Hoping this one is more like Atoma rather than Moment. Either way I'm looking forward to listening to it on release day!

I'm hoping it will be more like Fiction, but seeing as that is highly unlikely, I'll settle for Construct.

The title sounds like a final album. I hope not, but better to call it over with another good album. It is after all one of very rare groups that don't have a single stinker in their discography.

Written by Malkuth on 01.05.2024 at 08:46

It is after all one of very rare groups that don't have a single stinker in their discography.

True, if they think of hanging up the boots - better call it after this new release.

Goes in my checklist.

Damage Done 1.5 or 2.0 please!

Written by Malkuth on 01.05.2024 at 08:46

The title sounds like a final album. I hope not, but better to call it over with another good album. It is after all one of very rare groups that don't have a single stinker in their discography.

Stop with the goddamn suppositions. It is just a title.

Written by Cynic Metalhead on 01.05.2024 at 12:44

Written by Malkuth on 01.05.2024 at 08:46

It is after all one of very rare groups that don't have a single stinker in their discography.

True, if they think of hanging up the boots - better call it after this new release.

Goes in my checklist.

So if a young band like Bad Omens, for example, releases an album called "Time to say goodbye" immediately you numbskulls think - jeesh it must be their last album. IT IS A SIMPLE FKING ALBUM TITLE.

Written by flammeimwind333 on 24.07.2024 at 20:43

Written by Cynic Metalhead on 01.05.2024 at 12:44

Written by Malkuth on 01.05.2024 at 08:46

It is after all one of very rare groups that don't have a single stinker in their discography.

True, if they think of hanging up the boots - better call it after this new release.

Goes in my checklist.

So if a young band like Bad Omens, for example, releases an album called "Time to say goodbye" immediately you numbskulls think - jeesh it must be their last album. IT IS A SIMPLE FKING ALBUM TITLE.

Nephews thinking "The Last Will and Testament" will be Opeth's last album

I really want to give this at least a 7. Because this is Dark Tranquility, the band that introduced me to extreme metal. Because the production is great as usual. And because, in the end, there’s nothing really wrong with this album..

But in all truth, this is pretty boring imho. I felt like I heard the whole album after 3 tracks, and the rest sadly confirmed I was right. It is rather dull, takes no risk, there are no memorable hooks or killer track.

It might be related to the fact that I dig more extreme sounds today, while my all time favourites (Rotting Christ, Insomnium, Dark Tranquility..) are embracing a softer and more mellow sound, but I don’t feel excited much by the old guard these days.

In the end this is more a second Moment than an exciting new Atoma. It will unfortunately likely win the MS Awards for Melodeath this year, but I think it does very little to justify that.

I still will be very eager to catch DT live any time I can though, because after all those years, they still kill it on stage.

Written by Liafev on 16.08.2024 at 13:33


But in all truth, this is pretty boring imho. I felt like I heard the whole album after 3 tracks, and the rest sadly confirmed I was right. It is rather dull, takes no risk, there are no memorable hooks or killer track.

Interestingly, it's not working outside MS as well. It's a mixedbag reaction where expectation got dull seeing how new album comes out to be lacklustre version of "Moment", lest comparing with the best DT releases. I shouldn't think DT closing down on such note, with all due respect to the legacy of Dark Tranquility.

The previous two comments are exactly everything I was thinking about while listening to it today.

It's a good album. It's just not Dark-Tranquillity-good.

Im really really sorry to say everything that goes below. For almost 20 years now, DT were, and still are, *the* most important and dear band to me.
Guitars are just mush. They're also over the place; Moment had good catchy riffs, so I was hopeful, but there's absolutely nothing to remember here. Once upon a time, riffs would make a song stand out. Something's happened, and it doesn't get better. I know nobody will be able to fill in for Martin Henriksson in this regard. God I miss this man so much you have no idea. He had such a beautiful vision. Absolutely unique. I don't want to disparage Johan, I loved his work on Moment. It's just that DT needs a new strong vision for riffs, currently there's none.
Drums sound powerful. The drummer is great. He's also all over the place, too; hence again - absolutely nothing to remember. Anders Jivarp was the drummer who made me actually listen to drum parts back in the day. There was a structure, there was discipline, there was energy - and vision, again. Joakim can create amazing parts, right now they are just not Dark-Tranquillity-amazing.
Same with synths. Trademark Martin's synths, they're gone, they're just layers buried beneath the mushy guitarwork and blastbeats. Martin man we love you dearly, please come back, shine on us with your sorcery again. There are things that only you on the entire scene are capable of. I remember.
And the same with the overall song ideas. The only song that really stood for me was One Of Us Is Gone. There's a clear idea behind it. It's different. Most other songs feel 0.8-1.2 from each other. In most other songs, there's no vision for a piece, there's a formula with parameters slightly adjusted. This wasn't the case back in the day. Each song stood out on its own.
Vocals - well, it's Mikael. Just classic Mikael, just casually being the best one out there, as usual, we kinda take it for granted, I guess.

