BAND: TAROT
ALBUM: Suffer Our Pleasures
LABEL: Metal Blade Records
LABEL URL: http://www.metalblade.com
RELEASE DATE: 2004
BAND URL: http://www.wingsofdarkness.net
TRACKLISTING
1. I Rule
2. Pyre of Gods
3. Rider of the Last Day
4. Follow the Blind
5. Undead Son
6. Of Time and Dust
7. From the Void
8. Convulsions
9. From the Shadows
10. Painless
REVIEW
Many things can change in five years. People, governments and even the paradigm of societies minds can change - depending upon what the current trend is. But the metal scene is one in constant flux - like embryonic cells infinitely dividing to create the latest creature / genre. For TAROT, it has been five years since their last release and on the lips of the Finnish metal scene is: Has the wait been worth it?
TAROT are a Finnish metal band that were formed in the mid-80s by brothers Marco vocals - and Zachary Hietala guitars. The other members comprise of Pecu Cinnari -drums - and Janne Tolsa - keyboards. Their discography debuts with Spell of Iron [1986], Follow Me into Madness [1988], To Live Forever [1993], Live [1994], Stigmata [1995] and For the Glory of Nothing [1998]. It seems that for the last five years the band members splintered-off to concentrate on other projects, but it wasnt until late 2002 that an agreement was made to record a new album.
So, Has the wait been worth it? The answer is an emphatic yes. One of the greatest pulls of this album is the fact that instead of trying to implement modern production techniques the album insists on maintaining its rawness. The guitars use a regular amount of distortion whereas the drums are not over emphasised and the bass can be heard strutting its stuff when the mood needs to be enhanced. There is an overall sense that the production value has actually given the music back to its players such that the pieces resonate from within without the need for any electronic post-production effects, a great example is the track Pyre of Gods which is a magnificent showpiece for this album.
There is an aural sensation that at times the instruments and the vocals are on a par which explains why Marco gets his aggressive vocals all worked up just to ensure that the listener knows whos boss. It is refreshing to hear a band that refuses to take up the modernity arms of post production but stick to its guns of what it knows sounds true to form.
There is a definite sense of erosion between man and God and this is exemplified in the opening track I Rule. The constant harangues between the fate of man and the outside are all expressed eloquently. Whether the listener interprets this as the constant struggle between the wishes of man and his desire to live without the incessant trappings of religion no matter how great a sin he commits is a great testament to the band who yet again show their maturity in their writing.
Reviewer Chief B
Rating 8/10
ALBUM: Suffer Our Pleasures
LABEL: Metal Blade Records
LABEL URL: http://www.metalblade.com
RELEASE DATE: 2004
BAND URL: http://www.wingsofdarkness.net
TRACKLISTING
1. I Rule
2. Pyre of Gods
3. Rider of the Last Day
4. Follow the Blind
5. Undead Son
6. Of Time and Dust
7. From the Void
8. Convulsions
9. From the Shadows
10. Painless
REVIEW
Many things can change in five years. People, governments and even the paradigm of societies minds can change - depending upon what the current trend is. But the metal scene is one in constant flux - like embryonic cells infinitely dividing to create the latest creature / genre. For TAROT, it has been five years since their last release and on the lips of the Finnish metal scene is: Has the wait been worth it?
TAROT are a Finnish metal band that were formed in the mid-80s by brothers Marco vocals - and Zachary Hietala guitars. The other members comprise of Pecu Cinnari -drums - and Janne Tolsa - keyboards. Their discography debuts with Spell of Iron [1986], Follow Me into Madness [1988], To Live Forever [1993], Live [1994], Stigmata [1995] and For the Glory of Nothing [1998]. It seems that for the last five years the band members splintered-off to concentrate on other projects, but it wasnt until late 2002 that an agreement was made to record a new album.
So, Has the wait been worth it? The answer is an emphatic yes. One of the greatest pulls of this album is the fact that instead of trying to implement modern production techniques the album insists on maintaining its rawness. The guitars use a regular amount of distortion whereas the drums are not over emphasised and the bass can be heard strutting its stuff when the mood needs to be enhanced. There is an overall sense that the production value has actually given the music back to its players such that the pieces resonate from within without the need for any electronic post-production effects, a great example is the track Pyre of Gods which is a magnificent showpiece for this album.
There is an aural sensation that at times the instruments and the vocals are on a par which explains why Marco gets his aggressive vocals all worked up just to ensure that the listener knows whos boss. It is refreshing to hear a band that refuses to take up the modernity arms of post production but stick to its guns of what it knows sounds true to form.
There is a definite sense of erosion between man and God and this is exemplified in the opening track I Rule. The constant harangues between the fate of man and the outside are all expressed eloquently. Whether the listener interprets this as the constant struggle between the wishes of man and his desire to live without the incessant trappings of religion no matter how great a sin he commits is a great testament to the band who yet again show their maturity in their writing.
Reviewer Chief B
Rating 8/10
