• The Vision Bleak - Timeline - An Introduction to The Vision Bleak (2916)

    ''Timeline - An Introduction to The Vision Bleak'' is a great compilation for new fans and collectors that offers fourteen songs and eighty minutes of intense gothic metal or as the German duo would legitimately call it: horror metal. No band came ever closer to recreate the chilling atmosphere of classic horror tales, novels and films than The Vision Bleak which includes thousands of ambient, black, death and gothic metal bands out there. This stunning compilation covers all six studio records of this criminally underrated band, including their latest effort which was released simultaneously with this output.

    This release features three songs from the excellent new record ''The Unknown'' where the band both covers new ground and preserves its unique own style and three tunes from one of the best records ever made which is the band's second opus magnum ''Carpathia - A Dramatic Poem''. All other four records are represented with two tunes in anti-chronological order. A lot of people tend to discuss the choice of songs for such a release and it might indeed have been interesting to include an exclusive tune, a forgotten track from the band's first demo or some live cuts but it's important to understand that this wasn't the purpose of this record. It's undoubtedly safe to say that this compilation is a balanced and detailed introduction without any lengths to all those poor souls who haven't witnessed the greatness of this band so far. This release includes thundering up-tempo tracks with diverse extreme metal influences such as ''From Wolf to Peacock'', slow and sinister gothic metal tunes like ''I Dined with the Swans'', gloomy gothic metal anthems with addicting choruses like ''By Our Brotherhood with Seth'', epic and nearly progressive symphonic metal compositions like ''The Charm is Done'' and more experimental tracks with narrative passages like ''Elizabeth Dane''. Despite being a compilation, this album has a strong atmospheric guiding line that characterizes the sound of this band. The flow is extraordinarily good for such a greatest hits record.

    If you are not familiar with the band yet, if you are a faithful fan or if you simply need a compilation with some of the band's greatest songs for your car or workplace, the purchase of this release is absolutely mandatory. If you are unfamiliar with the band, let me also warmly recommend you to purchase the outstanding conceptual output ''Carpathia - A Dramatic Poem'' which must be listened to from start to finish to grasp its sheer beauty which makes this masterpiece my favorite album ever.

    Final Rating: 98%

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  • The Vision Bleak - The Unknown (2016)

    ''The Unknown'' is the sixth full length studio record of German gothic metal duo The Vision Bleak. Even though the characteristic gloomy atmosphere and horror lyrics are still there, the band manages to go beyond its unique trademarks. The dominant organ sounds and playful folk elements from the convincing predecessor ''Witching Hour'' are gone and the band didn't go back to its conceptual releases or catchier genre anthems of the past either. ''The Unknown'' isn't limited to a concrete concept or guiding line and offers seven songs that are a little bit more complex, diversified and harder to digest. The only exceptions are a concise, gloomy storytelling overture entitled ''Spirits of the Dead'' that offers entertaining business as usual and a relaxing instrumental with decent orchestral passages, moving acoustic guitar melodies and a slight neofolk touch called ''Who May Oppose Me?'' where the band breaks new ground.

    This record needs more than just a handful of spins but patient gothic metal fans will get rewarded with seven intellectual, profound and soulful growers. The easiest track to digest is probably the shortest among the remaining seven songs called ''The Kindred of the Sunset'' because it recalls previous efforts of the band and could have found its righteous place on a release like ''Set Sail to Mystery''. This is probably the reason why the band wisely chose this tune for its limited EP released three months prior to the new album. The track summarizes all of the band's strengths. The charismatic, low and powerful vocals of Konstanz are elegant, haunting and perfectly executed while Schwadorf adds his charismatic black metal shrieks in the right spots to evoke a truly sinister atmosphere. The mid-tempo riffs are addicting, the dark guitar and keyboard melodies are hypnotizing, the drum beat is steady and the bass guitar adds some gripping drive in the right moments. The chorus is also quite addicting and comes closest to past hits like ''Wolfmoon'', ''Carpathia'' and ''The Outsider''. This track will definitely secure its place on the set lists for upcoming concerts and festivals.

