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A classic album
I was listening this, a classc opener what never will get old and never will lost it meaningless, its metal classic
Many bands will try criate such masterpieace but will fail to do thism, they lived metal ..... I wish there would be possible see Liv Christin pics in mid 90's somewhere I wanna see her how she was when she was younger hehe .... realy good album, hard part was I need hold lyrics to read know what they are singing about, even its not growls, both male and female vox are hard to understand, whit out lyrics it is not possible

It's a nice debut but I preffer the two following albums over this one. Specially Velvet Darkness which is their best album to me.

Written by X-Ray Rod on 13.12.2012 at 16:48

It's a nice debut but I preffer the two following albums over this one. Specially Velvet Darkness which is their best album to me.

I think this is better than Aegis, which is a little too soft for my tastes. Although this is a great (debut) album, some songs are definitely weaker than others for me. I still haven't heard "Velvet Darkness", though I suspect it'll be my favourite as well, because I like the style of the debut a lot more than that of Aegis.

Written by Erik M. on 13.12.2012 at 23:01
I think this is better than Aegis, which is a little too soft for my tastes. Although this is a great (debut) album, some songs are definitely weaker than others for me. I still haven't heard "Velvet Darkness", though I suspect it'll be my favourite as well, because I like the style of the debut a lot more than that of Aegis.

I give extra points to Aegis because it's probably their most atmospheric and subtle album of their classic period. It has plenty of psychedelic elements hidden in the background which provides quite a surreal dream-like feeling. The sound itself stands out from the rest of gothic metal, pretty unique tunes.

Velvet Darkness is their best to me since it took the phormula of the first but fixed all the weak points plus a nicer production resulting in a very strong and memorable album where the vocals are at their very best both female and male. Not to mention it has one of the best samples in metal, period.

Written by X-Ray Rod on 13.12.2012 at 23:12

I give extra points to Aegis because it's probably their most atmospheric and subtle album of their classic period. It has plenty of psychedelic elements hidden in the background which provides quite a surreal dream-like feeling. The sound itself stands out from the rest of gothic metal, pretty unique tunes.

Velvet Darkness is their best to me since it took the phormula of the first but fixed all the weak points plus a nicer production resulting in a very strong and memorable album where the vocals are at their very best both female and male. Not to mention it has one of the best samples in metal, period.

Yeah, that's true... can't put my finger on it, but I just don't think it's that awesome (Aegis). Maybe because of the male (lame) vocals, which I kind of dislike. Obviously still a great album.

I know Velvet Darkness has the same style as the debut, hence why I suspect I'll like it more than the other two albums. Aside from those three albums, I don't think anything's interesting from this band, seeing as the ratings drop dramatically after Aegis.

Written by Erik M. on 13.12.2012 at 23:48
Yeah, that's true... can't put my finger on it, but I just don't think it's that awesome (Aegis). Maybe because of the male (lame) vocals, which I kind of dislike. Obviously still a great album.

I know Velvet Darkness has the same style as the debut, hence why I suspect I'll like it more than the other two albums. Aside from those three albums, I don't think anything's interesting from this band, seeing as the ratings drop dramatically after Aegis.

Well... you are talking to someone who has a bit of an unorthodox view for ToT as I enjoy all their albums. I dig the catchy electronic albums (which still have metal on them) and even view them (specially Assembly) as a bit underrated. They were created for another public after all. Pretty strong singwriting for the particular genre and plenty of variation. Never had problems with the male vocals here or in Aegis (which I found great for that particular album since I can't imagine Aegis with growls from Raymond... it would be kind of awkward) and their last 2 albums is quite good modern gothic metal, nothing special but pretty good for me.

