Lollipop Magazine

Sirenia – Nine Destinies of a Downfall – Review

March 18, 2007

Former members of Tristania, The Sins Of Thy Beloved, Trail of Tears: Quality Goth metal. Plenty of glorious orchestration, layered siren calls, and metal chug.

Die Verbannten Kinder Evas – Dusk and Void Become Alive – Review

March 9, 2007

A combination of classical, Gothic, and darkwave, flawlessly constructed with piano, keyboards, and strings. An air of sorrow and melancholy flows through.

Vintersorg – Solens Rotter – Review

March 1, 2007

Vintersorg’s Andreas Hedlund offers vocal duties to Borknagar. His warm, passionate, folky vocals add depth to any band he’s in, and Vintersorg is his band.

TYR – Ragnarok – Review

November 20, 2006

The one and only Faroese folk metal band. Some English singing, some in their native tongue, summoning ghosts of ancestors, epic battles, love of land and lore.

Lacrimas Profundere – Filthy Notes for Frozen Hearts – Review

November 17, 2006

Not as mopey as what most’d consider “Goth rock,” and not as over-simplified as HIM, not as ass-tearing as Moonspell, not as sultry as Type O Negative.

Kampfar – Kvass – Review

November 3, 2006

Nordic metal roots with a heavy dose of hard rockin’ sludge, comparable to Entombed. A hip-shaking swagger balances the dark melodies and screeched vocals.

Naio Ssaion – Out Loud – Review

August 18, 2006

Like Evanescence and Lacuna Coil, but heavier on the metal and lighter on the annoying guy vocals (rapping in Evanescence, constipated roar of Lacuna Coil).

Hurtlocker – Fear in a Handful of Dust – Review

August 18, 2006

From Chicago, produced in MA by the dude who did Hatebreed. A chugging monster permeated with hardcore roar. Some breakdowns, plenty of thrashing riffs.

Korpiklaani – Tales Along This Road – Review

May 26, 2006

This oompa metal classic takes the keg. I dare you to play “Happy Little Boozer” and not play it again. The refrain is hollered by Vikings until all are happy.

Beseech – Sunless Days – Review

April 7, 2006

Top-notch sobbing male vocals matched by strong anthemic female vocals belted out like Lullacry, Heart, and Drain STH. The guitars chug hard but melodically.