Track Listing

1. The New Build
2. Through Smudged Lenses
3. Out of Nothing
4. The Endless Feed
5. Lost To Apathy
6. Mind Matters
7. One Thought
8. Dry Run
9. Am I 1?
10. Senses Tied
11. My Negation

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #56993 in Music
• Released on: 2005-01-25
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Dimensions: .24 pounds

Customer Reviews

A Pantheon to Genius
Dark Tranquillity has created yet another masterpiece with their latest album, _Character_. With each album, they re-define their sound; while there are many similarities, every collection of their work is highly unique from each other. _Skydancer_ was a dark, harsh album, with some songs bordering on black metal in their sounds. _The Gallery_ emphasized beauty and classical song structures, with brooding vibes of desperation and tragedy. _The Mind's I_ had shorter, more riff-based songs, yet retained much of the aforementioned qualities. On _Projector_, song after song featured clean vocals and a less aggressive nature (causing many a foolish listener to believe that Dark Tranquillity "sold out"). And their past two albums, _Haven_ and _Damage Done_ incorporated many electronic elements and monstrously deeper vocals. While _Character_ is not a great departure from these latter two albums, it shows that Dark Tranquillity is exploring every nook and cranny in their new blend of industrial/melodic/death metal - and by exploring, they are continuing their progressive nature.

The lineup on this album is the same as it's been for the past six years, with the guitar team of Martin Henriksson (formerly the band's bassist) and Niklas Sundin, bassist Michael Nicklasson, drummer Anders Jivarp, electronics guru Martin Brandström, and vocalist Mikael Stanne. The band is in top shape on _Character_, with particularly shining performances by the latter two. While Martin Brandström's contributions might be no less prominent on this as they were on _Haven_ or _Damage Done_, he has refined his sound, experimenting with much more atmospheric and unusual sounds. Mikael Stanne's vocals have returned to their higher rasp as heard on _The Mind's I_ and _Projector_ (but still deeper than they were on _The Gallery_), and just as emotional and urgent as ever. He occasionally will drop his voice to a whisper, or howl with that same terrific roar which made Dark Tranquillity's past two albums so effective.

"The Endless Feed" opens with trancelike electronic sounds, before a wall heaviness blasts in like an explosion. Mid-tempo in the verses, Niklas and Martin play a sort of lockstep rhythm as Martin Brandström , the pace picks up in the choruses, largely driven by the chugging guitar riffs. In the bridge, there is a moment of quiet as Mikael's voice (under a sort of effect) lurches out from behind the electronic pulses: "I can take what's being given/ I can down whatever comes/ I will do what you deem necessary." And framed by explosive guitar riffs, he then screams "MY FEAR COMPELS ME!"

The first single, "Lost to Apathy," features heavy usage of electronics to texture and complement the guitars. There are some lightning-fast riffs in this song, evenly balanced out by sweeping waves of melodies. Mikael also drops his voice to roar during parts of the choruses, adding to the multifaceted nature of this album.

There are also a few surprises peppered throughout the album. One such is the main rhythm which "The Endless Feed" follows - just listen to the galloping guitar riffs which charge over Anders Jivarp's propulsive drumming. Long has Dark Tranquillity been labeled "melodic death metal," largely because of the vocals, but this is the closest to death metal they have ever been, for Anders creates highly effective blast beats! This song sounds almost like it could be a re-creation of a track from _The Mind's I_.

Album closer "My Negation" is epic-themed, with a sort of desperation in Mikael's voice which evokes feelings of finality and yearning. There are some clean electric guitar leads and brilliant harmonies. Just imagine a cousin to the instrumental closer to _Damage Done_, "Ex Nihilo," but with vocals which only add to the tragic, yet beautiful, themes. This was a perfect choice of a song to end the album with.

Finally, the artwork on this album (once again designed by Niklas Sundin with his own Cabin Fever Media studios) is among Dark Tranquillity's best. It perfectly complements the music, highlighting technology's integration with life.

There are no signs of Dark Tranquillity slowing down, losing ideas, or getting tired on this album. With this album, they have really outdone themselves. By highlighting all their best qualities, they can collect a wide range of sounds, styles, and vibes and incorporate it all into good music. _Character_ is, without a doubt, Dark Tranquilllity's pantheon to their true nature: a progressive band in the finest form.

Top 10 of 2005 easily!
You don't have to be a big fan of the gothenburg scene to enjoy Dark Tranquility's Character. I feel these guys are the best the genre has to offer. In Flames has some spectacular releases (such as Whoracle, and Colony..must haves) but are sometimes a bit "poppy" for my tastes, Soilwork does absolutely nothing for me, and Opeth, despite the fact that they are incredible musicians have a tendency to excite me one moment then bore me to tears the next (I really need to be in the right mood for them). What seperates DT from these bands is the fact that they are more aggressive with their sound, they have a little more oomph to go with the Iron Maiden on meth melodies that make up the sound of this genre and I beleive that this album is a strong example of that. Like the cover art this album just has a huge sound and feel to it, very apocalyptic, but at the same time very serene. Musically these guys are awesome, the guitarwork is brilliant, the drums pound, the keyboards add atmosphere, and the vocals soar, coming together to form one hell of a complex sound that is very pleasing to the ear. My favorite song on the album is Through Smudged Lenses hands down, but I would have no problem saying that each track is just as strong as the next being that they all flow seemlessly to create this massive work that is Character. I also really enjoyed their previous release Damage Done but I feel this one has a bit more emotion and is just a notch better. I have truly not found a flaw large enough to mention on this record and I endorse it completely. If you are new to the Gothenburg sound I would suggest starting here and if you like what you hear check out Whoracle from In Flames IMO these are the two CD's that best represent the genre.

Combines the best of the old, with the best of the new...
...I know that phrase is something you'd typically see on those stickers record labels place on albums in an attempt to cover for a new album not living up to the hype, yet in the case of Dark Tranquility that statement is absolutly true. Is it possible for band to still be in their prime 15 years after they formed? A few days ago I would have said it to be impossible, but after hearing this I'm not so sure.

The heavy riffs and thundering drums are back, that becomes apparent in about 5 seconds. I'm not a big fan of keyboards in Death Metal but it's done well here. The synths are very subtle and add another dimension to the atmosphere of the record versus the loud, obnoxious drone of something like Cradle Of Filth. Mikeal Stanne gives his best performance in years as well. The annoying whispers and raspy shrieks of the Haven and Projector era are gone, and the roaring growls of Minds Eye and Gallery are back. All the songs flow seemlessly together to create the whole. The glue that binds them is a loose lyrical concept about life in the world today.

Character is an album already in my proverbial Melo-death hall of fame, from a band that secured their place there long ago. Like another reviewer said, if this isn't their best album yet then I'd have a hard time picking a better one. This is an album that raises the bar for all metal in 2005. Though it's only January, I think it's safe to say this will be the best release of 2005, or at the least, will be damn close.