OLD EYES, NEW HEART

If you find yourself nostalgic, lamenting the loss of the great Peter Steele, and find yourself re-engaged in the modern gothic rock and metal genre, then you'll be pleasantly surprised with Madder Mortem's latest release Old Eyes, New Heart. I came to this by way of going back through Type O and The Cure's catalogs. Interested in modern gothic rock, I discovered bands like Unto Others, 69 Eyes, and another band making a comeback from the vaults, The Mission (whose current release is also highly recommended).

Madder Mortem offers exceptionally strong and identifiable vocals from Agnete Kirkevaag. While the Tech Extreme Metal genre can sometimes be off-putting, make no doubts there are moments of variety and dynamics. Sure, there's the scant occasion of vocal fry, but the focus is usually on clean vocals, projected with great nuance, a clear communication of emotion and story. On Guard, for instance, or Cold Dark Rain, these are bluesy rock, vampiric torchlights in the brief 48 minute shadowfell. I really appreciate the length of this album, it's perfect. No filler, exactly what needs to be there without the ear and mind drain of longer albums.

The instrumentation is wholly supportive of the vocals, at times channeling the vibe of Beyond The Buried And Me or The Contortionist, but never getting too complex or losing the message. For me, the supercharged moments, both in vocals and instrumentation, could be compared to Oceans of Slumber. I hear many similarities between both bands, Madder bridging more of the Gothic sound and vibe however.

The production of the album is admirable, the engineering is top notch. Pro. Two lines down the middle. Even if this is not your style at the moment, I highly recommend the album. I never thought embracing this darkness could feel so inviting and exciting.