Draconian - A Rose For The Apocalypse review
| Band: | Draconian |
| Album: | A Rose For The Apocalypse |
| Style: | Gothic doom metal |
| Release date: | June 2011 |
01. The Drowning Age
02. The Last Hour Of Ancient Sunlight
03. End Of The Rope
04. Elysian Night
05. Deadlight
06. Dead World Assembly
07. A Phantom Dissonance
08. The Quiet Storm
09. The Death Of Hours
10. Wall Of Sighs [bonus]
Whenever I hear Draconian playing, I feel a bag of mixed feelings: calm but heavy, deep and majestic. And especially something I don't feel with many bands... chills all over my spine. And that for me is priceless.
The first time I heard this album it didn't hit me exactly like I was expecting. Fortunately, what I thought of the album upon my first listen has been completely changed with the subsequent hearings. Now I put it at a high level of excellence, at the level of previous Draconian works. It brings them a more mature sound, but with the same geniality and force as ever, clearly showing that they are a top gothic/doom metal act with merit.
The album flows over 10 beautiful compositions of melodic genius. The junction of the serene and sublime vocals of Lisa Johansson and majesty of the gutturals of Anders Jacobsson are employed in a wonderful way, making Lisa (and her voice devoid of any touch of rebellious rocker but epic and perfect for the purpose of the band) much more prominent than in previous works. She's probably one of the most magnificent voices in the metal world at this moment. Then there's Anders who brings us everything we need for a more extreme metal sound. Wonderful composition aided by perfect grunts that lift us to a dark heavy atmosphere, black and absolute.
Doom elements are more present than in Turning Seasons Within; the symphonies are perfect, the voices, the guitars, dramatic compositions... The feeling you get when the album ends is a need to hear it again and again and again... Also notice the introduction of experimental touches, very evident in the song "The Quiet Storm," more present in the voice of Lisa. All the songs are guided by a tornado of power and melody and I really think that Lisa glows on this album. Her voice is passionate, calm, serene, simple and beautiful.
It is true that this album follows the line of its predecessor. More gothic, less doom, but the end result is a perfect balance between these genres and it would be cruel and not fair to compare this with previous works, because each of the Draconian albums are special. In fact I dare say that they are special and unique. You may think now I am a fanboy. If the meaning of that is loving their music by its geniality then I'll be glad to be one.
In short, I didn't find anything as good in the genre (or even in other genres) this year. I believe it is questionable and also a matter of taste - which means that what is perfect to you can suck to others or vice-versa - but I think this album is the elevation of the excellence of music, the perfect contrast of sunlight and darkness.
This is an album that cannot be assessed properly without the necessary attention. It is necessary to caress it and in the end one will be highly rewarded.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 10 |
| Songwriting: | 10 |
| Originality: | 8 |
| Production: | 10 |
Written by Vonpire | 29.09.2011
Guest review disclaimer:
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
Rating:
6.0
6.0
|
Rating: 6.0 |
Being around since 1994, Draconian is one of those bands that had to be patient so as to see their visions come true and it wasn't until 2003 when their melodic gothic doom/death metal debut came to the surface. Despite their heavy influences from pioneering acts with personal sound (Theatre Of Tragedy, Katatonia, Paradise Lost to name the more dominant ones) they managed through their inspirational/emotional status and persuading performance to reach the hearts of the aforementioned scene's audience and create quite a buzz around them. Read more ›› |
Comments
Comments: 71
Visited by: 238 users
| Behdaad DEAD Posts: 206  |
Nice review mate. It really showed your love and respect for Draconian. And I totally agree with you that this album was a new experience for Draconian. Being heavier and having new lyrical themes, was a new experience. Thanks for writing this.
---- As tyranny becomes normality; We hang at the end of the rope.
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| Vonpire Posts: 469  |
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306  |
Wow, I like Draconian and I liked this album...but bordering on perfect seems a bit excessive to me. I guess you explained the score with your review, it's just hard for me to put this album and perfection in the same sentence.
