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This is a real heavy one. A true piledriver. The name of the game is written on the faces of the men in the band: Illusions of children are long gone, and what is left is harsh and masculine vision, 100% honest music, something that won’t look back with apologies or repent. Marco Hietala has played in Sinergy and Nightwish, but this is Tarot, and all opportunism and trend-following is absent. This is true Tarot. A truely heavy album, but thankfully not without nuances. I must admit my doubts rose in the beginning of the album when the first guitar-bass riff blasted from the speakers in a real down-tuned and monotonous-sounding manner. But as the first track I Rule proceeded, I was relieved. Great vocal lines. Marco Hietala’s voice in quite unlike any other singer I’ve heard, really distinctive, sounds proud and extremely strong. Also what is really original in Tarot’s sound at least in the metal of today - especially in music as heavy as this - is Janne Tolsa’s keyboards. They bring nice flavour to the music and also act as a sort of a soothing counterforce for the grinding guitars. The use of keyboards is underrated these days. Think for example how cool keyboards sound on many Black Sabbath’s Tony Martin era albums. I’ve got Tarot’s first album The Spell Of Iron from 1986, but I must say I haven’t ever since followed their career too closely. I loved the first album, but lately I’ve grown to appreciate this sound which they developed as Janne Tolsa joined the band. Earlier songs like Iron Stars and Warhead are excellent, and there’s many songs on this album that are just as good. Follow The Blind has an excellent chorus, the arrangement is really inventive. Pyre Of Gods, Undead Son, From The Void are all brilliant songs. Generally I think this album is a cool combination of heavy grinding and rewarding melodious - yet ultra tough - parts. ¾ of the band has played together since the very beginning in the mid-80’s. That is well to be heard all over this album. And I really appreciate it when a band doesn’t settle for the obvious and really uses brains in the songwriting. The best album released this year so far for sure.
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Neon Nights / May 2003 |
