DARK TRANQUILLITY - Fiction
March 15, 2007, 17 years ago
(Century Media)
Really important record for the Swedes as "Gothenburg sound" outfits begin to differentiate from one another, plus, on the strength of Character, DT are now able to headline North America (the last major outlet to conquer). This album picks up where the last one left off, but also with a slight look backwards, to the quirky modern/industrialized moments of Projector and Haven. The mere mention of those albums (which most didn't particularly care for) makes fans nervous, but the bad taste was cleansed by Character and since any resemblance on Fiction is in the minority, it bears talking about, but not dwelling on. The industrial/club mix of 'The Lesser Faith' is one such cut. Mikael Stanne utilizes some clean vocals ('Misery's Crown'), none more so than the closing duet (with female guest), 'The Mundane And The Magic'. Elsewhere, it's vintage Tranquillity, with the speedy guitar interplay of 'Empty Me', a deadly 'Blind At Heart' and the staccato 'Focus Shift'.
