Search - Crematory :: Act Seven

Evolution

Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 07/03/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"1999's Act Seven was the seventh overall release (counting the live album) from German gothic metallers Crematory. My previous exposure to Crematory's sound was through their earlier albums Just Dreaming and Transmigration, so I was expecting something a bit more evil (and a bit less danceable) than what I'm hearing on Act Seven.



By 1999 Crematory had definitely moved their sound towards a more club friendly gothic sound, and after a few spins I have to grudgingly agree that this was a good move. Some bands (Paradise Lost and Katatonia come to mind) are just more interesting the further they move from a straight death metal sound. I love the interplay between harsh, clean, and female vocals, and the tempo and heavy use of keyboards keeps things going at a fast pace. Given the choice between this kind of beat-laden gothic metal and morose whining gothic metal, I'll take this kind of album every time.



Act Seven is the work of an arguably less "metal" Crematory, but it's also the work of a more interesting Crematory.

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