Dark Tranquillity – “Character”
The message is clear from the very first moment: “The New Build” opens the proceedings with blasting (yes, blasting) and thrashing like a bunch of young guys eager to create a powerful album like “The Gallery”. The guitars are less down-tuned, in my opinion, than “Damage Done”. The result is a crisp, sharper, thrashier feel that will have “The Gallery” fans smiling like fools. Overall, Dark Tranquillity has gone for a thrashy affair that keeps the electronics way in the background, which results in a more energetic mood, but still with the catchiness the band is known for. After some five spins the album begins to get even better than the initial feeling of relief that things are as they should be. That’s right, not all the boys from Sweden have been listening to Linkin Park! Dark Tranquillity–interestingly enough!–has been listening to. Dark Tranquillity. Sometimes “stubbornness” is a good thing.