Written by X-Ray Rod on 14.12.2012 at 00:10

Well... you are talking to someone who has a bit of an unorthodox view for ToT as I enjoy all their albums. I dig the catchy electronic albums (which still have metal on them) and even view them (specially Assembly) as a bit underrated. They were created for another public after all. Pretty strong singwriting for the particular genre and plenty of variation. Never had problems with the male vocals here or in Aegis (which I found great for that particular album since I can't imagine Aegis with growls from Raymond... it would be kind of awkward) and their last 2 albums is quite good modern gothic metal, nothing special but pretty good for me.

I see... well, growls on Aegis would've certainly been misplaced, no doubt about that. His vocals are okay, though I just prefer his growls (because of the contrast: beauty and the beast). I might check the other albums out, but unlike the first three, I wouldn't buy them blindly (well, sort of).

There's no combination in metal I dislike more than pseudo-operatic female vocals and male growls, so I've never really bothered with ToT. Maybe I should, I do love the Gathering and 3rd And The Mortal as far as gothicish metal goes.

Written by IronAngel on 14.12.2012 at 00:19

There's no combination in metal I dislike more than pseudo-operatic female vocals and male growls, so I've never really bothered with ToT. Maybe I should, I do love the Gathering and 3rd And The Mortal as far as gothicish metal goes.

As far as "pseudo-operatic female vocals and male growls" goes... ToT were always the best for me in their first two albums, specially Velvet Darkness.
That album is probably the gothic album against which I measure all others and the reason for that is that the vocals don't need to be on the spot light... The music itself sometimes outshines the vocals which is a rare thing in gothic metal imo since bands tend to focus on that too much and while vocals is one of ToT strongest weapons... It's not THE weapon if you get what I'm saying.

Written by X-Ray Rod on 14.12.2012 at 00:24

The music itself sometimes outshines the vocals which is a rare thing in gothic metal imo since bands tend to focus on that too much and while vocals is one of ToT strongest weapons... It's not THE weapon if you get what I'm saying.

Definitely. Yeah, I'll check them out properly tomorrow, I think. Reviewed four 2012 albums today, three of them indie folk/art pop sort of stuff, so I really feel like some 90s metal right now.

Written by IronAngel on 14.12.2012 at 00:19

"pseudo-operatic female vocals"

Liv does not sing operatically or even try to.

Written by X-Ray Rod on 13.12.2012 at 23:12

Written by Erik M. on 13.12.2012 at 23:01
I think this is better than Aegis, which is a little too soft for my tastes. Although this is a great (debut) album, some songs are definitely weaker than others for me. I still haven't heard "Velvet Darkness", though I suspect it'll be my favourite as well, because I like the style of the debut a lot more than that of Aegis.

I give extra points to Aegis because it's probably their most atmospheric and subtle album of their classic period. It has plenty of psychedelic elements hidden in the background which provides quite a surreal dream-like feeling. The sound itself stands out from the rest of gothic metal, pretty unique tunes.

Velvet Darkness is their best to me since it took the phormula of the first but fixed all the weak points plus a nicer production resulting in a very strong and memorable album where the vocals are at their very best both female and male. Not to mention it has one of the best samples in metal, period.

Velvet Darkness is pure magic!
That chemistry between the gently smooth voice of Liv and the rough grunts is rarely matched these days.
And the samples are from the cult classic movie Mask of the Red Death with Vincent Price and fit the album like a love.

I always preferred this album although Aegis was a classic as well but in a more cleaned up, less underground, kinda
way. And not because of the nice melons on the cover, although they help .

Written by IronAngel on 14.12.2012 at 00:19

There's no combination in metal I dislike more than pseudo-operatic female vocals and male growls, so I've never really bothered with ToT. Maybe I should, I do love the Gathering and 3rd And The Mortal as far as gothicish metal goes.

operatic ... you have read to much modern century media sponsored reviews

What a milestone in Gothic Metal. Clearly their best album. They've never again been so dark. Features one of my all-time favourite songs of everything: ...a distance there is. Also outstanding: To these words I beheld no tongue, Dying I only feel apathy. Only the closer cant really keep up with the rest of the album.