Aww, this thread ALREADY died????
Well, I thought I'd enlighten a few in here actually.
I'm the one who actually got my bro into HIM and well, he bought the new album over the weekend and came over and stressed I should check it out even though I told him previously how disappointed I was with it....
...well, I'm a sucker. I listened to it and what can I fucking say, man? The freaking album IS, hands down, the best album I have heard all year. I was INSTANTLY impressed blasting through my stereo system. The songs rule, Valo's singing kicks ass as usual and the production is simply amazing especially if you have the right hardware. What's even more impressive? Overall, the album is superior to Dark Light even though not one track surpasses "Wings" imo. Doesn't matter...not when you have such an awesome collection of songs thrown in here.
Often, there's always at least ONE song I dislike on an album from ANY given band. This album is no exception. But out of the 9 tracks, ONLY one is actually weak....and that's The Kiss of Dawn, which is too bad as it kicks off with a spectacularly heavy riff. The chorus just flat out ruins it, though.
But dammit, the other 8 tracks rule and the BIG highlights for me are Venus Doom, Passion's Killing Floor (yes, I have come to the conclusion how much this song kicks ass - the more you listen the better it gets!), Sleepwalking Past Hope and my favourite off the album, Love In Cold Blood - damn that CHORUS! Valo does it again...catchy as fuck and absolutely addictive music.
"My heart's a graveyard baby, and to evil we make love, on the passion's killing floor..." - you can't beat this stuff! Valo's use of Metaphors in his lyrics are second to none. He has a totally unique and original style of writing - his own thing, which is great.
Man was my first impression of this album way off. I'm just glad I didn't give up on it, heh.
So yeah Bluesky, you're definitely CORRECT about this album. Not the best one, but fucking good enough to be the best this year has to offer...so far - OHHHH YEAHHHH.
, Pretending AND Lose You Tonight on it!) 
