Dark Symphonies continue to release high quality dark and gothic metal records. I admit I have found some of their artists not totally suitable for me, but nevertheless, the label knows the quality stuff. Another great band from U.S.A., Rain Fell Within, got their first full length album out at the end of March. I've never heard their earlier mini albums, but this is good stuff.

Rain Fell Within's music is gothic metal with female vocals. Tired of it already? Well, I've tired of the albums with more inferior quality. 'Refuge' shows, that the album in this genre can be something original, after all these many years. The first two songs stroke me immediately, but the rest of the album was much more difficult to get into. After five spins or so this album is getting under my skin. A sign of a good album, in my opinion. 'Refuge' is full of varying material, from long epic doomy songs to more "rock" ones and calm atmospheres.

The lead vocals are sung by Dawn, whose angelic operatic voice is soothing, even though the lyrics certainly aren't, at least on the couple of the earlier songs. Subjects are loss of love, feeling lost and other human pain, but later some different stories, such as sirens. At the first, some of the lyrics felt a bit inept, but they are just very straight. Laurie performs vocals on the closing song and she's no worse a singer. Four guys perform the instruments. I must say, that they really deserve applause. The songs are individual and truly different from the usual form. Compositions are long (sometimes a bit shorter would sound better) and this needs concentration. Biggest gripe is the production. Snare drum is weak, but rhythms are odd (good!) in metal genre. Guitars are a bit subdued, which is sad since they could be really powerful and thick. Nothing too bad, though...

'In My Dreams' sounds a bit like Kitaro, but otherwise I recommend this for the fans of Morgion, My Dying Bride, Anathema, The Gathering, Mindrot (R.I.P.) and such acts. Nice.

Rating: 6½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
04/07/2002 16:25