TRISTANIA - World Of Glass
October 11, 2001, 23 years ago
(Napalm)
Norway's Tristania have become more oblique as the band evolves, due to line-up changes, guest slots and an expanding instrumental palette. World Of Glass (the band's third) may not garner the same affection as its predecessor Beyond The Veil did as it's a colder, slightly more industrial album, layered with a confusing but provocative and intelligent surfeit of keyboards, orchestration, choirs, violin and the usual female operatics, this time by new gal Vibeke Stene. Vocally there is much Scandinavian death, with Trail Of Tears' Ronny Thorsen adding to the show. But man, this reminds me of the concert I saw last night: Yes with a symphony. There are too many things going on at once, and the edgy, midrange-drenched sound quality of the thing masks much of it. Still, it is an undeniable work of art, technically speaking, one of those albums that could and should sink in with repeated listens.
