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Green Carnation
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The Quiet Offspring
The End Records
Release: 3/22/2005
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Rated:
Review by:
Morley Seaver
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As to be expected when reviewing music, you more often
than not come across stuff that's - how shall we say - a little
lacking. That's why it's more than a tad surprising to come
across something of this quality. In fact, it's downright
shocking. This is an excellent CD!
I must confess to never having heard of Green Carnation
before, despite this being their fourth release. Apparently,
these Norwegians have been around since 1990, before
splintering off into other bands that read like a who's who of
black/death metal: Emperor, Satyricon, Carpathian Forest,
In The Woods and Trail of Tears.
The music is of the prog-metal variety, however it doesn't
dwell too far into the twiddly bits end of things where endless
synth solos trap listeners in a vortex of no return. It's also a
crunchier affair than the average Dream Theatre
output.
Spearheading the project is Tchort (aka Terje Vik Schei),
who besides playing guitar also writes a chunk of both lyrics
and music. However, most of the band writes, making it
varied but solid. The line-up also includes: Kjetil Nordhus
(vocals), Michael Krumins (guitars), Stein Roger Sordal
(bass and guitars), Kenneth Silden (keyboards), and Anders
Kobro (drums).
And the songs. Ah yes the songs. Toss your other CDs in
the drawer, kids, cuz you're not playing anything else for
quite a while. The first song is the title cut, and the chainsaw
guitars surprised me off the top. Just when they crank into
full head banging mode, the impassioned vocals of Kjetil
Nordhus swoop in for an interesting juxtaposition.
Strangely, the combination works with neither succeeding at
the expense of the other.
"Between the Gentle Small and the Standing Tall" charges
out of the gate and is the only cut to stand apart from the
rest in terms of its straight ahead approach. That is until
three quarters through when the dreamy vocal passage
slows the pace for an instant.
"Just When You Think It's Safe" is a runaway train with no
brakes, great chorus on this one. "A Place For Me" starts
humbly with a filtered piano, strings and a troubadour-style
vocal. It then morphs into a bone-crushing riff before
returning to the laid-back vocal. They go with that for a
verse or two and then hang on pilgrims; we're not done yet.
The song turns a corner and hits a passage that is so good
my teeth hurt before bowing out gracefully (the song, not
my teeth).
"The Everlasting Moment" is next, and it's one of the
highlights. This one sounds like Saga on steroids. The riff
reminds me of an army of giant cockroaches on the march.
Of course, that's just me. The chorus here is simply
sublime.
The next song, "Purple Door, Pitch Black," is a sonic
masterpiece. If Yes began in this decade, this is what they
would sound like. The verses are excellent and the chorus...
I haven't heard anything like this in quite a while. For a
person who makes a living at words, I'm almost stumped.
How else can you say excellent?
"Child's Play - Part 1" lets the ears simmer a bit with a
subdued vocal and enchanting melody. "Dead But
Dreaming" swaggers through the speakers with a snarly
vocal and an ornery guitar. Hypnotizing chorus on this
one.
"Pile of Doubt" throws down a furious pace at the onset,
shifting gears for some verses and another nice chorus
before clocking down in the fast lane again. Back and forth
this goes until it hits a couple of tasty riffs.
"When I Was You" is a tranquil dreamscape that builds into a
tour-de-force. "Child's Play - Part 2" pulls the reins in for a
gentle conclusion.
Majestic. Powerful. Regal. Exceptional. You pick the
adjective. Excellent songs, fantastic vocals, and crisp
production. With our rating system of 1-5 stars, it's an
injustice to this record, as it deserves a 10. Yes... it's that
good.
Recommended Cuts:
Purple Door, Pitch Black
The Everlasting Moment
A Place For Me
The Quiet Offspring |
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