but the drums himself, Devon Graves took the entire Deadsoul Tribe live band into the studio. Fleshed out with a real bass and guitar player, the result is a more solid and versatile album, not as unfailing as a Murder Of Crows but surely a lot better then the other DST albums.

Psychosphere is an up-tempo rocker featuring the trademark tribal percussion and plain Sabbath riffing. The arrangement is slightly industrial at times, with whispered vocals providing a slightly menacing angle. The riffs and melodies offer nothing outstanding but the overall effect is ok. Goodbye City Life is a more interesting piece, very different from their usual fare. It's a bit of a hodgepodge of industrial doom metal, mixed with the balladry and folksiness from Jethro Tull and an occasional neurotic Faith No More outburst. As other reviewers have pointed out already, Moustafa has learned to control his frenzied drum attack. Instead of plastering every hole with fills and ruffles, he lets the music breathe more. A big improvement.

Here Come the Pigs is a mediocre song that brings the preceding albums to mind. Lost In You is a lot better, nothing challenging or groundbreaking, but adequately executed Benefit-era Jethro Tull with fine melodies and a passionate delivery. A Stairway To Nowhere is a slow-paced and slightly dreamy atmospheric rock song, not really original but an adept try at Porcupine Tree harmonies and more progressive riffing and chord plucking in the style of Jim Matheos of Fates Warning and OSI fame. Great song. The instrumental Gosamer Strand makes room for Devon's flute playing and some nice bluesy guitar leads.

Deadsoul Tribe is often compared to Tool, the opening bass riff of Any Sign At All supports that claim, but DST's sound is more dynamic and has the better vocals, with much more melodic sense, more power and more feeling. The classic rock ballad Fear sounds a bit out of place but is sure acceptable. Further Down is an up-tempo 3 minute metal track that brings Psychotic Waltz's last album Faded to mind. The closing title track ends this solid album with a strong epic ballad.

Dead Soul Tribe can be reassured. The devil will definitely not fall asleep before this album completes its course through smart modern metal and mid-paced musings. A big improvement over the 2 mediocre albums that preceded.