Customer Reviews

Skydancer & Of Chaos and Eternal Night

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Dark Tranquillity, one of the founding fathers of melodic death metal, live up to their name. This is not to say that all their songs are uninspired, repetitive sleepers. In fact, ¡°Skydancer¡± is probably the most varied and complex of all the Dark Tranquillity albums, containing riffs and bass lines that are sometimes repeated only once or twice a song and are heard only on repeated listens. The dual guitars are woven together beautifully, complementing each other perfectly as the music flows and blazes onwards into fantastic soundscapes of darkness and twilight. The acoustic parts and female vocals are not overdone. Rather than drowning the album¡¯s aggressiveness in supposed ¡°feeling,¡± the softer aspects of the music are used sparingly and to great effect, providing a contrast to the more violent side of the music in order to create an overall sound that is even more majestic and complete. Anders Jivarp is not fastest or most aggressive drummer out there, but that is hardly the point. The drumming is competent and provides a solid foundation for everything else, but even more importantly, it shows a bit of emotion and becomes incorporated into the fabric of music instead of existing outside of it. If you are already familiar with Dark Tranquillity, then there is really nothing I need to say about the lyrics. They are, as always, wonderfully well written and darkly fantastic (some may call them cheesy in an affectionate sort of way, but this seems slightly derogatory and there is nothing wrong with the lyrics). What¡¯s even better about the vocals is that they resemble the drums in the respect that they mesh together flawlessly with the music, unlike some bands who have vocalists that always seem to be screaming over the guitars (making the instruments impossible to hear) or under them (making the vocals unintelligible). Actually, the only problem I have with ¡°Skydancer¡± is the production. As far as sound quality goes, there¡¯s not much wrong, but I have to crank the volume way up just to be able to hear this CD. But besides that minor point, this is a wonderful piece of melodic death metal that is essential for anyone claming to be a fan of the Gothenburg sound.

On historical importance one should not overlook _Skydancer_, but the musical value of this exceptional debut is most noteworthy. Released in 1993, _Skydancer_ was a seminal melodic death metal album. But the early music of Dark Tranquillity has only broad technical attributes in common with the 'melodeath' with which most are familiar. For that matter, it barely resembles Dark Tranquillity's own music of late. Dark Tranquillity's early path was paved with Swedish death metal influences, progressive metal, and melodically driven riffing. The music is very high-speed and more "classically"-structured, and the band employs many acoustic guitar interludes, highly imaginative, snaky bass playing (Martin Hendricksson is one of my favorite metal bassists), with vocals consisting of harsh screaming as well as soprano and tenor vocals.

This is the only full-length release on which Anders Friden (now of In Flames) performs screaming vocals. Stanne is still in the band, but he plays guitar and sings the clean vocals. The lineup is different but the fundamental concept of the music is basically the primitive form of the subsequent masterpieces, _The Gallery_ and _The Mind's I_ (two of the greatest metal albums ever). The production is very low-budget and raw, and Friden's vocals are kind of substandard most of the time (I much prefer Stanne).

Most songs consist of brutally melodic, crunchy riffs racing along frantic tempos with moody key changes and rhythmic dynamics. Their musical language was always far broader than their contemporaries (even now this remains true). A few of the other songs are different: "Through Ebony Archways" is a Romanian-influenced ballad-like song with a mix of clean male and female vocals and screaming vox over the distorted middle part. Then there is "A Bolt of Blazing Gold", one of Dark Tranquillity's greatest moments. From its lamentful opening to the chorus that toggles between angelic soprano and Friden's anguished rasp with heartrending guitar melodies. The middle section has a lovely acoustic folk melody with which Anna-Kaisa Avehall is backed by a softly singing Mikael Stanne. Brilliant!

The EP _Of Chaos and Eternal Night_, thankfully included on this reissue, solidifies the lineup with Stanne moved to vocals and Johansson recruited for guitar. Three of the songs are Dark Tranquillity's metallic genius, the other is a remix of the _Skydancer_ song "Away", with Stanne singing.

Don't overlook the early Dark Tranquillity -- it offers as much, if not more, than anything else they have released.

Which came first the chicken or the egg? We can argue all the way back to the dawn of time. Dark Tranquillity's contribution to the "Gothenberg" sound is well documented and well deserved. But look no further than this CD to find the purest, most unpretentious expression of the New Melodic Metal(tm). The mix is a bit low and the production could have used the modern recording luxuries of pro tools and the Eventide Harmonizer. Nevertheless, this album is unequalled in melody, musicianship, songwriting and personnel. From the first word of the first song, "Nightfall!!!" you know you are in for something special. The melody of the guitars and the blasting drums just hit you like a ton of bricks. The manic, emotional and outstanding vocals, conjure up a desperate,violent landscape of beautiful (if not cheesy) lyrical content. I can't say just what makes this album fire on all cylinders time and time again. But, after repeated play in my rotation. I can't stop going back to it. Just to remind myself of the unique and as yet unparalled contribution to the much maligned but very important Melodic/Death sound. Not as accessable as their later, more mature works. Their current sound is absolutely top notch (I'd recommend ANY of their albums) but alot different from Skydancer. After Anders left to front In Flames we gained a great band and lost a big part of what defined DT's sound. Seek this out, if you even have the slightest interest or respect for a landmark album that has been buried by the evil monster it created. Essential listening.

