Customer Reviews

(If)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first came upon DOD due to their Clan of Xymox connection, but too often found their music repetitive and one-dimensional. Like so many bands in this genre, the sounds and production are there, but the songwriting isn't. In the case of DOD, far too much reliance on a particular minor-chord arrangement often utilized by Depeche Mode on albums like "Black Celebration". But this release is a killer - compositionally, light-years ahead of their other albums, while less industrial, and much more emotionally gothic and dark; the arrangements finally being able to shift away from the unvarying nature of their predecessors. This is really DOD's dark masterpiece, best listened to alongside albums like Xymox's "Creatures" or Gary Numan's "Exile". This is an album for a rainy night - haunting, moody and atmospheric, with a driving percussiveness - but at times almost too lush to be labeled "darkwave". While a couple of the songs do tend to plod along in a too-recurrent pattern, this is still a huge step ahead for this band. Another odd way I thought of describing this: Peter Steele (of Type O Negative) joins Depeche Mode!!

Diary of Dreams has done it again: produced an absolutely stunning soundscape saturated in tragedy, despair, and this time, even a great amount of hope. This album stretches the depths of depression, yet simultaneously uplifts and sublimates sorrow into the will to carry on. I also own One of 18 Angels, Freak Perfume, Moments of Bloom, Nigredo, and Nekrolog 43 by this band, and although some elements and themes may be somewhat recycled in (if), new life pulses in the familiar yet hauntingly elusive tales of madmen, echoes of rebellion, and cries of utter despair in the face of the hazed veil of bleakness shadowing every corner of consciousness. "Odyssey Asylum", "The Colors of Grey", "King of Nowhere", and "Mind Over Matter" are worthy of tears, and touch me deeply. "The Wedding", "Poison Breed", and "Choir Hotel" are delightfully demented, almost sick nursery rhymes. The whole album is solid, and there is never a dull moment. I recommend this album for anyone interested in truly thought- and emotion- inspiring, deep, dark music. Diary of Dreams is bar none my favorite German darkwave band, probably my most loved band I have experienced to this point in my life.

Buy this, soothe your sorrowful mind....

I was beyond excited about this album, after hearing all the hype and buzz, and then seeing the music video for The Wedding, I just thought this album would blow my mind. Perhaps I shot myself in the leg here, because at best this has a handful of really great tracks, mixed with some uninspired, rushed sounding rock tunes. This isn't Freak Perfume, nor is it anywhere close to One of 18 Angels, where most of his previous work is conceptual in the sense that they tie together, (if) is very straight forward mix of different songs, I did know this prior to listening, and looked forward to how it would work. It does and it doesn't. The production and quality is all here, and there are some bone chilling sorrow filled tracks that will rattle you. (btw, I recommend you getting the collectors version for the extra tracks, those tracks are amazing, and well worth it) My favorite tracks are The Wedding, Choir Hotel, King Of Nowhere, The Saint, and Never Tell The Widow, the latter two both only exlusive bonus tracks. Now, don't assume I've just skimmed the album and not truely given it a chance, because it's not the case I've been listening it constantly for the last month or so. It's not a bad album by any means, I'd just say, if you're new to DOD, go ahead with Freak Perfume, or One of 18 Angels, Nekrolog 43 was a great album as well. Purists will more than likely pick it up, but I have a feeling they'll feel the same way I do about this one.