ARTROSIS „Melange”

A Polish band that has evolved a lot since their early releases that I didn't enjoy that much. They have become one of the leading goth bands in Poland. Their popularity has spread abroad and this album comes in two versions: one in Polish and one in English. This review deals with the English one.

The music is not metal but a gothic mix of Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode, Paradise Lost (“Icon” album) and Sisters of Mercy. The first track doesn't really represent the album. To be honest it's catchy. Sounds like Duran Duran and Rammstein were jammin' the other day. The chorus sounds a little like Duran Duran's James Bond theme!

The rest of the album is perhaps even better. The inspirations are obvious but the style is very diverse and kept “their own”. The metal part of the music is a little blurry because the guitars in no way dominate the sound. When the riffs are at their best they remind of Samael. All the instruments form an entity and blend into an ambient wall of heavy sound free from aggression but full of power and atmosphere. Track 4 is unfortunately a Nine Inch Nails rip-off. It's a strange instrumental mind-bending tune that has already been made by Trent Reznor.

On top of all you've got the female enchanting atmospheric vocals. You will find references to Cranberries and even Closterkeller (a Polish goth band that paved the way for this style in Poland). The vocals are not just another instrument as they often tend to be in this kind of music. They are given the space they deserve. The chick is not the best vocalist ever but her qualities are unquestionable. I'm not a sexist but I hate when female vocalists sound bitchy! Artrosis spare you in this respect. The chick has even got a good English accent and it makes it more enjoyable.

The band waves goodbye by delivering a great outro. It starts out with a soothing orchestral arrangement that suddenly changes to become some evil Dracula-like horror-movie soundtrack. Excellent stuff!

note: 9 out of 10.