Fantastic.
T. J. Ellis | Cincinnati, OH USA | 11/06/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Ok, apparently I am the only Darkwell fan here... I mean Darkwell before this album. One of the reviewers said that they seem like a work in progress even though they appear to be established. He actually hit the nail right on the head. Althouhg they have put out a couple (very good) albums, they recently had a line up shuffleing that has left them with a very different sound. When I got this CD i was immediatly dissapointed, simply because it didn't sound like the darkwell I knew and loved. However, after listening to it and giving it a chance I have fallen in love with it. There is definatly a new singer, and Stephanie has an .. interesting voice. I love it now, but was definatly unsure at first. If you want a more classically beautiful voice, look to Darkwells first album, Suspira. The music also sounds different on this one; more metal. It almost sounds like there are new instrumentalists, however I am not sure if this is true, and I don't feel like looking it up. However, the brains behind the whole operation, Roland, the bass player and lyricist, has remained, and keeps it beautiful. I definatly reccomend this if you want something different, and you may end up loving it, as I do. There are some very catchy yet haunting melodies on this cd, and Stephanie's voice is also very beautiful, but in an off-color kind of way... There are notes that she hits that are simply orgasmic, and other times it just sounds odd, but fantastic nonetheless. Actually she reminds me of Eponine from the musical Les Miserables. Almost every recording of les mis has an Eponine with this kind of voice; some people love it, others hate it... I just had to get used to it.. Its an acquired taste.. Now i absolutley love it. I have to go to work now, so I have to cut this review short, but If it's possible to write more than one review, I will returna nd write a breakdown of the cd. In conclusion, It's definatly worth it if you have the slightest interest in new and different music, espicially if you get it used. Also, DEFINATLY have a listen to Suspira, whether you like metatron or not; it is a totally different sound, and is what made me fall in love with goth to begin with."
Pretty Interesting
Andrew Kuzel | Rochester, NY United States | 07/29/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is definitely not cookie cutter modern metal/goth/femvox music. I still haven't quite wrapped my brain around what Darkwell is trying to do. I got the impression of a band trying something new that hasn't quite jelled yet, but it looks like Darkwell has been around a few years so that doesn't seem quite right.
I'd say Darkwell is more in the metal camp musically; the only gothy thing about them seems to be the lyrics. They have a more direct sound, almost hard rock oriented, than most bands of this type. If you like to feel the low end in your chest - you'll like this - the music in general, particularly the drums, is very present and upfront. Its almost as if you're sitting in with Darkwell instead of watching them on stage.
Stephanie Luzie has an unusual voice; I wouldn't go so far as to say its a love it/hate it thing, but it may take some getting used to. She's solid as a singer, but needs to develop some versatility - there is a sameishness about her delivery. Same thing with the band: there are good musical ideas - I particularly liked the way they try to integrate keyyboards into the music by using the character of the sounds a bit to drive the arrangements - but they would be well served by stepping father away from the "formula". The music doesn't flow as well as it could; better transitions, more unifying elements, and just polishing up the writing in general would help eliminate the disconnected feel that this CD sometimes has.
On the other hand, maybe this is exactly what Darkwell was going for - maybe they're just brilliant and I'm not getting it. Anyway, I'll stick to the work in progress theory, but I will say it is fun to be mentally challenged. Darkwell isn't one of the elites, at least yet, but I give them props for trying to move away from what is getting to be typical for this type of music."
