Dark Tranquillity
The Gallery

THE REVIEW

An overwhelming drum, constantly evolving guitar riffs, and the acid scream of the superb Mikael Stanne that imposes itself on the ears of a listener who cannot remain indifferent... This is how the supreme masterpiece of Melodic Death Metal begins, this is how "Punish My Heaven" begins... And right from the first track, we can notice the progressive, reflective, and introspective inserts like the clean part and a small, delightful folk interlude. It is precisely these "unusual" characteristics, combined with linear, granite riffs (of black and death origin) and an aggressive and "overbearing" drum (which can be appreciated right from the attack of Punish My Heaven) that allowed these Swedes to carve out a niche in my heart. Without a doubt, Dark Tranquillity manages to mix fury and melody with class, never tiring the listener.

After the explosive "Punish My Heaven", we find ourselves in front of another little gem, slow and direct at the same time, whose words, pure poetry, ladies and gentlemen, almost move me... Try reading the words of "Silence, And The Firmament Withdrew" while listening, and you will be totally immersed in a special Nordic atmosphere. On the other hand, these can only be the irresistible dark and magical atmospheres that Dark Tranquillity manages to recreate using their magnificent music full of contaminations and texts immersed in a vast dreamlike ocean.

But it's after "Silence, And The Firmament Withdrew" that the second real gem of The Gallery, "Edenspring", arrives. This third track, characterized by a sensual crescendo of aggression and astonishing virtuosity, is another example of the mastery and impeccable style of Stanne and company. A few words must be said about Stanne, as it is not easy to find in the vast metal scene a singer who can naturally marry moments of scream (hard, sharp, and without frills) and moments of precious and splendid clean vocals.

The fourth track, "The Dividing Line", passes a little unnoticed (or rather, it wouldn't be too appreciated by my pretentious ears), which I consider a bit of the "misstep" of the work. Needless to say, "The Dividing Line" did not particularly impress me as it is included in an album that, as a whole, is clearly superior to it. Perhaps, however, if I had extracted it from the "winning pot" and therefore NOT judged it as a whole, I wouldn't have denigrated it so much, nor would I have said that it borders on mediocrity and that it is verbose (even with some truly unwise almost-NU riff).

Due to their similar structure (perhaps a little linear but absolutely enjoyable), three other emblems of Melodic Death Metal are included: "The One Brooding Warning", "Midway Through Infinity", and... "The Emptiness From Which I Fed", which stands out in the general panorama of the album thanks to perfect riffs that "do not lose heart" in a good 5:43 minutes and that wrap the listener, leaving him, as tradition dictates, bewildered and intoxicated at the same time.

Deliberately, I skipped what I consider the highest points of The Gallery, true pillars, songs whose structures are anything but linear. In the eponymous "The Gallery" (the third gem, most fitting to bear the name of the album), there are volatile notes that become direct and sharp from caressing, Stanne's scream full of rage and pain, and a sweet female voice that further enriches and refreshes the sound of this little gem. Moreover, how can one remain indifferent to a masterful solo gifted to us by Niklas Sundin?

Then... "Lethe"... my absolute favorite, and also the song that involved me the most emotionally. The lovely, slow, and heartbreaking folk melody is almost "violently" disrupted by brutal riffs, fascinating and full of pathos. The lyrics and the general atmosphere expressed by this unmissable episode of the album are endowed with a great feeling and rich in so much, so much pathos.

As sweet as it is majestic, the brief breath of "Mine Is The Grandeur"... characterized by a sober and irresistible acoustic guitar, to connect us with great agility to the last masterpiece of the album.

Certainly not the most beautiful piece but... "Of Melancholy Burning" seemed the perfect piece (hmm... or maybe "Lethe" placed at the end might have made me enjoy it a little more?) to conclude an almost perfect record. It contains everything we have been able to hear in previous tracks: inexhaustible and touching scream, that sweet and rhythmic female voice that had made so many dream in the title track, wicked and melodic riffs at the same time, and delightful folk pauses. And what about the last moving, completely acoustic seconds that leave the listener definitively satisfied, fulfilled and ecstatic but saddened because this ocean of warm emotions is over...

An undeniable masterpiece, ladies and gentlemen, and it must be said when great music becomes pure emotion and gets into your veins. Dark Tranquillity succeeded with this most precious work. Indeed.