Unexpectedly good gothic rock album. I'm really surprised by the quality of Liv's new music. In some way it's a come back to ToT sound.

Written by annodomini on 24.10.2014 at 11:21

Unexpectedly good gothic rock album. I'm really surprised by the quality of Liv's new music. In some way it's a come back to ToT sound.

Not quite goth rock. It kinda combines a bit of every project Liv Kristine has been involved. You can find bits from early to mid ToT legacy, some bits of Leaves' Eyes, some other bits from her old recordings in her solo projects. This is like a retrospective album that presents the different facettes of her career. And this is what makes Vervain stand above all of her solo works, in my opinion.

For example, My Wilderness is more akin to what she does in Leaves' Eyes. Love Decay is reminiscent of her debut solo record with a doomy feeling reminiscent of ToT (Huber adds some sobriety as well with his low vocal delivery). Title track is more akin to her style in the previous solo output but also similar with her last two albums in ToT. The duet with Doro Pesch is also great, the track is pretty doomy and reminds of ToT all the way. It is a very varied album, every track has some good moments, some are better, others less better, but overall this is a solid release.

Love the album, my fave by Liv Kristine since her debut (looking only at her solo work). Nice dynamic flow, well portrayed atmospheres and one hell of a vocal delivery. Love Decay with a glimpse of Aégis (especially the ending), Stronghold Of Angels and Oblivious with even a touch of even pre-Aégis TOT era (the very beginnings of both songs), with Two And A Heart being my absolutely favourite, delivering really great, melancholic and gloomy ambient. A lot of diversity, with some song being catchy, other more striking, some calmer and the intensity within each and every song is so well executed, slowly building the storyline and then delivering the grandiose ending either by emphasizing the vocal work, with more noticeable keyboard melodies or guitars.

I certainly did not expect this! Very mature and varied album, better than her previous solo work and the latest Leaves' Eyes efforts. Pure gothic nostalgy here.

Nope

This album reminds me of the sound and style of Theatre Of Tragedy. Amazing album!