Dark Tranquillity - Exposures - In Retrospect And Denial
2004 - LC6975 - Century Media Records
By Philip Whitehouse
It's strange that
Dark Tranquillity never seem to have risen to the highest echelons of the Gothenburg melodic death metal scene that they were instrumental in shaping - 1993's
Skydancer arguably laid down the template that the likes of
In Flames and
Soilwork have been working from since, yet
DT don't command the sort of glowing critical acclaim or sales figures that the younger acts have been commanding. However, what they have managed to reap is the respect gained from never straying too far from their own unique vision, and this retrospective release is, on paper at least, a perfect way to show just how focussed that vision has been.
I do stress that this is only perfect 'on paper', because sadly, as a retrospective this release is limited somewhat by it's tendency to focus on the Century Media period of Dark Tranqullity's existence, eschewing tracks from the Spinefarm and Osmose days. However, the inclusion of rare, unreleased tracks from the
Damage Done,
Haven and
Projector sessions is still a gratifyingly tempting proposition, made sweeter by the further inclusion of the complete
A Moonclad Reflection EP and the
Trail Of Life Decayed demo, both remastered from the original tapes and presented in all their glory. Throw into the mix a second disc containing the audio section of the recent
Live Damage DVD, and this shapes up to be a disc no self-respecting
DT fan can be without.
The unreleased songs stand up perfectly well against the album material - 'The Poison Well' in particular sounding as strong as anything from
Damage Done - and they all showcase that typical
DT sound - the growling, feral vocals, the hook-laden riffage with that ripping tone, the tight methodical drumming, the gothic/romantic atmospheres evident in the lyrics and wonderful keyboard accompaniments... it's all here, and it's all of top-notch quality.
Basically, this is an essential release for any
Dark Tranquillity fan, and something that no fan of the NWOSDM should be without.
9.5/10
Dark Tranquillity Official Website
Century Media Records Website
