KINGDOM OF SADNESS

This is just a joy to listen to instrumentally. Very Swedish sounding, in that it is fairly dark and melancholic. They use sampled mellotron on this album while on the follow up "And Then There Is Silence" they borrowed a real one. The vocals really kill this one for me. They are really over the top at times (straining), and out of tune once and a while. If they could re-record this with another vocalist i'd be overjoyed because the music is so good.

The first song and title track "Kingdom Of Sadness" does not disappoint though, and it's worth the price of admission. There is a couple of cringe moments with the vocals but the song is fantastic ! "Cold" is a fairly mellow, sad and restrained tune. "Memories" follows the same path as the previous song, but the vocals are worse. "Deep" is laid back until it kicks in around a minute. I like the heaviness.This contrast continues.

This really is frustrating because they obviously have a lot of talent and I really like their style, but for the love of all that is good and right get a new vocalist !