Studio album number nine from the ever reliable and long serving Swedish band. Dark Tranquillity seem to have been around for ever and to be fair they don’t have a huge amount of time to go before they hit their 20th anniversary. During all these years they have had a consistent line up and no revolving door policy. In fact this new album sees just the third replacement in 18 years with bassist Michael Nicklasson being succeeded by Daniel Antonsson who himself has served time in Soilwork and Dimension Zero. Apart from this it’s business as usual and it did surprise me that there has actually been a three year gap between ‘We Are The Void’ and predecessor ‘Fiction’ (and I would have laughed if they had actually called this one Fact).
This took a few listens to sink in but now it has and although the band are not doing anything fantastically different than they have on the last few albums, more of the same is nothing to be sneezed at, especially when the 11 tracks here are as mature in construction as these are. Martin Brändström is right at the helm as we electronically drink deep from ‘Shadow In Our Blood,’ guitars quickly enter the fray and they have that unmistakeable Gothenburg chug behind them. Mikael Stanne delivers his bits with a snarl and when that first catchy chorus hits you it’s like an old friend you have not seen for a while. With Tue Madsen behind the mix this obviously sounds nice and crisp but the most important thing is that yet again, when so many of their peers have gone and lightened their musical canvas, it is quickly obvious that this is still one being painted with very dark hues. ‘The Fatalist is one of the catchiest numbers here with keyboards tinkling their melody over the rasping vocals and latching into your head. There are plenty of opportunities for the guitarists to solo away here too and get the listener dragging the old air guitar out to play along.
There are plenty of good numbers here and the keyboards again deserve a special mention for etching out the melody on songs such as ‘At The Point Of Ignition.’ As we are well aware from ‘Projector’ Stanne has a fine clean singing voice and although that album surprised a few, there are a couple of bursts of these on display here, most notably on ‘Her Silent Language.’ Personally I could cope with a bit more of the same but there is only a fleeting croon or two on the album so those that don’t like them need not be too concerned. The title track starts like a game of pinball and proceeds to bounce you around off all the barriers and is another stand out number that goes for maximum points over its 4 minute running time.
As the album sees the light of day the band are gearing up for an extensive North American tour on the same bill as Killswitch Engage and The Devil Wears Prada. Frankly what they did to deserve placing with such bilge is beyond me but the men with the money must think it makes sense. Hopefully that won’t happen over here as it would seriously put me off going. Cannot blame the band for this and there is nothing to fault ‘We Are The Void’ which I shall certainly pick up and put next to the others. In fact that should make enough albums for a Dark Tranquillity day, now there’s a thought.
http://www.darktranquillity.com
http://www.myspace.com/dtofficial
