EXISTENCE

Entirely proficient and occasionally exciting brooding metal limited in its effectiveness by a lack of originality and flourishes which so punctuate bands which they are likely to be compared to.

Existence is, taken as a whole, a fairly typical release of the genre, but has some good things going for it. The atmosphere is dark, but not oppressive, and the songwriting fairly complex despite the somewhat laid-back tempo of many of the songs. Musicianship is about what one would demand of the genre-- which means proficient and aggressive playing, as well as highs and lows which is all but essential these days. Knappe's vocals are clean and smooth, with thoughtful phrasing and delivery.

So what's the problem?

There isn't anything here you can't hear somewhere else better; moreover, the repetitiveness of the band's playing here will probably make the listener numb by the half-way mark... not to mention by the end of this album's 78 minute length! There are no flashes of guitar virtuosity, complexity in rhythm or time changes, or demonstration of range in the vocals. The end effect is a bland palette of crunchy chugging and atmospherics which don't make much of an impact.

Still, for fans of bands like Pain of Salvation, Riverside, Anathema, etc., Existence does offer some interesting and familiar sounds-- just don't expect them to match what you might find here. There is definantly potential for excellence here, if Dark Suns can find their own voice.

Songwriting: 3 Instrumental Performances: 3 Lyrics/Vocals: 3 Style/Emotion/Replay: 2