LAKE OF TEARS - review added 22nd April 2011
Album Review: Illwill (2011)
For fans of: Dark Metal
"Illwill" marks the first album by Swedish dark music pioneers Lake Of Tears for four years. "Moons and Mushrooms" (2007) was their last, and that followed a line of releases stretching back to 1994 when they unleashed their debut "Greater Art".
This is a band I haven't come across before, and I have to say I'm not sure I've been missing a huge amount. The sound is doomy and depressing, but I don't feel convinced by the overall performance. Style wise they are somewhere in the middle of Venom, Type O' Negative and Lordi. Yes, really.
The musicianship is ample but lacks depth, and the vocals are too rough and punk-tinged to work well with this style. Lake Of Tears are not without their merits, but it's hard putting a finger on what sort of band they are and what sort of sound they are trying to achieve. Saying that, maybe this indescribable nature is what makes so many people like them...
Song wise, it certainly isn't all bad news. a lot of it is noticeably ropey, but songs like the thrashy 'The Hating', and final three tracks 'Out Of Control', 'Taste Of Hell' and 'Midnight Madness' all appeal.
In Summation:
Performances of debatable quality rub shoulders with a few interesting songs. Not a great album, but it does have its moments.
Entertainment/Enjoyment:
Musicianship:
Vocals:
Song Writing:
Production:
Overall (Not An Average Of The Above):
Track List:
01. Floating In Darkness
02. Illwill
03. The Hating
04. U.N.S.A.N.E.
05. House Of The Setting Sun
06. Behind The Green Door
07. Parasites
08. Out Of Control
09. Taste Of Hell
10. Midnight Madness
Bonustracks auf Ltd. Digipak:
11. As Daylight Yields (live)
12. Demon you/Lily Anne (live)
13. Crazyman (live)
Band/Performers:
Daniel Brennare - Vocals, Guitar
Magnus Sahlgren - Guitar
Mikael Larsson - Bass
Johan Oudhuis - Drums
Other Info:
Label: AFM Records
Artist's website(s): Lake Of Tears | MySpace