    The Vision Bleak explores both extremes of its genre in the apocalyptic, fast and straight ''From Wolf to Peacock'' that recalls the origins of blackened gothic metal with a symphonic touch and the almost entirely acoustic, slow and playful ''Ancient Heart''. While the former song sounds angry, extroverted and pitiless, the latter feels melancholic, introspective and plodding. The band also explores the doom metal side of the gothic genre more than ever. The title track ''Into the Unknown'' might be the best of its kind as it's a quite good indicator for the entire record with its restrained pace, lazy instrumentation and gloomy atmosphere that is playfully interrupted by occasional airy acoustic guitar sounds and symphonic elements while the surprising chorus uses unusually high and clean vocals. The band put more ideas into this song than other genre artists in their entire albums and that's why it takes a while to fully embrace most of this album.

    In my opinion, The Vision Bleak convinces most on this record when the duo slows down the pace and develops a gloomy, lazy and lethargic atmosphere with the help of repetitive riffs, a steady rhythm section and a clever use of liberating yet limited acoustic guitar and orchestral sounds. These passages recall smooth neofolk elements in the key of Empyrium but also gloomier gothic metal bands like The Foreshadowing in a positive way. The band manages to sound like itself yet to add a slow, lethargic and hypnotizing soundscape that hasn't been that present before. Even though ''The Unknown'' might not be among the band's greatest efforts, it's a step forward in the right direction like the last album as the duo doesn't repeat itself but advances in an original, slow and sure manner. Old fans will enjoy the band's creativity, credible gothic metal fans should own anything the band releases anyway but potential new fans should rather start with the new compilation ''Timeline - An Introduction to The Vision Bleak'' or buy the group's first two outputs ''The Deathship Has a New Captain'' and ''Carpathia - A Dramatic Poem'' that are much easier to get into.

    Final Rating: 82%

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  • The Vision Bleak - The Unknown (2016)

    ''The Unknown'' is the sixth full length studio record of German gothic metal duo The Vision Bleak. Even though the characteristic gloomy atmosphere and horror lyrics are still there, the band manages to go beyond its unique trademarks. The dominant organ sounds and playful folk elements from the convincing predecessor ''Witching Hour'' are gone and the band didn't go back to its conceptual releases or catchier genre anthems of the past either. ''The Unknown'' isn't limited to a concrete concept or guiding line and offers seven songs that are a little bit more complex, diversified and harder to digest. The only exceptions are a concise, gloomy storytelling overture entitled ''Spirits of the Dead'' that offers entertaining business as usual and a relaxing instrumental with decent orchestral passages, moving acoustic guitar melodies and a slight neofolk touch called ''Who May Oppose Me?'' where the band breaks new ground.

    This record needs more than just a handful of spins but patient gothic metal fans will get rewarded with seven intellectual, profound and soulful growers. The easiest track to digest is probably the shortest among the remaining seven songs called ''The Kindred of the Sunset'' because it recalls previous efforts of the band and could have found its righteous place on a release like ''Set Sail to Mystery''. This is probably the reason why the band wisely chose this tune for its limited EP released three months prior to the new album. The track summarizes all of the band's strengths. The charismatic, low and powerful vocals of Konstanz are elegant, haunting and perfectly executed while Schwadorf adds his charismatic black metal shrieks in the right spots to evoke a truly sinister atmosphere. The mid-tempo riffs are addicting, the dark guitar and keyboard melodies are hypnotizing, the drum beat is steady and the bass guitar adds some gripping drive in the right moments. The chorus is also quite addicting and comes closest to past hits like ''Wolfmoon'', ''Carpathia'' and ''The Outsider''. This track will definitely secure its place on the set lists for upcoming concerts and festivals.

