Review Summary: The Kings of Gothenburg finally let their crown slip on album number nine. It’s not quite as bad as you might first think, mind.
Although probably not being the most famous band out of Gothenburg and the 90’s metal scene, Dark Tranquillity have always been the ruler of the roost, churning out solid albums ever since Mikael Stanne and Anders Friden did the duty swaps in 1995. As it happens, this turned out for the best-Dark Tranquillity and In Flames arguably released two of the best death metal albums of the nineties with “The Gallery” and “The Jester Race” respectively. More than 20 years into their career and Dark Tranquillity release “We Are the Void”, one which finally signalled the end of Dark Tranquillity’s run of great metal albums. However, it is not quite as bad as first thought. In fact, in some parts it is indeed very good.
The main problem with “We Are the Void” is that it is an album of two halves, the second being far superior to the first. Dark Tranquillity have always managed to choose their singles very well, but “Shadow in Our Blood” is probably one of the worst tracks on the album. It attempts to branch out into a more modern, keyboard led song, but falls flat due to the weak guitars, jarring out and not mixing with any other instrumentation. In fact, this frame of mind probably sums up the album up until “At The Point of Ignition”, with the only exception being “Dream Oblivion”, sounding like it could have been lifted straight out of 2007’s grand opus “Fiction”. Then, and only then, does the record become the snarling beast worthy of Dark Tranquillity’s name.
“At The Point of Ignition” just sounds...different, to the tracks before it anyway. By sticking to the classic, modern Dark Tranquillity perfected with “Character”, the album finally shows its strengths. Instead of keyboard synths, there is a far superior piano, cutting through the melee of noise, and from here the record doesn’t look back. Mikael Stanne has always been a powerful vocalist, especially in his demonic growling, but his clean vocals have never sounded as full as on this album. “Her Silent Language” has Stanne almost sounding like the Death Metal equivalent of Christopher Lee, and with track number eleven, the albums best track, “Surface the Infinite” appears, all band members sounding at the top of their game.
A lot has been written about album closer “Iridium” and while no “My Negation”, it is still an epic curtain closer. Starting with guitars lifted straight from “Nothing Else matters”, it provides a moody, atmospheric sound among the melee that ran before it. Definitely a song that should at least be considered for a Dark Tranquillity all time great.
While “We Are the Void” is far from the bands best work, and far from the best Death Metal album you will listen to this year, it should definitely be heard by people who are fans of the bands new sound. This album isn’t going to please any traditionalists among Dark Tranquillity’s ranks, but then again, an album surprisingly poor in parts never will.
Recommended Tracks:
1. Dream Oblivion
2. At the Point of Ignition
3. I Am the Void
4. Surface the Infinite
5. Iridium
