Dark Tranquillity
Character

THE REVIEW

The new work by Dark Tranquillity was highly anticipated. Preceded by a collection of rarities and the EP "Lost To Apathy", it was eagerly awaited by everyone. Everyone, but not me. I have never been a great fan of "Dark Tranquility," although I have always liked them and recognized the great artistic value of albums like "The Gallery" and "Damage Done". But I didn't really know how to feel about the new album, and sometimes that dreadful idea kept creeping into my mind: "Have they run out of ideas?" I always hoped for an album from them that would truly captivate me, but inside I felt a strange sensation, a bad premonition that made me suspect it would be a disappointment. Only when a friend of mine bought it and we listened to it together in the car (after glancing at the meticulously crafted booklet summarizing the album's concept beautifully) did I realize that my so-called sixth sense was nothing more than complete nonsense.

Dark Tranquillity have finally crafted an album capable of thrilling me from start to finish, providing yet another demonstration of class and talent: eleven spectacular tracks fitting into the structures of melodic Swedish death metal, just as Stanne's band has always accustomed us. This time, however, something has changed: there's no longer the melodic refinement of the past, but pure aggressiveness, without any trace of clean vocals, and a darkness like never seen before, heightened by the constant scratching of celestial distortions (almost industrial), where the melody is dictated by a cunning use of electronics and especially by phenomenal keyboards, more present and intertwined with the rest of the instruments than ever. Songs like the opener "The New Build" or "Lost To Apathy" are not easily forgotten and prove that Dark Tranquillity not only haven't lost their touch but have returned stronger than ever. Tight and powerful riffs, emotionally stirring keyboards, psychedelic cadences, swift and sharp drum beats, a futuristic atmosphere, and so much love for melodic death, the very same melodic death that they themselves helped create and passionately spread. Welcome back.