Draconian - A Rose For The Apocalypse review
| Band: | Draconian |
| Album: | A Rose For The Apocalypse |
| Style: | Gothic doom metal |
| Release date: | June 24, 2011 |
| Guest review by: | Vonpire |
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 page 2 / 3
Comments: 71
Visited by: 239 users
| Carl Berg Carl Berg Posts: 589  |
Dude, Draconian is a great band and this is a good album, but no way a 9.5 album.
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| Vonpire Posts: 471  |
Written by Daniell on 30.09.2011 at 16:05 Whooo hoooo. Here are the offenses! Typical. Coming from where it comes don't surprise much though. Somebody really needs to get a life. I really don't know how someone like this can be part of ms staff, but not my problem though. Written by Cassian on 30.09.2011 at 16:05 They can't. They're obsessed with me. Everyone already noticed it's always the same 4 or 5 persons. Let it. It's amusing and break the monotony.
---- Beware the Shadows of Dusk
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| Milena gloom cookie Staff Posts: 4603  |
Ahhh, another priceless thread. Insults flying all over the place...
---- 7.0 means the album is good
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| Behdaad DEAD Posts: 206  |
I'm totally sick of this shit. I hate this stupid argument about new Draconian album. All of you who involved in this stupid conversation are that type of guy who can't stand opposite ideas and opinions. That's all.
---- As tyranny becomes normality; We hang at the end of the rope.
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| JD Account deleted |
JD
Account deleted
Watching most of the users trying to act like elites, always fun. And now, me gonna sit here and enjoy reading this battle 
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| Cassian Posts: 159  |
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 30.09.2011 at 16:09 Oh, did I say "not"? I just said this review is much MORE objective. Okay, let's say it's my fault for being a little prejudiced here. I merely assume that being objective means you have already considered everything surrounding the album, such as musical mature and undeniable efforts of the band, before giving it a god-forsaken 6. Anyway it's just me, and I'm not at any rate involved in this kind a childish quarrel. I don't mean you by the way.
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| Hank Amarillo Posts: 2 |
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| (V) (;,,;) (V) Account deleted |
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| BitterCOld The Ancient One Admin Posts: 15287  |
Written by Hank Amarillo on 01.10.2011 at 00:41 funny you should bring this up. i seem to recall writing an article on this very subject for reasons like, well, this review. oh yes. here it is!. was worried it was some drunken hallucination on my part, but lo and behold it is real.
---- get the fuck off my lawn. Beer Bug Virus Spotify Playlist crafted by Nikarg and I. Feel free to tune in and add some pertinent metal tunes!
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| Vonpire Posts: 471 |
That seems completely in contradiction with some of previous posts  Now it's subjective vs objective. Wonder whats next...
---- Beware the Shadows of Dusk
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306  |
This review is gay. *feeds the fire*
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| serega25 Posts: 168  |
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| Vonpire Posts: 471 |
Written by Troy Killjoy on 01.10.2011 at 21:04 Lol  Serega, thank you. Glad you liked.
---- Beware the Shadows of Dusk
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| hadriel Posts: 257  |
Completely disagree with your opinion of the album, but the review is decent and I'm glad you enjoy the album so much. imo, when you're writing reviews in the future, leave out the end bit that you wrote about not being ashamed of being a fan-boy and the fact that opinions on the album will differ with musical tastes. We're all aware of this and it takes away from the confidence in your opinion and makes it sound like you're defending yourself from attacking comments that hadn't even occurred yet. (could be a contributing factor to some of the subsequent flames) It just sets the review up to sound like its written more subjectively. Looking forward to reading your next reviews.
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306 |
Written by hadriel on 07.10.2011 at 03:22 Legit, that's excellent advice.
