Title: Baby No.666
Artist: Thora
Genre: Gothic Rock
Release Date: 6th June 2008
Label: AF Music
Album Review
The band THORA saw the light of day in April 1999 and can brag about having released already three albums in total with Baby No.66, being the latest one. Available as a free download since its release about a year ago, it now gets a re-release under the moniker of German label AF Music, including two bonus tracks; one via Itunes and one for free by registering at a special site.
There’s a lot of Gothic Metal bands out there and the question is can THORA add something new to this veteran genre? The answer is: A bit, as they also use the typical ingredients of what you would expect from a Gothic Rock band like wistful melodies, partly melancholic lyrics and many keys. The music of THORA relies on a very epic fundament with extremely wide synth layers, monumental strings and keys, combined with the voice of singer Matthias, which is an element, my ears still can’t get used to, but that’s surely a matter of taste; on the other hand, we have very earthy guitar riffs and a solid drum work. The spectrum ranges from faster rock smashers to melancholic ballads.
What is distinguishing from their genre colleagues is their open mindedness regarding more playful song structures, which are taking unforeseeable turns at times; especially showing off in such tracks as ‘Hammer & Nails’ that begins with disturbing, warped electronic sounds, and then swings between more rocking and slower passages, broken by a fidgety electronic interlude. During the track ‘Dark Horizon’ this gets noticeable in the later course with some playful, experimental sequences. Textual-wise, the album doesn’t explore new territories and provides usual fodder for the devoted audience. It’s a bout death pain and suffering, the devil appears in several songs along with his companion ‘666’ and so on. Too much harp on about clichés if you ask me, but who likes it.
Light & Shade alternating on this release; there is the solid musical fundament on one side and the rather mediocre lyrics on the other side. If they try to break out of the usual textual schemes, the next album surely will become a pretty good release. The potential is there…
Tracklist
01. Suicide Girl – 4:48
02. Searching for Gold – 5:17
03. Lonely Lullaby – 4:33
04. Baby No.666 – 4:10
05. The Useless – 3:55
06. Serpent Heart – 3:46
07. It’s Locked – 3:22
08. Rest in Peace – 4:04
09. Hammer and Nails – 5:43
10. The God Experience – 3:42
11. Dark Horizon – 3:43
12. In Her Seasons – 3:09
13. Rescue Me – 3:47
Line-up
Thomas Fräntzki - Vocals, Keys
Ireneusz Henzel - Guitar
Wilhelm Tümmers - Bass
Janusz Korzen - Drums
Website
http://www.thora-fans.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/thoramusic
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 6
Sound: 7
Extras: -
Total: 6.5
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