I'll reiterate the Cynic's point: they really shouldn't close on this one. But for the next one they need inspirations. And visions. The next one could be their new best one. If anyone can do it, it's them.

However good or bad this album is, im too busy listening to Damage Done to care.

Like most old bands, DT has entered the late stage of their career. Compared with their previous works, this album is nothing special, but it sounds weaker. I wanted to give this album a score of 7, but compared with the previous album, I didn't find anything new in this. I admit that compared to some bands, the quality of their works has always been presented at a good level, which is already precious, but for me, new ideas and continuous innovation seem to be able to impress me better, and constantly repeating similar sounds will only make me tired.

I can now finally settle down saying this new album right here is one of the weakest DT album. I found nothing resonates me with older records, a good summary of elements of previous work drenched here, with no connection. It's a pure delivery for the sake of delivery basis.

I'll take it a step further than most and say this is the most unimpressive album DT have ever released. After multiple spins there's still nothing that stands-out for me, not one song makes me think wow I'll add that to my this year's playlist. There's nothing wrong with this performance-wise, and Stenne's vocals are top-notch as always, but the songwriting is nothing more than run-of-the-mill, or paint by numbers so to speak. I'll be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed

As many other people above already mentioned, this is a seriously unimpressive album for a band at DT calibre.

Production wise is great as always, Stenne is quality, some very interesting parts/riffs and solo work at the beginning of the album, butthe rest is meh. Horrible meh.

I gave it a lot of spins since yesterday: The album starts well, I liked the first 4 or 5 songs and from there is a downward spiral to absolute boredom. Seriously, even if you call it "filler" material is below average for DT.

Btw, what's with the emo ballads? Real turn off DT, not just the "ballad" stuff, the whole album.

I heard the single and it was most boring experience for me this year. So I will probably not even bother with this album.

Written by dragula1541 on 16.08.2024 at 04:14

Written by flammeimwind333 on 24.07.2024 at 20:43

Written by Cynic Metalhead on 01.05.2024 at 12:44

Written by Malkuth on 01.05.2024 at 08:46

It is after all one of very rare groups that don't have a single stinker in their discography.

True, if they think of hanging up the boots - better call it after this new release.

Goes in my checklist.

So if a young band like Bad Omens, for example, releases an album called "Time to say goodbye" immediately you numbskulls think - jeesh it must be their last album. IT IS A SIMPLE FKING ALBUM TITLE.

Nephews thinking "The Last Will and Testament" will be Opeth's last album

Sarcasm is a foreign concept to kids these days...

That aside, I love the new album, not as much mindblown after the first plays as with Atoma, Damage Done and The Gallery back in the day, but it is really good. Stanne's bands are the rarity that never put out an album that is mediocre. This is definitely a step up from Moment.

The string of '6's above left me concerned, since I was pretty lukewarm towards Moment, but after one spin, I sadly have to agree with the growing consensus. It took me until track 8, Enforced Perspective, for a song to catch my ear in any way, and even then it's not going to compete with the band's back catalogue. Maybe it'll warm a bit with a few listens as it has a generally amiable vibe, but the lack of memorable moments is rather concerning.

Edit: After several subsequent listens, I do think it's around the same level of Moment, or perhaps a touch below - there are a few songs here (chiefly 8) that I do enjoy a reasonable amount, and most of the material is perfectly listenable. The increased focus on 'ballads' isn't really excusable though, and although Moment did end in subdued fashion with In Truth Divided, it was a decent song, while False Reflection is a real damp squib

What happened to my DT?. Moment was a big disappointment for me and now this. A dozen of songs which are just skeletons of old DT. Maybe the second half is better than the first but still I am sad to see this big fall. Still giving more listens just for Mikael.

Written by metalbrat on 19.08.2024 at 18:47

Moment was a big disappointment for me and now this.

Moment was inferior to Atoma, The Gallery and Character certainly, but still far from being a disappointment.

New DT is a disappointment.

I love this album, it feels like DT is just getting better with age. It took a long time for me to appreciate Moment, but this hits home pretty much instantaneously. This is the most varied and experimental they've been in a long time, and I love it. Up there with Atoma and Character for me.

Indeed rather disappointing, I believe I am being generous for giving it a 7 (after all, there are some good moments scattered throughout). A lot less memorable than previous albums for me, not much that sounds unique... I was praising them for being so diverse and always bringing something interesting with each album, despite their already long career. I also thought it was starting with Moment, but this is now the confirmation that its happening now indeed. However, I won't say they're doomed for me just yet, but they'll have to work for it to get me back on the hype train.

Reasonably pleasurable, but forgettable. I would rather listen to "Endtime Hearts" than any song I heard on Endtime Signals (and it's not solely because I've forgotten every song title on Endtime Signals already).

I really like the album. From the comments here, I think I'm blessed with not having to carry the burden of loving Dark Tranquility's earlier albums. I got into the band after Atoma and have loved everything since then.