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| Opethian Posts: 1729  |
I agree, i had this since day 1 of its release and found it to be nothing out of the ordinary. "Where Lovers Mourn" is still my personal favorite from the band  "A Rose for The Apocalypse" just seems so dry in sound and in Inspiration. That's just my Opinion and Thought .A 9.5? .. sorry, a solid 6 perhaps 
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| Vonpire Posts: 469 |
There is already the "6" review. I just wanted to show another pov. As I stated before this is my rating. Besides that I read an enormous amount of reviews of arfta on the web and 70% of them rate this album with same rating or even higher than me. I didn't gave it a 10  . And to be honest I only saw 2 reviews out there that rated this with 6 or below, one being ms's review.For me this this is at Heavenwood Abyss Masterpiece level and I see that ms staff review rated it with 9.7. See? I was less generous Edit : To Opethian. You say a solid 6 but rated it with a 8  Don't get it unless you mistaken 
---- Beware the Shadows of Dusk
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| Behdaad DEAD Posts: 206 |
Written by Opethian on 29.09.2011 at 19:07 I'm somewhere in between! I rated it an 8, but if I wanted to write a review, I would rate it: 8.4
---- As tyranny becomes normality; We hang at the end of the rope.
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| advent Posts: 268  |
Mmm, this review confuse me, it makes me feel like i was listening to entirely different album.
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| Vonpire Posts: 469 |
I really dont get why. You didn't read many reviews of this album did you? I mean this cause if you did you would have the same reaction to those. That often happens, what works to many people dont work to others. Its normal. Same happen to me with Ayreon albums, for ex.
---- Beware the Shadows of Dusk
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| Opethian Posts: 1729 |
Written by advent on 30.09.2011 at 01:17 He was listening to something else indeed while typing out the review Perhaps 'Ocean Machine' ? haha 
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| Vonpire Posts: 469 |
Maybe I was listening to latest and weak album from opeth... The one you rated with a 9 So if that one is a 9 this album should be a 18...
---- Beware the Shadows of Dusk
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| Cassian Posts: 159  |
I prefer this review to the previous one because it is much fairer and more objective. It is true that this album is not as assessible as Turning Seasons Within, but after a few times of careful listening the melodies become clearer, and the 10 songs turn out to be a wonderful masterpiece.
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| Daniell _爱情_ Elite Posts: 6061  |
Quote: Of course you are. First you spend a month whining over a review that you dislike, and now you write your own, utterly praising the album. The word "perfect" appears six times in your text. That's high even for fanboy standards. Don't get me wrong, you may like this album as much as you want, and you can rate it as high as you want, but I find your total lack of objectivity a bit immature. Just one example of something you would've noticed if you were actually writing a review as opposed to your verses of worship - the female vocals are quite one-dimensional, and their continuous reappearances in the same style over and over again tend to become boring half way through the album. She is a good singer, and has a very nice voice, but she (or whoever arranged her vocal lines) lacks ideas about how to use it. You may think that I hate this album. no, I don't. It's an enjoyable listen, and it's a solid 7 for me. If only they made it shorter... But don't worry, you havent beaten this review in terms of praise 
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| Slayer666 Posts: 2466  |
Hah, Vonpire is totally related to ponderer somehow. The difference is, ponderer writes extremely negative troll reviews and Vonpire praises the shit out of the album in his.
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Elite Posts: 40071  |
Written by Cassian on 30.09.2011 at 09:39 And why is that? Because you happen to agree with this one and disagree with the other review?
