TRISTANIA is a crowd of musicians creating an alluring grade of female / ethereal goth metal. Three vocalists, a bassist, a synth player, guitarist, drummer, and a partridge in a pear tree. Frankly, I'm kind of a sucker for this sort of stuff, but one can't deny the no-money-down sort of talent that's present here. Since the late 90s, TRISTANIA has had its fair share of quality discs and some lineup changes. "Ashes" is no exception on either front, as our two male vocalists Kjetil Ingebrethsen and Osten Bergoy are new to the fold.

As much as I enjoyed the disc, I couldn't help but find the whole thing to be somewhat excessive, even overpowering at times. Maybe I've just been listening to too much punk rock lately, but all this additional vocal stuff (especially the new guys) quickly reaches a point of diminishing returns. Not sure if this band really needs all these extra trappings to enhance their sound. Imagine a beautiful room with oak furniture and polished brass surrounded by the busiest wallpaper pattern imaginable. The insides of the closets are also decorated, plus there's tons of candles, clouds of incense burning, you get the idea. But don't get me wrong, while I wouldn't want to live there, the visit is purdy sweet. In fact, I visited the hell out of this disc.

Just like 2001's excellent "World of Glass", TRISTANIA's latest effort emits a pretty irresistible tractor beam a-tuggin' on your psyche. The classy arrangements, the brainy and bombastic riffs with that kind of metallic sheen of an old GATHERING or SAVATAGE record are pretty hard to ignore. Midpaced rockers like "Circus" will plant you firmly in the middle of this sheet of sonic European flypaper, squirming, but unable to get away. Pretty soon the alluring (albeit over decorated) surroundings will win you over, and you'll be glad to stay awhile.

- Marchman

OFFICIAL SITE: www.tristania.com

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