Suspiria

Quality, consistency — words that could easily characterize Napalm Records and one of its bands, the gothic-fused Darkwell. Suspiria has that same chugging, melancholic persistence of quality that always made bands like Lacuna Coil or pre-millennial Theatre of Tragedy so listenable. Hailing from Austria, the band owes much of its musical style and approach to the aforementioned Theatre of Tragedy, along with other Napalm mainstays like Tristania. Delectable female vocals, with an absence of male death vocals, make Darkwell sound so fresh yet so familiar. Alexandria's vocals are a tender mix between Tragedy's Liv Kristine and the Cranberries' alto Celtic croons. Musically, Suspiria strangely enough has hints of Septic Flesh's A Fallen Temple permeating throughout its blood, which gives it that doomy, crisp Greek crunch. There is even a mini-opera/concept found in the middle, entitled "Two Souls Creature Trilogy," not to mention a trippy Aldo Nova-ish keyboard intro to "Ladies' Choice." Throughout the entire album, there is a persistent backdrop of '80s darkwave sound, which gives the band a slightly different flavor than most. Since Alexandria's vocals refrain from operatic soprano land, they are rarely grating to the listener and provide for a fluid, enjoyable listen, which neither shocks nor surprises one's expectations for gothic doom metal. Like Mandylion era Gathering, Darkwell has an opposing propulsive gloomy energy, instead of the melancholic, sometimes lethargic, energy of most Norwegian or British doom acts. There is no definitive song on Suspiria (maybe "Realm of Darkness"); the album is to be listened to as a whole, which may strike some as negative. It would be quite banal for Darkwell to worry, however, since it affirms the band's commitment to consistency, quality, and overall listenability. Gothic metal and '80s darkwave fans rejoice!