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996 
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| Vonpire Posts: 469 |
It's was really getting weirder without the Warning fanboys around  Well well well, just some quotes of words from other reviews of this... "very best practitioners" , "such expert unit" , "offer a top quality" , "brimming with emotion, intensity and dark atmosphere" , "real slobberknocker of a metal album" , "beautiful, emotive voice" , "she's as enchanting as always" , "the memorable line" , "with equally high quality gothic tinged death/doom" , "heavy as hell but memorable and addicting after just one listen" , "None of the ten tracks are weak" , "her voice captivates and it really meshes well" , "Also worthy of praise is the guitar work" , "an impressive array of great doom/goth riffs" , "haunting music that remains memorable and accesible" , "They keep refining and perfecting their take on the style and with results like this, there isn't much negative one can say" And so on and on and on.... Oh no!!! There is only fanboys writing reviews of Draconian.....   But hey I think I found the formula for this album... If you Love Doom and dislike gothic - You'll dislike this album If You Love Gothic and dislike Doom - You'll think it's a good album If you Love Gothic and like Doom - You'll think it's perfect
---- Beware the Shadows of Dusk
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Elite Posts: 40071 |
What does liking Warning have to do with it? You don't see me cry an whine when someone doesn't like it, even though reviews almost everywhere were great as well. I can actually understand people not liking Patrick Walker's emotive almost crying vocals. So, please get over the fact that there are also loads of people that don't like this new Draconian album.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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| Vonpire Posts: 469 |
Nothing, I just know you are fanboy of warning. You didn't get offended did you? Yup, specially when you 3 guys get over the fact that there are loads of people who love this new Draconian album and praises it as much or even more than me. So here we are! Two reviews one for each kind of people.
---- Beware the Shadows of Dusk
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Elite Posts: 40071 |
Written by Vonpire on 30.09.2011 at 13:54 Nope, case in point being DerRozzengarten
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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| Vonpire Posts: 469 |
The formula has flaws. Or maybe DerRozzengarten is immune to it
---- Beware the Shadows of Dusk
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| Vonpire Posts: 469 |
They call me Draconian fanboy. I called them Warning fanboys. What's the difference??? Besides that i clearly stated the "I think I found the formula" I didn't said it was for anyone to adhere to that. *g*
---- Beware the Shadows of Dusk
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| Slayer666 Posts: 2466 |
Written by Vonpire on 30.09.2011 at 13:54 Nope. Along with black metal, gothic and doom are by far my favorite subgenres of metal, and I still think the album is decent at best. I've no problem with you writing a review where you call this album the best thing since toilet-parer, nor do I care if you score it 11/10. But when trying to defend your opinion, do refrain from personal attacks and quoiting "professional" reviews. Draconian is a big band, of course the "professional" reviews are going to praise the shit out of it, it's their fucking job. Written by Guest on 30.09.2011 at 14:35 This. And for god's sake, Joe, switch your username back. >_<
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Elite Posts: 40071 |
Written by Vonpire on 30.09.2011 at 14:44 We don't cry when people attack our favourite band.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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| Slayer666 Posts: 2466 |
Written by Guest on 30.09.2011 at 14:51 Oh, sorry 'bout that. It's just that your profile and !T.O.O.T.H! obsession look mighty similar to this one looser I know. 
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| Vonpire Posts: 469 |
The only word that pops to my mind right now is ridiculous... Don't know why's that.. And please, no more spam. I guess it's enough. Your point has been made.
---- Beware the Shadows of Dusk
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| Cassian Posts: 159 |
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 30.09.2011 at 11:45 Yes, and I happen to "judge" from a Draconian fan's viewpoint. So what's wrong with that? If you dislike it then say it. If you're not a fan and you think this album sucks, just give it a low rate and walk away. I think the whole fanboy things are ridiculous. Nonsense. You listen to Black metal, for example, and criticise Gothic-Doom metal fans for praising a Gothic-Doom album? So lame. Just so you know, I listen to Melodic Death AND Gothic metal. I don't defend bands I dislike just because they are labelled Gothic. I dislike Poisonblack, that is. And I despise Forever Slave.
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| Daniell _爱情_ Elite Posts: 6061 |
Having looked at this thread closely, I spotted one whiny snot-nosed prick who's completely impervious to ANY sensible argument about anything. I'm wondering now, maybe we should host a contest for users to find that person?
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Elite Posts: 40071 |
Written by Cassian on 30.09.2011 at 16:05 But you call this one objective and Rozz'one not-objective, just because you are a fan of the album. A negative review cn be just as objective and Rozz's certainly is objective, also seeing the fact he is a fan of the band.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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