Artist: Northern Sadness
Title: Riddles Of Lunacy
Genre: Dark Electro / New Wave
Release Date: 28th October 2011
Label: Echozone
Album Review
Out of the ashes of DEAD POETS emerged the Belgian NORTHERN SADNESS, a band that feels very comfortable, in terms of music, with the early 80’s Darkwave, Synth Pop and New Wave scene. So you’ll listen to influences like SISTERS OF MERCY, CLAN OF XYMOX or DEPECHE MODE. And yet, interestingly enough, the opening song, ‘Eternal Solitude’, has synths that will send you straight to John Carpenter’s movies (and tunes). And in that aspect, the band seems to be very confident in using them to build a fantastic atmosphere, not only of lyricism but also of fear, the way Carpenter knows how to engulf his audience. NORTHERN SADNESS never drifts to a cheesy approach of horror, in rubbing in your face tons of ugliness as if you’re blind and ignorant like many of their contemporaries do. Instead, the mastery of the band lies in the way they treat the dark aspects of the human psyche; in the suggestiveness either of the lyrics or of the music.
As far it goes for the songs, ‘Out Of Mind’ is undoubtedly a great Darkwave song, with the minimal synths creating an upbeat tempo. Truth be told, this release is especially strong with the tracks growing after each and every listening. Some other songs here that especially shine are ‘All This Noise’, ‘Riddles Of Lunacy’ and ‘I Can’t Live In A Livingroom’ that are capable of sending Andrew Eldritch by himself to the dance-floor. NORTHERN SADNESS will bring something to your mind from SISTERS OF MERCY (SoM) minus the tension of the guitars, plus the atmosphere and that sense of “hit” that SoM’s songs have. I find hard to believe that in the case you like SoM you’ll not like the NORTHERN SADNESS, not in terms of music mimicry or a reminder of glories past but as an infusion of irresistible lustre some steps away from their idols. And all that is accomplished with their debut album...
Tracklist
01. Eternal Solitude – 3:36
02. All This Noise – 4:32
03. Out Of Mind – 3:03
04. Disorder – 4:00
05. I Remember You Pretty – 3:12
06. Hollow Eyes – 3:30
07. Alveston Meadows – 4:06
08. To The Empty Fields – 3:24
09. Riddles Of Lunacy – 3:26
10. 2nd Hand Girl – 5:07
11. No More Stories – 3:48
12. And What To Believe – 4:14
13. I Can’t Live In A Livingroom – 3:42
14. Poets And Angels – 3:31
Line-up
Philippe Lefief – Keyboards
Koen De Brabander – Vocals
Websites
http://www.northernsadness.com / https://www.facebook.com/pages/Northern-Sadness/198048320211815
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 9
Sound: 9
Total: 9 / 10
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