Grayscale - When The Ghosts Are Gone


Year of Release: 2002
Label: Sound Riot
Catalog Number: SRP016
Format: CD
Total Time: 37:32:00

In my never-ending desire in becoming more and more open-minded to all the different genres and subgenres of our more than prolific metal world, I recently started to discover gothic metal. Already aware of some major names like Entwine, Anathema and Amorphis, I thought it would be interesting for me to review a new band in this style, so I wouldn't be too much biased.

Grayscale's music seems to follow the usual pattern of this kind of metal. Melancholic atmosphere mixed with slow to mid-tempo guitar riffs and melodic male vocals that keep reminding you how much life is sad, painful and difficult. Think of a Crimson-era Sentenced, and you get a fine portrait of Grayscale. Listening to their music allows you to have a sense of the Nordic country they come from - snowed and frosted landscapes, shadowed skies and cold temperatures. The main issue I have with the band is that they are where many have been before. In my opinion, if they want to be recognised for their work, they will have to find an identity that will be their own. Musical influences and background are a good thing, when kept at a basic level in a band's music. However, I believe that Grayscale would benefit a lot from taking a few steps back and finding their own sense of individuality as a band. This way, their music would probably reach its listeners in a more personal way.

If you're sad, lonely and nostalgic, Grayscale's music will suit your needs, perfectly.

Similar bands: Entwine, To Die For, Anathema

[This review originally appeared January 2003 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]
Tracklisting:
The World Today / A Dead Season / Gray Singer / Squeeze / The Fire Inside Me / Absent / Shape In The Shadows / Cast Aside / When The Ghosts Are Gone

Musicians:
Miika Partonen - guitars, vocals
Lasse Harma - vocals
Matti Reinola - bass
Janne Jukarainen - drums
Hämy Hämäläinen- guitars
Jenni Hytönen - keyboards

Discography:
The First Lament (promo ep) (2000)
When The Ghosts Are Gone (2002)
Interior World (promo ep) (2004)

Genre: Other

Origin FI

Added: December 18th 2004
Reviewer: Mathieu Chamberland
Score:
Artist website:
Hits: 2206
Language: english

  

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