DARK TRANQUILLITY: Endtime Signals (DEATH METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

The pioneers of Swedish melodic death could have had a predestined name if everyone had shown as much loyalty as Mikael Stanne, the original singer. But the least we can say is that Dark Tranquillity's life hasn't been a smooth ride. Indeed, at the rate the musicians come and go, the Gothenburg band doesn't seem to be a fan of tranquillity: years of confinement have taken their toll on the band's relative stability, and since their last album “Moment”, guitarist Nikolas Sundin has bowed out, just before original band members drummer Anders Jivarp and bassist Anders Iwers also announced their departure. Six months later, ex-guitarist Fredrik Johansson died of cancer. Although he was no longer with the band, his death did not leave anyone indifferent. It wasn't long before newly-arrived guitarist Chris Amott also decided to leave, despite having taken part in just one of the band's albums.

One might have thought the Dark Tranquillity story was over, but that was without counting the perseverance of Mikael Stanne and his 25-year-old sidekick (out of the band's 35), keyboardist Martin Brandstrom, the two Swedish highlanders having put together a crack team by teaming up with Joakim Strandberg Nilsson on drums, Christian Jansson on bass and Johan Reinholdz, ex-Andromeda, on guitar.

As the Dark Tranquillity saga has not been an easy one, we might have feared that we'd be treated to some mended music, or at least an evaporation of the band's original spirit. But if Dark Tranquillity, as famous as it is, has never managed to achieve the success of In Flames in the same genre, this is hardly deserved, as the band has always managed to reinvent itself despite the circumstances.

'Shivers and voids', the opening track, sets the record straight without wasting any time. The track may be short (3:46), as are most of the others, but it's immediately clear where the band want to take us. And the result lives up to expectations. A Bleaker Sun' is one of those tracks where Dark Tranquillity know how to exploit their flashes of genius. The track kicks off with a catchy riff, then segues into a gorgeous melodic phrasing before depositing the listener on a totally liberating chorus. The progression is a delight, especially as the solo is also sublime. Neuronal fire' is a fine illustration of Dark Tranquillity's definition of melodic death. It's rhythmic, melodic, it screams, it accelerates without feeling fast, and the track gives way to the next without you even realizing it. Drowned out voices' is reminiscent of In Flames with its neo-metal airs, at least on the opening riff. Head nodding, foot tapping, the track is ideally placed to restore the album's momentum.

“Endtime Signs” is a very good album, all the more so in that it is performed by a new line-up, composed for the occasion. That said, with all due respect for the compositions and the pleasure derived from listening to them over and over again, it's not certain that the album will manage to leave an indelible mark on today's musical landscape. Even so, we can't help but be curious about the band's live set, as many of their tracks are well and truly cut out for the stage. Let's hope that the band finally finds some stability after this turbulent episode. - Official website

DARK TRANQUILLITY

ENDTIME SIGNALS

CENTURY MEDIA RECORDS

DEATH METAL