DARK TRANQUILLITY „Damage Done”

I have definitely been damaged by the sixth opus from the mighty and underrated Dark Tranquillity. It is really a pleasure to be able to hear something so refreshing, deep, aggressive and well done in the same package. Damage Done is full of surprises that will leave you breathless.

As many of you know, Dark Tranquillity, together with bands like At The Gates, Ceremonial Oath and In Flames, were responsible for creating the sound that in the mid 90´s became known to the world as Melodic Death Metal. It is funny because none of them could be really categorized into this sound anymore, a thing that is primarily due to the fact that these bands are always in constant creation and evolution (or have disappeared of course).

Returning to the exquisite Damage Done, I can tell you that it is one of the best works the band has ever recorded (well, all of them rule so this may not be a complement for some of you, but keep on reading). In some songs they have returned to their murdering Mind´s I rhythms, you will love it. This means that once again we experience the Dark Tranquillity speed found in their first releases. We also have the half-time projector rhythms here and there, and the incredible electronic atmospheres found in the amazing Haven.

Without doubt, with this release Dark Tranquillity will gain new fans and recover the old ones. A CD with this composition can only be praised for its complexity, originality and most important, emotion practiced in each sonical journey.

Damage Done is the perfect mix between past and present Dark Tranquillity. I can´t express my happiness after knowing that the mighty swedish demons returned to their roots without loosing the innovation love that has always been such an important piece of their music.

If you get the Digipack version, the one I got jejeje, you will have the “I, Deception” bonus track and the “Monochromatic Stains” video. I have to tell you that I haven´t been able to see it because I need a quicktime update, damn!

In the beginning I mentioned how damaged I was after listening to this CD for several times. I am still hurt and I hope that you can also reach this level of pain once you have in your hands what in my eyes is the best CD of the year.

www.darktranquillity.com

note: 9.2 out of 10

Tracklist

1. Final resistance
2. Hours passed in exile
3. Monochromatic stains
4. Single part of two
5. The treason wall
6. Format C: For cortex
7. Damage done
8. I, Deception (Digipack)
9. Cathode ray sunshine
10. The enemy
11. White noise/Black silence
12. Ex Nihilo