Music: Goth/Black Metal/Doom
Country: France
Web site: www.theolddeadtree.com
Cool Songs: Start the Fire, Dive, This is Now Farewell
Frances kings of downtrodden sentiment, THE OLD DEAD TREE return with their third full-length offering under the banner of Season of Mist Records. Their initial effort The Nameless Disease was a harrowing concept album on the loss of a dear friend. The follow up, The Perpetual Motion was a concept album split into four parts. The groups newest recording The Water Fields is yet another concept album. This title denotes a place where one finds refuge from pain and everyday doubt.
What makes this storyline so bleak is no such place exists. It is a place of imaginary yearning. Our minds have a magical ability to shut out painful memoriesthis is the Water Fields. THE OLD DEAD TREE makes use of many changes in tone and style to realize the storys pessimistic, forlorn theme. Guitar scales taken from the book of the ancient near east cast a mystical quality to the storys beginning. This rhythm changes into angry, black metal realms comprised of fast tremolo riffing, blasting beats and throaty vocals. Following the same course laid down for most of the tracks, the tone falls into placidity, possibly signifying arrival into the river Lethe. Here the listener will find vocal and guitar melodies of a melancholic nature.
Dive is another track containing strong melodiesat least at the songs onset. Manuel Munozs hurtful, clean vocals accompany piano keys moving lethargically over a constant ringing guitar tone. More angry aberrations follow before settling into melodies that would rival DARK TRANQUILITY. This is Farewell, appropriately, marks the albums closing. This track begins with an acoustic guitar slightly pushing the tempo more than previous harmonious passages. This melodic death instrumental shows a strong resolution for the album. The group utilizes a classical movement of bold brass to lay the album to bed.
THE OLD DEAD TREE is a special treat for all the meloncholiacs out there. Whether of anger, suffering or sadness, each instrument strongly exudes dark emotions. While The Watery Fields doesnt contain the heart wrenching agony of The Nameless Disease, which is a hard act to follow considering the traumatic concept of that album, it does show a musical maturity beyond their first two albums, and it will STILL fuck you up inside!
note: 7.5/10
Tracklist
1. Start The Fire
2. Don't Wake Me Up (Those Who Never Wear White)
3. Dive 04:51
4. What's Done Is Done
5. The Water Fields
6. Is Your Soul For Sale?
7. A Distant Light Was Shining
8. Regarding Kate
9. Rise To The Occasion
10. Hey
11. This Is Now Farewell
Total playing time 46:54
Line-up
Manuel Munoz-vocals, guitar
Gilles Moinet-guitars
Vincent Danhier-bass
Foued Moukid-drums
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