TURN LOOSE THE SWANS

While I have a huge appreciation for melancholic music that has a beauty to it, this isn't it. When the music drifts into that depressive state, I'm out. And of course their anti-God stance basically takes away any of that true light that humans are drawn to. This is a negatively dark album, like all of their music. And while I agree this is a huge upgrade over their debut, I'm just not into their cold and empty sound. That debut was extreme all the way. This second release at least has contrasts to that extreme side of their music. Clean guitars and vocals have a place here.

They were a five piece on that debut, but that one guest Martin Powell who added violin becomes the sixth member here on album number two. He also adds piano making him an important part of their change in sound. This record has plenty of violin and piano. We get just under an hour of music over seven tracks. This album is hugely influential. That doesn't mean it's good of course, it just means that a young band at the time like KATATONIA suddenly has new heroes, along with PARADISE LOST who were from this same period. Some bands mention early ANATHEMA as well, again this is all during the early nineties.

So we get lots of slow and repetitive music that has more in common with DEAD CAN DANCE than the Prog Metal going on at this time. They are about creating as depressing a mood as possible. Hopeless music. I think there are comparisons to be made between this band and KATATONIA. Both released debuts that were their most extreme, and both are my least favourites. Album number two for both would be what hard core fans consider their best. Their classic records in "Brave Murder Day" and "Turn Loose The Swans". Both bands bring in clean vocals and music that is less abrasive that at least create some good contrasts. But it's the third albums from both where they find their signature sound and where I feel they start releasing their best music.

Like KATATONIA's "Brave Murder Day", 3 stars is all I got for this one. Now "The Angel And The Dark River" is another story.

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