I saw similar comments on Evergrey's latest. People don't assess these albums as unique entities, rather a follow up of Damage Done, Fiction... or Hymns for the Broken in case of Evergrey

Traditional fans can't separate the present from the past, and end up denying themselves the chance of enjoying a fresh piece of art. I can understand that completely though. I used to be crazy about Nightwish's Oceanborn and Wishmaster and hence can't begin to like anything they've done in the last 12 years.

Written by The Melting Snow on 22.08.2024 at 08:30

I think I'm blessed with not having to carry the burden of loving Dark Tranquility's earlier albums. I got into the band after Atoma and have loved everything since then.

So, you judging the band's ability on the basis of only listening to 3 albums as opposed to having 10 albums released since 1993?!

That's very short-sighted judgement. I'd recommend you to have a marathon run of Dark Tranquillity albums to actually know about "Dark Tranquillity".

Written by Cynic Metalhead on 22.08.2024 at 09:10

Written by The Melting Snow on 22.08.2024 at 08:30

I think I'm blessed with not having to carry the burden of loving Dark Tranquility's earlier albums. I got into the band after Atoma and have loved everything since then.

So, you judging the band's ability on the basis of only listening to 3 albums as opposed to having 10 albums released since 1993?!

That's very short-sighted judgement. I'd recommend you to have a marathon run of Dark Tranquillity albums to actually know about "Dark Tranquillity".

very poor interpretation.

It's me judging the album based on the 12 songs in the album.. not the hundred songs before it.

Written by The Melting Snow on 22.08.2024 at 08:30

I really like the album. From the comments here, I think I'm blessed with not having to carry the burden of loving Dark Tranquility's earlier albums. I got into the band after Atoma and have loved everything since then.

I saw similar comments on Evergrey's latest. People don't assess these albums as unique entities, rather a follow up of Damage Done, Fiction... or Hymns for the Broken in case of Evergrey

Traditional fans can't separate the present from the past, and end up denying themselves the chance of enjoying a fresh piece of art. I can understand that completely though. I used to be crazy about Nightwish's Oceanborn and Wishmaster and hence can't begin to like anything they've done in the last 12 years.

It's a curious situation, isn't it? It's somewhat unavoidable for one's past listening experience to influence responses to new albums; someone who discovers a derivative album from a new band in a genre will find it fresher and more exciting than someone who's been listening to the genre and its progenitors for decades prior, and someone who's first AC/DC album was their newest one in 2020 might find the songs on it more memorable than someone who's listened to their previous 15+ albums beforehand.

At the same time, I don't know how much influence it can have; to some degree, whether or not you like an album will just depend on its innate likability to your ears. Nightwish is a good example you mentioned; I discovered Nightwish around the time that Imaginaerum came out, so encountered Oceanborn thru to Imaginaerum in close proximity to one another, and yet I naturally gravitated towards Oceanborn->Century Child anyway, the sounds just inherently appealed more to me. On top of that, the influence of being familiar/fond with a band's earlier work on how you engage with their subsequent output can be a double-edged sword; I find Sylosis to be a good example to me, in that I find their newer output weaker and less appealing due to my affection for their first 3 albums, but conversely, I've given a lot of listening opportunity to their post-hiatus records that I probably wouldn't have bothered with if I wasn't a pre-existing fan, and while I've never warmed to Sign Of Things To Come, I ended up liking Cycle Of Suffering, in a way that probably wouldn't have happened if they were a new discovery for me in 2020, where I might have just given the album one listen and moved on.

For this record, you might be keener on these recent releases because you're less familiar with their earlier work, but also you may have enjoyed these new albums just as much if you discovered them as an existing DT fan because of their inherent appeal to you. By the same token, long-term fans who are underwhelmed by these albums might be underwhelmed because they're listening to it in the context of Damage Done and Character, but also they might just not be that fond on their approach on these records even if they're discovered them as Dark Tranquillity novices. For myself, I might have preferred it a bit more than I do just because there would have been a certain freshness to the sound for me if it was divorced from hearing their journey up to this point, but I'm not sure I would be that much keener on the string of tracks in the album middle that do little to excite me.

Written by The Melting Snow on 22.08.2024 at 10:10

Written by Cynic Metalhead on 22.08.2024 at 09:10

Written by The Melting Snow on 22.08.2024 at 08:30

It's me judging the album based on the 12 songs in the album.. not the hundred songs before it.

Written by The Melting Snow on 22.08.2024 at 08:30

I think I'm blessed with not having to carry the burden of loving Dark Tranquility's earlier albums. I got into the band after Atoma and have loved everything since then.

This is your original message. I don't think you meant to justify the album on "12 songs not hundred songs" standpoint. For that, musclassia have eloquently analysed the album. It is certainly a disappointing release.

Honestly I enjoyed Moments a bit more than Atoma purely because of the consistency, but this is neither Atoma nor Moments. No more than soulless background music.