Dark End
Damned Woman and a Carcass ()
Wydane przez Necrotorture AgencyRok wydania Kraj ItalyNapisał Wouter5
Italian six-piece Dark End debut internationally with this epic album of quasi-bombastic, semi-theatrical symphonic black metal in vein of (early) Cradle Of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, Axamenta and the likes. After an obligate pompous intro piece the band kicks off its debut; from the onset it's clear that the band are surprisingly brutal given the usual restraints of this genre. It also becomes painfully clear that Dark End do nothing out of the ordinary in the process, instead they safely re-tread the paths laid out by the greats of the genre. All members master their respective instruments more than adequately yet the by-the-numbers songwriting and tiresome lyrical concept makes "Damned Woman and a Carcass" a tedious affair that will do little to establish the band in the international scene. When Dark End shifts gears and plays fast (including chaotic shredding solos and blastbeats) they show their strengths, yet the obligate keyboard - and piano tapestries, poor choice in vocal lines and flawed dynamics take down much effect this record could have had. The production courtesy of Mindcrime Studio is massive and retains enough heaviness while not sacrificing any clarity. Artwork, design and lay-out are substandard and poor in execution. Dark End definitely hold promise for possible future greatness but the potential does not yet show on this record. Overall, the band would benefit from being a bit more adventurous in their songwriting and setting up their own lyrical concept instead of liberally borrowing the usual ideas of this genre. The cover of Joy Division's 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' is an original touch on an otherwise mundane effort.
www.darkend.it
