Tristania - Ashes

Norwegian goth metallers Tristania formed in 1997 and quickly released their self-titled demo. The doom-laden sound of Widows Weeds got them signed with Napalm Records, but it was 1999's Beyond The Veil which opened people's eyes and ears to this talented band. Two years later, the polished World Of Glass led to a breakthrough for Tristania. Main songwriter Morten Veland left and it appeared that Tristania was on the verge of breaking up. Veland formed the similar-minded Sirenia and Tristania created the three-headed lead vocal sound with female vocalist Vibeke Stene being joined by a pair of male vocalists; clean singing Osten Bergoy and growling Kjetil Ingebrethsen. Tristania knew they needed to take a step up and they signed with S.P.V. It took nearly four years, but finally Ashes is seeing the light of day.

The photo on the inside of S.P.V.'s promo of Tristania's Ashes sees Vibeke Stene separated from her bandmates. This would appear to be a blatant attempt to capitalize on Evanescence and, to a lesser extent, Lacuna Coil's popularity. Thus, it's surprising that Ashes would open with "Libre," a song dominated by dull music and Kjetil Ingebrethsen's growling vocals. "Equilibrium" is more like the Tristania of World Of Glass and Beyond The Veil. The music focuses on acoustic guitars, but the sound is very full. The male vocals reside in goth territory, while the female vocals take an expanded role. The excellent "The Wretched" is up next. It's heavy and complemented by aggressive vocals and male choirs. "Cure" is mellow with Stene taking the lead role. The haunting "Shadowman" and melancholic epic "Endogenisis" ends Ashes, much like Tristania's doomier late nineties work.

Ashes is not great like Beyond The Veil, but should prove worth the wait for their eager fans.