Green Carnation - Leaves Of Yesteryear

Thanks for the birthday present.

5 songs means they'll be long(er). But then these guys know how to deliver a long song.

So only 3 songs are new here, a cover and a new version of an old song. We´ll see...

I don't know...Comeback after 14 years with only 3 new songs? And stick to it cover and new version of old song to make it something more than EP? Not sure if this is enough...

It's good but they could have skipped the sabbath cover, its been done many times before (and better, by Ulver for instance)

Written by phanto on 08.05.2020 at 00:31

It's good but they could have skipped the sabbath cover, its been done many times before (and better, by Ulver for instance)

Or

Written by phanto on 08.05.2020 at 00:31

It's good but they could have skipped the sabbath cover, its been done many times before (and better, by Ulver for instance)

While it is a good cover of a great song, it does not fit the mood of the album. For Ulver's "Shadows of the Sun" it did. I will listen to it separately and consider it a bonus song.

Very good album, a great musical quality that brings us Green Carnation with this work

So happy to have them back. I got chills because it reminded me of spinning their albums back when I was in college. It's a little short for a 13 year wait, but it's not a bad comeback. Looking forward to where they go from here.

"Sentinels" has a Shadow Gallery vibe. Great album.

First listen and I enjoyed it a lot

I don't give 9 because there are only 3 new songs, but it's a great album!

Nice album - great solos, songs are distinguishable and atmospheric, listens pretty easy

Best thing about it is the cover of Solitude

Good, but nothing spectacular. Loved the first half, but the latter felt somewhat weaker. Sucks that only 3 songs out of 5 are actually new ones.

Good haunting melodies, nice acoustic work in between, typical mood setter for melancholia.

I like the title track.

I'm going to give it a few more listens but until now I find this extremely mediocre. Disappointing.

While I was losing interest in all prog metal bands, Green Carnation popped up and this is the first time I am listening to them. Believe me, after a long gap i fell in love with those 10+ minute lengthy mood swinging Gothic touched music. 1 rate less for the cover song even though I liked this version also. It's raining outside now and I am feeling the chill air through my ears.

Edit:..... Gave 9/10 as I couldn't resist.

The vocals ruin it for me. These are songs that deserve a vocalist with more power and range behind his voice. This singer sounds thin and dried out, and it sounds like he can hardly hit the higher notes of his range comfortably. He has that life-long smoker voice and it does not work with the music.

A bit on the short side -even including the cover- and a shame that the best song is a re-recording. I still like the album, but it's too... harmless. Mostly.

Written by Zap on 15.09.2021 at 14:18

A bit on the short side -even including the cover- and a shame that the best song is a re-recording. I still like the album, but it's too... harmless. Mostly.

Yeah, I really wanted to like this album more than I did because of how good the title track was, but the only other one that I really dug was the (excellent) re-recording - in hindsight, my review was sligthly generous

Written by musclassia on 15.09.2021 at 16:29

Yeah, I really wanted to like this album more than I did because of how good the title track was, but the only other one that I really dug was the (excellent) re-recording - in hindsight, my review was sligthly generous

Nah, your review is spot-on. It makes it very clear that while the length of the album is a disappointment after so many years of silence, the material that is there is really good, especially those two tracks, which I agree are the highlights.

I think, despite its flaws this might be my third favourite GC album, simply because this kind of approach suits them best. The longer tracks are the best ones, and it just makes me wish there were more of them. In the end, I still prefer a short album over no album at all. I hope this one sets the stage for a future release in the same vein that is a tad longer.

EDIT: Oh, and your review also makes it clear that while this is a serviceable comeback, other progressive metal bands like Disillusion and Tool made a better impression with their recent comeback albums.

EDIT2: which I also agree with.

At least they are back, and there is hope for more...

My personal Top 3 songs from the album:

Leaves Of Yesteryear
Sentinels
Hounds