Tristania - Darkest White

Fans: 7.64 | 36 votes
Non-fans: 7.79 | 28 votes

Hmmm...

The key to enjoying this band is to understand that they are almost a new band with each new album, in terms of line up and song writers. I love all of Tristania's albums (haven't heard Rubicon), some more than others, because I drop all preconceptions on what I think they should sound like. I still consider their first four albums to be heaven sent though.

So for all you rigid minded nay sayers, enjoy this band (and other bands) for what they are and not what you think they should be. If you can't do that then just enjoy the classics and move on to something else.:thumbup:

First three opening tracks only talk to my soul, rest of this album purely sucks. This band seem to be completely lost after the release of "Illumination", they couldn't create that gloomy, sad atmosphere as they used to.

I was very skeptical at first, being that I absolutely hated Rubicon. But I listed to this record for the first time and I was immediately sold. To me, this record (as of right now I can say this but my opinion might change in the future) is right up there with Ashes, Widows Weeds, and Beyond the Veil. The only track on here that I found to be kinda weak was Cathedral, I guess it needs to grow on me still . Totally worth the more than the 14 bucks I spent.

Maybe I'll give this album one more chance sometime later, but for now I just can't understand how it can have a higher rating than Ashes. My first thought after listening to it was: "Is it really Tristania?"

Having seen them live made me realize how totally generic this stuff is. These fakers playing total classic songs from the first 2 albums (although the 3 albums after that were great as well) was one of the biggest disappointments in my life when it comes to gigs, if not the biggest disappointment. They totally raped those songs and especially the brilliant song "Beyond the Veil" in which the current vocalist only sung the intro and then disappeared from the stage because she simply doesn't have the vocal range/skill to perform the vocals Vibeke did on the first 5 albums. For the sake of the fans they should just do what I've always said: change the name of the band. Because as far as I'm concerned they would at best be a good cover band of the real Tristania.

Once more generic stuff. Nothing even touches their first masterpieces...

Lavender (among others) is a masterpiece. Some people here sound like the people still throwing hissy fits about Tarja not in Nightwish.

Their weakest album in my opinion, but still good album though. I would highlight 2 songs particularly:
1. "Number": This is arguably the most aggressive and "blackened" track they did in their later years. The intensity of the guitars and the interplay between the harsh and clean vocals is fantastic.
2. "Himmelfall": This song is pure atmosphere. The name itself (meaning "Skyfall" or "Heavenfall" in Norwegian) fits the epic, tragic vibe of the music. It’s catchy but deeply dark—a perfect "farewell" vibe for the band.

While I prefer the Vibeke era for its emotional consistency, I really appreciate when the band "pushes the limit" in their later work.