RoD header

Translate

tristaniaashes.jpgBandname: Tristania 
Genre: Gothic
Release Date: 24 January 2005
Record Company / Label: SPV /Steamhammer






These are turbulent times in the gothmetal scène; it’s over populated and one band does things even bigger and more bombastic than the other. Tristiania is, to me, one of the bands which have been around for a while and doesn’t get caught in this madness.

Line up

Vibeke Stene – Vocals
Anders Høyvik Hidle – Guitar/Grunts
Kjetil Ingebrethsen – Grunts
Østen Bergøy – Clean vocals
Einar Moen – Keyboards
Kenneth Olsson – Drums
Rune Østerhus – Bass guitar


Website


Song review

1. Libre – 4:30
The opener of the CD starts very rough with very aggressive and dark screams. The song is built on guitar riffs and when the mystic sound of Vibeke comes in, it’s like a siren singing so clear, but the screams disturb my dream. It’s the most aggressive part of the CD. The other songs don’t have that much screams. Nice details are the keyboard parts, which are very subtle in the background.

2. Equilibrium – 5:49
This song starts with a melodic guitar intro. The drum parts are more in the front of the production and that’s makes it a bit different. Vibeke and Østen made a great duet and create a very dark feeling.


3. The Wretched – 7:00
This is a more catchy song with a good intro, where all the melody lines come in start by the drums than screams and in the end Vibeke comes in with a low and dark doom sound. The dynamic between the vocals is what we recognize from the other records, but this time no bombastic parts, no it’s still the old Tristania sound, but unharmed. It’s not back to the roots but they dare to let go the old ideas, something what’s very impressive because from their start this band is the most respectable

4. Cure 5: 59
A very soft melodic sound, with the soft voice of Vibeke. The light guitar parts make the song peaceful and totally different from the other songs. I never heard such a light song made by Tristania.

5. Circus 5:09
The intro has a bit some ‘Asian’ sound and than Østens voice: dark, melodic and doom. His voice is since the beginning very important for the band and again he proves that he has a lot of emotion in his voice. In the middle part the low bass and screams come back (in a more modest way). More to the end the aggressively grows and slow down with some great samples.

6. Shadowman 6:31
The most ‘full’ song of the record. From the start you hear more guitar riffs and keyboard arrangements (also a violin when I hear it well). This time a fragile Vibeke and Østen build up all the strength to let is explode in the end. This has a lot of contrasts what makes it my favourite also because of the guitar parts.

7. The Gate 6:45

This song start with a classical piano intro, very light and it's a good
moment of rest after the more heavy song "Shadowman." Unexpected the drum
and grunts come in with a lot of power. The voices are more dark and low.
The production is very clear and the melody lines are simple, but strong.
In the middle the beautiful pianopart comes back and together with the
grunts it gives you a special feeling.

8. Endogenisis 7:36
The last song starts with the screams again and this time a acoustic guitar and now low riffs, what makes a surprising contrast. The choir parts come back in a way that Vibeke’s voice is carried by backing vocals what makes the song deeper. This song is more bombastic and gives me the feeling from the old songs back, but in a new way. You can say what you want about this new approach from Tristania, but they still know how to make good songs!

9. Bird 5:09
It's a beautiful end for such a record. Vibeke starts with strong emotional
vocals. Only the melody of her voices and from the guitar lead you trough
the song. Of course the vocals of the guys come in for more variation. A
peachfull song brings me to the end.


Technical information

Total playing time: 53:58
Total numbers: 9


Cover picture

tristaniaashes.jpg


Conclusion

The band took some rest for more than two years after the release of ‘World of Glass’. They had all the time to think about the new sound of the band and the new record will definitely make enemies. It’s totally different from the records before, but when you give it a try you will see that the quality is better than ever. The songs are ‘naked’ sometimes: not full of choirs, violins and too much vocals. No, Tristania proves that you can create that emotion without many arrangements. They have a crystal clear production where the different vocals, of Vibeke (more to the background than before) and the three male vocals, cause a lot of diversity. It’s an album which grows more and more on you when you listen to it more often. Because of the detailed melody lines the record can still surprise you.  The Phoenix is arisen from the Ashes!


Rating

Music: 9
Sound: 9
Extra's: n/a
Total: 9

Comments powered by CComment