Band:	Dreadful Shadows
Album:	Estrangement
Style:	Gothic metal
Release date:	April 1994
A review by:	KwonVerge

01. Resurrection
02. Over The Worst
03. Dead Can Wait
04. Still Alive
05. Through The Mirror
06. Funeral Procession
07. A Sea Of Tears
08. Dirge
09. Her Devotion
10. The Release
11. Estrangement

It was autumn of 1993 when the flowers started to wither; leaves were falling on the dying earth while lonely souls were drowning in oblivion. It was autumn of 1993 when Dreadful Shadows composed their very promising debut album and began their delightful journey into the shadows of the dark/gothic scene. With "Estrangement" they determined their own sound, their personal style, a style which they'd improve from album to album.

When The Sisters of Mercy were in decomposition, The Fields of the Nephilim had disbanded and The Mission had changed their sound in order to attain stardom, Dreadful Shadows, along with bands like Love Like Blood, Garden Of Delight and Nosferatu, were one the bands of the gothic rock scene to continue the legacy of the great old ones. They definitely aren't the typical gothic rock band you'll meet around since they harmonize their gothic rock with metal references in the guitars, sounding heavier than an average gothic rock band. What makes them unique is the voice of their charismatic singer/composer/lyricist, Sven Friedrich, who sends shivers down the spine of the listener with his emotional interpretations, evoking visions of agony and sorrow. Gothic rock guitar riffing, more heavily expressed, beautiful and atmospheric keyboard melodies and orchestrations and Sven Friedrich's unique voice consist of the very soul Dreadful Shadows, offering utterly emotional and intense compositions for the restless souls in oblivion.

"Resurrection" opens "Estrangement" in the most appropriate way. Serene and mournful at times, imposing and intense at others, atmospheric orchestral and keyboard based pieces lead slowly to the next composition, "Over the Worst." The imposing drumming opens this composition. The inspired heavy gothic-rock-oriented guitar riffing, along with Sven's descriptive voice evoke a melancholic and hopeless atmosphere. Sven is a really wonderful interpreter and with the way he sings he ensures you that "for a hope it's too late, you are over the worst..." It seems that great songs come one after the other; then the groovier and heavier "Dead Can Wait" arrives. The heavy guitar riffing harmonizes wonderfully with the atmospheric keyboards that can be heard from above and Sven shows for one more time the grandeur of his voice with intensity and passion!

The mood remains heavy, harmonizing with the groovy feeling of gothic rock with the astonishing "Still Alive" in which Dreadful Shadows keep on rolling the gothic way with the guitars burning the shrouds one more time! The mournful keyboard melodies open the following "Through the Mirror" and Dreadful Shadows backs away from the heavy guitars to compose a desperate hymn of solitude with everyone in the band sounding wonderful and expressive. Needless to say Sven Friedrich's emotional voice shatters all hope! Dreamy keyboard melodies open "Funeral Procession," but believe me, the song is not happy at all. The acoustic guitar chords surround the listener with a funeral veil and as the song goes on they turn to slow heavy guitars escalating the emotional charge of this composition. The lyrics are utterly heart-rending and poetic and Sven seems to be living every single word he utters with his breath freezing every hope. An ode to threnody and a Dreadful Shadows highlight has finished letting another deeply emotional song begin, "Sea Of Tears." The guitars accompany the keyboard melodies which float in the air like a siren's dreamy song, harmonizing beautifully with Sven's stunning voice tempting you to follow him "in the sea of tears" where sorrow reigns and tears unleash their bitterness.

Almost two minutes of orchestral inspiration opens "Dirge," which follows. Slowly the acoustic guitar chords and Sven's dreamy voice start lending shivers down your spine with the serene melancholy they evoke waiting for the heavy and imposing guitar riffing to escalate the emotional charge of the song! A marvelous and inspired composition has finished and Dreadful Shadows keeps on rocking the gothic rock way with two outstanding heavy and groovy pieces: "Her Devotion" and "The Release," lead the album to its end with "Estrangement." It starts to rain. A church bell echoes in a funeral way and a wailing female voice sings one final serenade. The acoustic guitar chords, that turn to heavier riffing as the song reaches its end, evoke an exceptional funeral-like atmosphere while Sven interprets with his mesmerizing voice his poetic hopeless lyrics that drown you in despair and sorrow as the album ends.

A fabulous debut album from the best gothic band of the 90s, a must-have release for all the gothic adorers for sure!