Artist: Dark Tranquillity Album: We Are the Void

Year: 2010
Duration: 0:0-1

A Critical Review of the Album: We Are the Void by Dark Tranquillity

Dark Tranquillity, the Swedish melodic death metal band formed in 1989, have been legendary in their genre for over 30 years. They have produced twelve studio albums, and each album has had its own unique flavor. Their music has inspired many other bands in the melodic death metal genre. We Are the Void, their ninth studio album, was released in early 2010 and marked a departure from their earlier sound. In this blog post, we will take a critical review of this iconic album, with a brief history of the artist, and a discussion on the music genre of the album.

Dark Tranquillity has always been known for their dark and melodic sound. Their unique mix of death metal and melodic elements has made them pioneers in this genre. We Are the Void was released three years after their previous album, Fiction, and the album marks a shift towards a more experimental and diverse sound. The band takes us on a journey, exploring their metal roots, while still being able to experiment with electronic and ambient sounds seamlessly.

The album kicks off with Shadow in Our Blood, a fast-paced track that sets the tone for the rest of the album. The second track, Dream Oblivion, takes a turn to a more atmospheric sound, with the introduction of ambient elements. The Fatalist and In My Absence are other standout tracks that showcase the diversity of the album. The album also features prominent guitar solos from the band's guitarists.

One of the innovative parts of the album is the production. Erik Rutan, the renowned death metal musician/producer, who has worked with Morbid Angel, Hate Eternal, and Cannibal Corpse, produced the album. Rutan's unique production style enabled the band to experiment with different sounds and textures, and allowed the album to sound more polished and cohesive.

While We Are the Void is a good album, it's not without its faults. The album has a few songs that don't live up to the anticipation that the first few songs create. The final track, Iridium, fails to impress, and feels like an afterthought. Although the album is innovative and takes risks, it's nothing groundbreaking, and it may disappoint some fans of the band's earlier sound.

Overall, We Are the Void is a mixed bag of innovative experimentation and noticeable flaws. The album is proof of Dark Tranquillity's growth as a band, but it also shows their inability to take a risk that pays off completely. It's still an admirable effort, as the band continues to push the boundaries of the melodic death metal genre. For fans of the band, We Are the Void is an exciting and engaging listen, but for newcomers, it may not be the best introduction to the band's discography.