    The Vision Bleak explores both extremes of its genre in the apocalyptic, fast and straight ''From Wolf to Peacock'' that recalls the origins of blackened gothic metal with a symphonic touch and the almost entirely acoustic, slow and playful ''Ancient Heart''. While the former song sounds angry, extroverted and pitiless, the latter feels melancholic, introspective and plodding. The band also explores the doom metal side of the gothic genre more than ever. The title track ''Into the Unknown'' might be the best of its kind as it's a quite good indicator for the entire record with its restrained pace, lazy instrumentation and gloomy atmosphere that is playfully interrupted by occasional airy acoustic guitar sounds and symphonic elements while the surprising chorus uses unusually high and clean vocals. The band put more ideas into this song than other genre artists in their entire albums and that's why it takes a while to fully embrace most of this album.

    In my opinion, The Vision Bleak convinces most on this record when the duo slows down the pace and develops a gloomy, lazy and lethargic atmosphere with the help of repetitive riffs, a steady rhythm section and a clever use of liberating yet limited acoustic guitar and orchestral sounds. These passages recall smooth neofolk elements in the key of Empyrium but also gloomier gothic metal bands like The Foreshadowing in a positive way. The band manages to sound like itself yet to add a slow, lethargic and hypnotizing soundscape that hasn't been that present before. Even though ''The Unknown'' might not be among the band's greatest efforts, it's a step forward in the right direction like the last album as the duo doesn't repeat itself but advances in an original, slow and sure manner. Old fans will enjoy the band's creativity, credible gothic metal fans should own anything the band releases anyway but potential new fans should rather start with the new compilation ''Timeline - An Introduction to The Vision Bleak'' or buy the group's first two outputs ''The Deathship Has a New Captain'' and ''Carpathia - A Dramatic Poem'' that are much easier to get into.

    Final Rating: 82%

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  • Blink-182 - California (2016)

    In the late nineties and the first years of the new millennium, North American pop punk bands like Blink-182, Good Charlotte, Green Day, Simple Plan, Sum 41 and the likes were extremely popular. Most of these bands started with light-hearted fun athems about partying at the weekend, living your first serious romantic relationships, hanging out with friends, finding your own identity and being on vacation. Since a lot of teenagers experienced and could identify with these topics, quite a lot of them listened to this type of music when I was in high school. These bands were always a good compromise among my different cliques. Some of my friends and myself rather listened to heavy metal while others prefered commercial rock, rap or pop Music. Bands like Blink-182 were vivid enough for the metal fans and still catchy enough for the mainstream fans and their albums were regularly spun during parties. I remember how I got together with my then-girlfriend at a private carnival celebration at my place while my friends and I were listening to a Green Day record more than ten years ago. But just as my friends and I got older, These pop punk bands became much more experimental, mature and serious. Blink-182's self-titled record was a highly diversified alternative rock album, Green Day created intellectual punk rock musicals, Good Charlotte opted for a more emotional approach with gothic stylistics and so on. Over the past few years, all these bands had more or less disappeared, gone on hiatus or released lukewarm records. These days, most of these bays have reunited and try to go back to the days of former glory with their new records after failed solo records where some band members tried to release cringeworthy electronic pop music or rap tapes that underline a worrying midlife crisis. Blink-182's "California" is a perfect example why all these bands fail at their attempts to turn back the clock.

    Instead of heading back to its more diverisfied, mature and profound material, Blink-182 goes back to its carefree spirit of the late nineties and sings about partying at the weekend, having fun with their girlfriends and discovering different places in California again. This was credible back when the band members were in their twenties and their fans teenagers but it doesn't fit at all to adults in their mid-forties and their fans in their twenties or thirties. Some of the band members of Blink-182 are divorced, so singing about hanging out with their girlfriends as if they were on a first date sounds laughable. Adults that haven't been in high school for nearly three decades sing about having fun at the weekend like teenagers who are going to party with their friends just doesn't fit. It's a serious case for a psychologist when adults in the second half of their lives still don't know who they really are and are looking for something to live for. The lyrics aren't honest, juvenile or nostalgic, they sound fake, retarded and even worrying. The childishly joyous "Yeah!", "Woo-hoo" and "Na-na-na" sing along parts in nearly every of the seventeen new songs even add to this. The band is repeating itself as if it was 1999 all over again and seems to be stuck in the past. Three tunes about differnet places in California are also exaggerated. Red Hot Chili Peppers keep also singing about California all the time and so do numerous West Coast rappers and maybe it's me but I don't get why people are so obsessed with their origins and this particular place. It all sounds chilidish to me and Blink-182 didn't do that before. I'm aware of the fact that compared to actual punk music, pop punk bands don't always need to write about profound social criticism but the lyrical are even extremely flat for a band of that type.