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| R'Vannith ghedengi Elite Posts: 3099  |
I can't help but feel that your review of this particular album also involves including a review of the band to some degree. While its obviously focused on the album itself it seems to have an undercurrent of appreciation for the band as well. I suppose it's near impossible to completely remove such from any review (that is if you are familiar with the band of course) but this review seems to dwell just a bit too much on praise for the band itself. I do indeed think you're a 'fanboy', that is you clearly appreciate the band's music and expect very high quality releases and are rarely dissapointed. That's fine, I'd be confident in saying that any fan of a band does this at some point. What doesn't really work for me is bringing all this into a review for a specific album. Your review seems to me like half a discussion of your opinion of the album itself and half a discussion of how you personally relate to the band. Frankly I don't think anyone cares whether you like the band or not, just let us know what's so good about this particular album to justify a rating like 9.5, that's all a review should be. I have to say though that this review, despite all your consideration of personal liking for the band, is closer to my own opinion on the album than DerRozz's review, although that one is composed by a far more experienced hand.
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| D.a.n Posts: 42 |
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306 |
Written by D.a.n on 12.10.2011 at 23:01 I'm not speaking for anyone else, but I enjoy this kind of discussion. It's interesting to see how intense people get in their defense of a band.
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| D.a.n Posts: 42 |
Written by Troy Killjoy on 13.10.2011 at 02:11 Troy, me old mate, you are right - it is (or, rather, was) interesting to read the discussion. Sadly it became an old hat at one point as 'the parties involved' failed to come up with any new arguments (or noteworthy insults, for that matter) and have been flogging a dead horse since. But hell - if the guys have enough time to waste I guess arguing here as good as anything. Just PM me if it gets interesting again, ok mate? 
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306 |
Written by D.a.n on 14.10.2011 at 20:44 haha I'll keep you posted if something happens, but like yesterday's news this review thread is all but forgotten. Just wait for the new Metallica/Megadeth albums to be reviewed. Shit will really hit the fan. (Opeth's Heritage review thread was good too.)
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| Slayer666 Posts: 2466  |
Written by Troy Killjoy on 14.10.2011 at 20:47 Considering how shitty Metallica's newest is prolly going to be, I don't think anyone will complain when Bitter/Daniel/you/Rozz slam it with a 3 or so. But, yeah, I can't wait for Megadeth. The bitching is probably going to be the only good thing that album does.
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306 |
Written by Slayer666 on 14.10.2011 at 20:50 Oh dear, you must not be familiar with Metallica fanboys. Sure a majority of us will label it shit and write it off...but the fanboys, man. They won't drop the argument that Metallica is the best band ever, everything they touch is gold, we're close-minded, why do we even bother reviewing it if we aren't going to give it a perfect 10, etc.
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| Slayer666 Posts: 2466 |
Written by Troy Killjoy on 14.10.2011 at 20:52 >_< I have a nasty cold, my brain is working with about 10% of its capacity, thus it slipped my mind it's Meta-fucking-llica we're talking here. Scratch what I said.
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| X-Ray Rod Skandino Staff Posts: 18374  |
Written by Slayer666 on 14.10.2011 at 20:55 I remember when I invited my best friend and another pal to my house a week ago. This pal wouldn't stop asking me for some metallica in my stereo and I just flat out told him "I only have their debut in my pc... and I don't eally listen to it". Seriously, every single conversation that we had was connected somehow with this luine "yeah.... so can we listen to master of puppets now?" Fuck that shit dude. It's my house 
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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| Void Eater Account deleted |
Void Eater
Account deleted Written by Daniell on 30.09.2011 at 10:32 So that's where Troy got his Deathday 666 review from.
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306 |
Written by [user id=111774] on 15.10.2011 at 05:05 Merely a coincidence, I assure you.
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| Vonpire Posts: 471 |
This review thread isn't forgotten. It's only getting full of o.t. I knew you guys would miss me xD Still 8.36 avg , closer to my 9.5 than the 6 of derozen. yeah I win! Lol
---- Beware the Shadows of Dusk
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306 |
Written by Vonpire on 15.10.2011 at 20:40 According to Drew Carey, you actually lose.
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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