This is one of the most memorable Dark Tranquillity releases. Incredible, complex songwriting, incredible use of acoustics and distorted electric guitars entwined with each other. Each song lives up to the super heavy but melodic guitar leads.

The production, and the vocals on "Skydancer" are a bit weak, but I can live with that. This might not be quite as accessable as their later work, it's a lot different and might take some growing into.

Some standouts are "Shadow Duet," a satisfying amount of acoustics and all kinds of vocals, "Crimson Winds," some of my favorite heart-crushing riffs, "Through Ebony Archways," a totally laid-bcak song with a tasty mix of clean vocals and angelic female vocals, plus eerie acoustic melodies, and finally, "A Bolt of Blazing Gold," possibly my favorite Dark Tranquillity song ever. It is the longest song on here. It has a very epic feel, awesome lyrics, and as much acoustic guitars as distorted. There are some good female vocals here too. This song just creates an atmosphere like no other.

"Of Chaos and Eternal night" is even more aggressive. At this point Mikeal Stanne has joined the group as vocalist and does a better job. It's also got better production.

Anyway, if you loved "The Gallery," don't forget this. Personally, I like it better, and that's saying a lot. I always keep coming back for more.

....and you will fall in love with this album. the melodic guitars, the pounding drums, the insanely beautiful female vocals; all of which you will come to adore in this brilliant piece of musicianship. standout tracks are "a blazing bolt of gold," "crimson winds," "my faeryland forgotten," and "away, delight, away."

i am happy that from now on, it will be easier to find this excellent album in the stores, i was lucky and i could buy one of the original edition. it was the first album that i heard of DT and it just made me fall in love with this band, the music is fresh and beautiful, songs as "crimson winds" or "a bolt of blazing gold" are wonderful, the female vocals fit in this album in a perfect way, better that later albums for my ears. if you have not this album then i must say that you have an incomplete collection.

This is a re-release of Dark Tranquillity's debut album and following EP. This is a s brutal as you can get, while still having the music be considered "Melodic Death Metal." Although my favorite Melodic Death Metal albums are At The Gates' "Slaughter of the Soul" and Dark Tranquillity's second release "The Gallery," this album is definitely in my top 10, and I would still give it five stars. It really is a good deal, considering it has so many classic songs. Dark Tranquillity is my favorite Melodic Death Metal band, you will want to have this CD if you like Death Metal.

Have you ever wondered where the likes of Soilwork, Opeth, In Flames, Arch Enemy, and Children of Bodom got inspiration. Well, look no further. Some might say that it all began with At the Gates(probably the best band ever). At the Gates was more thrash/ death metal than melodic death metal. This CD was the beginning. The first 9 songs are from the Skydancer album, which was DT debut. These songs re well executed with some very excellent tracks. Others are just filler. The most surprising thing about this album is the vocals. Anders Friden heads up the vocal department(if you've been living in box for the past couple of years, Friden fronts In Flames). The last 4 songs are amazing. Mikael Stanne takes over vocal duties and more than fills Friden's shoes. THe Alone remix is simply a classic. Pick this up if you enjoy well played metal. Classic.

Originally released in 1993, Dark Tranquility's Skydancer remains a masterpiece. Along with At the Gates, In Flames, Carcass, Death and Edge of Sanity, Dark Tranquility created the genre known as melodic death metal. Everything expected of a good melodic death album is here. Aggresive sounds juxtaposed with acoustic parts, an inteligent concept and growled vocals. Mikeal Stanne is one of the only vocalists who can sound pissed off and peaceful all at the same time. Many of the ideas such as using female vocals for different effects were way ahead of their time as well. Can't give a perfect rating though because while it's original, the production isn't very well done and they hadn't quite hit the peak of their skills yet.

I agree with Lord Chimp, though the album shows its age. I have a very hard time giving it more than 4 because of Friden's vocals... they're really bad. Don't expect In Flames from him yet. I want to give it a 3 because of the vocals, but the music just pulls it up over the top.

Musically... brilliant. Overall I still prefer the newest releases; industrial-metal mixes are my thing, but this is as solid as you get, and for a first album... outclasses anything I could do myself. (Except for the vocals.)