    Unfortunately, the music isn't any better. This album is filled with cheap sing-along passages, saccharine melodies without any oomph as well as repetitive and simplistic song structures where the band delivers cheap copies of its own successes of the past. The accurately titled "Bored to Death" starts with drum sound samples before actual instruments kick in and offer a strangely familiar riff leading to a chorus that desperatley tries to be epic, emotional and catchy but the entire tune sounds like a tame rehash of "Adam's Song" meets "Feeling This". The overtly enthusiastic "Rabbit Hole" feels like a cheap attempt at writing another ''What's My Age Again". The melodic up-tempo rocker "The Only Thing That Matters" recalls a less fleshed out variation of "Going Away to College". The short slapstick interlude "Built This Pool" with its ridicolous homoerotic lyrics sounds like a limited version of "Happy Holidays, You Bastard" but the same joke simply doesn't work twice. The cheesy ballad "Home Is Such a Lonely Place" reminds of "Stay Together for the Kids" minus the intensity and meaning of the original track. None of the new tracks adds anything new to the sound of the band but that would still be acceptable if the tracks were at least as good as the band's classic material but they definitely aren't. Those who hoped that the line-up change from Tom DeLonge to Matt Skiba would bring some new inspiration to the band are wrong since the new member sounds like an unspectacular copy of his predecessor.

    In the end, this album isn't bad but it's something I consider even worse, especially for a punk band. It's plain boring. This record is both tired and tiring. There isn't one single good songwriting idea on the entire release. I can only imagine extremely nostalgic fans that are sharing the band's midlife crises and want to be sixteen years old again buying this uninspired coaster. If you have the band's "Greatest Hits" compilation and maybe its most inspired studio effort "Blink-182", you own everything you need and shouldn't waste any further attention, money or time on this band or any other outdated and irrelevant pop punk band.

    Final rating: 2/10

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  • In Extremo - Sternhagelvoll (2016)

    ''Sternhagelvoll'' is the first single taken from In Extremo's upcoming eleventh studio album ''Quid pro Quo''. The medieval rock band is known to write liberating songs about little vices such as partying and this tune is no exception. This type of music comes as a welcome change of style if compared to the mass sensitization about the bad influences of alcool, drugs, fighting, gambling and sex. The music video offers a three hundred sixty degree scenery of a wild party in a bar including brawls, lots of drinking and smoking and women dancing on tables. No matter how much organizations will try to demonize these activities, these are important parts of what life is all about and it's essential to enjoy some of these things with moderation from time to time.

    The new song itself is a great anthem with amazing bagpipe melodies, chilling cister sounds and some nice medieval percussion elements. The simple yet liberating guitar riffs add some energy. The vocals are epic, joyful and have a raw charm while the lyrics tell us epic episodes of some chaotic drinking bouts. The chorus is simply addicting and immediately stuck on your mind until the end of times. It doesn't matter whether you speak German or not because you will sing along to this and if you feel too shy to do so, help yourself and go to the next pub with a couple of friends and start drinking. For those who aren't familiar with In Extremo, this instant live classic sounds like a mixture of Alestorm, Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly that invites you to dance, drink and sing throughout the entire tune. This song is closer to punk music than metal but if you're drunk enough liberating punk music is easier to digest than complex metal tracks anyway. Even though In Extremo wrote similar songs in the past like ''Viva la Vida'', this track here is the best of its kind in my book.

    What are you still waiting for? Download this song, go to your next Irish pub with your mates and ask the cutest waitress to play this song for you. If she refuses, don't go to this pub ever again. Cheers!"

    Final verdict: 80%

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