TRIBULATION — The Children of the Night (review)

TRIBULATION — The Children of the Night album cover Album · 2015 · Gothic Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4.5/5 ·
Nightfly
Q: When is a death metal album not a death metal album? A: When it’s Tribulation’s “The Children Of The Night”.

“The Children Of The Night” is the third album from Swedish act Tribulation. It’s been kicking around for quite a few months and I’m only just discovering its wonders late in the year. Getting back to my opening question, it would be too simple and perhaps an injustice to lazily call this a death metal album. Sure, there are elements, but interestingly no blastbeats, but the raspy vocals are as much black metal for starters to my ears. There are black metal touches in the music and gothic too but it also has a traditional 80’s metal vibe. Let’s throw in some prog touches too.

Where this album really shines is in the songwriting department. The music’s not particularly flashy but the melodies are stunning, some of the best I’ve heard all year. While it doesn’t sound like it, I’m reminded of “At War With Reality”, last year’s startling album from fellow Swedes At The Gates. What it shares with that is a strong melancholic vibe to the melodies that lifts it well above the average. This is down to the guitar duo of Jonathan Hulten and Adam Zaars. These guys are such tasteful players and every speed obsessed novice guitarist should be made to sit down and listen to this to see what really makes a great player including some incredible solos. They complement each other perfectly as they expertly weave their parts together. Adding to the overall gothic feel is the use of organ and piano which works very effectively. The compositions also benefit greatly from plenty of light and shade against the heavier riffing.

“The Children Of The Night” is a very mature piece of work and deserves a listen from anyone with even a passing interest in metal as it has a lot to offer to even those who usually steer clear of the more extreme forms of the genre. Approaching the end of 2015 and thinking about the best albums of a great year in metal this is going to be up there in my top 10 for sure.
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