Metal Reviews

Someone is playing games.

So Morten Veland leaves Tristania and forms Sirenia. They release two albums and an EP that is very much like early Tristania; while Tristania goes a bit more into the goth-pop realm. Early next year will see the release of Sirenia's and Tristania's new albums, Nine Destinies And A Downfall and Illumination, respectively.

Now, I have the promos for each album, and here's the problem: Sirenia has released the poppier, mellower album!

There is nary a heavy moment on the entire Sirenia album! Gone are the male vocals except for on two songs; and even then it's not prominent, usually left for 10 or 15 second of a bridge or breakdown.

Tristania has the heavier album this time around—and heavier than Ashes. They now remind me of Sin Pecado-era Moonspell with an added female vocalist. But Sirenia baffles me now. Didn't Veland leave because of the direction Tristania were going? Nine Destinies takes the style of Tristania's Ashes and throws it in the blender with Lullacry.

With that said; both albums are very, very good. Just shitcan your expectations for the Sirenia album.

True that about Sirenia. I was throwing curses the first time the album ended. How the fuck could Veland sing harsh vocals on only 2 songs (Sundown and Seven Keys And Nine Doors...great songs btw). That new chick has stolen all the spotlights and i bet it's because of her the album sounds so poppy. I quickly changed my mind, though i longed for a song or two in the vein of Meridian or Sister Nightfall.


I'll be checking that Tristania album asap.

I don't know if I'd blame this new chick. Veland writes the material. He chose to not sing. He's the only one to blame. The new chick has a great voice, though. I still like the album; it's just much closer to the Flowing Tears style now.

The new Tristania album starts of with "Mercyside," and this song is old school! That's the only one, though. The rest are similar to the Ashes style, but heavier and just better overall.

Listening to Sirenia now, its not bad but its a total change I agree. This chick's voice isn't even great, it doesn't have the angelic quality Henriette had. Sirenia was a figurehead for the Gothic Metal genre because of Veland's demonic growls and Henriette's angelic vocals. :(

They sound like a symphonic metal band now, which really is a disapointment. There's barely any growls, and even the choiral arangements that were so predominant in the previous two albums seem like they only are in each song once or twice.

Tis a sad day for Gothic Metal.

Sounds awesome, can't wait. Release dates please.

I am not worried what direction Sirenia takes, Veland is talented and can make good music.

You know what, I don't like World of Glass, but I loved Ashes.

If you remember "At sixes and sevens" was def different sounding then Elixer for exsistance.

Nothing can touch Beyond the Veil and Widow Weeds though.

Thanks for the news, two of my fave bands.

You know Ken, Veland didn't sing that much on Elixer either, mostly clean vocals from that other dude and also he only did some growls, but he plays every instrument. Also every song on Elixer was half female vocals that were excellant. Is it the same chick? Anyways, I am pumped for these two albums big time.

Britney Spears makes more agressive music then Morten right now. I just think the guy just plans to live a little better, plenty of teenagers with Evanescence and HIM tshirts will buy this album.

As for Tristania, Mercyside is the best gothic song I've heard in years. There are a few strong ones beside it, but half of the album is too mellow and too uninspired. If all songs would have been in the vein of Mercyside and Sanguine Sky, it would have been a strong contendent for album of the year. As it is, it's only decent.

I will have to hear it, but who cares if HIM fans like it as long as it is good. I have 4 HIM albums myself and I am 37 fucking years old.....lol.....and no they are not my daughters, they are mine.

You're right, I just wanted to accentuate what I think about this album, and that is that it was basicaly made for money. Not because it's soft, but because it doesn't seem very good, and it seems very artificial to me, in a commercial sense. Or at least it did, the first and only time I listened to it. I just could't bring myself to listen to it again, I'll see if I'll change my mind when I'll eventually relisten to it. Although I doubt it.

I think you're overshooting a bit. The new Sirenia is more like Tristania's Ashes. Not super-heavy, but this will not go anywhere near mainstream.

And leee, this is a new singer. Check her out: http://www.myspace.com/officialsireniaspace

New Sirenia video:

MY MIND'S EYE

Tristania really need to work hard to get me back on board after that Ashes fiasco.

Wow, they really did change their sound a lot but I dig it, the new vocalist is awesome. I will totally love this album.

Ashes is great especially after World of Glass

The new Sirenia is definitely a good album; just different. And I liked Ashes, too. I waited for like two years before I bought it because I heard some much negative bullshit about it. It's a damn good album, though.

Just picked up the new Tristania yesterday, it is excellant. Clean vocals (male) are great on this album.

Same here, Ashes is much better then what I expected after hearing all the negative comments. As for Tristania's new release it's even better. Great stuff.

Just saw this thread... The new Sirenia is perhaps solid for what it is. What it is, however, is a completely bland and mediocre pop rock album with the same song repeated 8 1/2 times. It might be a solid album (for what it is) if there was even a hint of variety to it, but there's not, and I can't really see any justification for anyone saying it's actually "good". And I don't like the vocals from the new singer, but it's not like the songwriting gives her much of a chance to shine.

Either way, it's not my thing at all, and I have to concur with Eyesore in that one of my first thoughts was that Tristania and Sirenia must have released the other's album. Not that I think Tristania's effort is a return to old form or anything, but it's at least interesting. I'd probably like it a lot more than I do if I didn't find a lot of the vocal lines to be strangely off-putting somehow.

-Tyrion

Wow, just grabbed the Sirenia, totally digging it. I don't think it is that huge of change plus I like the less operatic fem vocals and more mainstream and Veland sounds great as always. I'm sure a lot will be dissapointed if you hate any hint of commercilism but I love it. Perfect Goth/rock/metal album IMO.

The new Tristania is totally awesome. I digs it heaps I do.

I like the new Tristanie much more then the new Sirenia. But Trail of Tears with Existentia beats them both IMO!