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If you want good solid gothic rock, look no further than Germany's Lacrimas Profundere. Singer Rob Vitacca has a deep voice, similar to Peter Steele, while musically we are in H.I.M. territory. "A Pearl" is catchy, without lingering in your head afterwards. "The Shadow I Once Kissed" features piano, strings and female backing vocals. While I like straight-down-the-line dark rock music, it can get dull, so it's great the formula has been reinvented so soon. There's a lightness of touch that reminds me of "Brighter Than The Sun"-era Tiamat. A rock'n'roll 'huh!' and some Guns N' Roses-style riffing injects life into the song, with an element of unpredictability.
"Veins" mixes tempos, with a gentle cantering pace at times, to good effect. The gliding keyboards add emotional depth. "We Shouldn't Be Here" has a slight electronic edge, which keeps things interesting. "And God's Ocean" starts slowly, with an echo-laden guitar. It's intoxicating to hear the band tackling something different. These moody atmospherics suit the band. The song slowly builds, mixing the sounds of A-ha and Depeche Mode. "Suicide Sun" sees a return to the band's signature sound. There's some choppy guitar which stops things sounding too smooth and an instrumental break helps to build the tension. The wibbly guitar solo actually complements the song, rather than just serving the ego of the guitarist. "Dear Army" shares the intensity of certain Nine Inch Nails songs. It has a predatory feeling, mixed with the strength of a teenage tantrum. "A Dead Man" sees Lacrimas Profundere in ballad-mode again. I love this side of the band. "Sacrifical Lamb" starts like Fields of the Nephilim, with FX-filled guitars and a funereal mood. This album is front-loaded with the band's more accessible material, but it is songs like this where they really shine. Given its title it's ironic that "Lullaby For A Weeping Girl" is a return to the band's usual rockier sound. It's competent, but doesn't inspire shivers down the spine like their slower stuff. The drum-driven climax is effective. "While" shows the quieter side of the band. We're in the world of "Last Exit For The Lost", though the hammering drums is more redolent of The Nefilim than Fields of the Nephilim. Lacrimas Profundere aren't the most innovative band around, but not everyone can reinvent music. They make good solid gothic rock, with flashes of interest. It's when the band slow the tempo that they are at their most beguiling. There's nothing on this album you haven't heard before, but I doubt you'd mind hearing it again. |
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