AVATARIUM — The Girl with the Raven Mask (review)

AVATARIUM — The Girl with the Raven Mask album cover

Album · 2015 · Doom Metal

2/5 · 2017-05-25
aglasshouse

Avatarium's second release came in the wake of their semi-breakout self-titled debut, yet in terms of construction is rather different from it's predecessor. For the most part, the massive doom metal elements are gone. Instead, Leif Edling and friends have pulled in a more progressively-oriented, space rock sound as the focal point. This is clearly recognizable in the Floyd-esque, glittery guitar work of Marcus Jidell and the rapturously synthesizer-laden keyboard of Carl Westholm. As a whole, The Girl With The Raven Mask sounds much more akin to a reinvigorated 70's hard rock album with better production qualities than what one might expect a doom metal album to sound like. On the surface this may sound very appealing, especially to someone like myself who is a loud-and-proud fan of the aforementioned, and to be fair the majority of people are drawn heavily to this album because of these elements. Though on listening for myself following my lackluster opinion of their debut album, I'm afraid that Avatarium's sophomore album has galvanized my crotchety alter-ego. Prepare to be frowned upon.

It is clear that The Girl With The Raven Mask takes heavy influence from progressive rock and metal bands of the 70's and 80's, like Dream Theater (especially), Pink Floyd, UFO, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Porcupine Tree, and many others. It's not an easy task reciprocating the brilliance of these bands, and similarly their innovations. Avatarium unfortunately fumbles in this area, the opportunity to craft a brilliant latter-day revival album falling through their outstretched fingers.

The main problem that this album has is it's structure. The album is almost completely centered around vocalist Jennie-Ann Smith, who may as well act as the mascot for this album and the band in general. By the way, when I say the album is centered around her, I mean that in the most extreme way possible. The instrumentation molds itself to her voice, and breaks from her are few-and-far-between. In fact, many of the songs on the album like 'The Master Thief' have massive portions of her lamenting over the tune of slow, leisurely rock numbers. The only problem is that her voice isn't that great. Sure, it's passable to a degree, but it doesn't have enough endearing qualities to hang on her every word like I believe the album was trying to do. When her voice is gone from the scenario, the rest of the band just sounds dull. Simplistic 4/4 drum patterns get old extremely fast, and spacey guitar noodling does similarly. Soaring climaxes permeate the album, but they just aren't dynamic at all. They just sound dry and uninspired. The only song I believe is ostentatious enough for me to find enjoyment is on 'Run Killer Run', a satisfying, crunching tune where the band is seemingly free from the shackles of predetermination, especially drummer Lars Sköld who, originally was mediocre at best, brings in perhaps his best performance in the band's history. Also it's got a pretty sweet hook, in simple terms.

For the sake of treading the same ground over and over again, I'll just wrap up now. Avatarium started out as a group with some potential, but mishandled in it perhaps not the most disastrous way, but a way that is nonetheless unenjoyable in it's delivery. Not all hope is lost, though. Some good qualities still remain and Avatarium still has a chance to turn my frown upside-down.

more than 2 years ago
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aglasshouse wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I will make myself as clear as I can: I say in the review the "massive doom metal elements are gone". This is meant simply that it is no longer the sole element that makes up this album. It is still there quite prominently, but just isn't as big as the prog elements. If there was a prominence hierarchy though, the prog wouldn't be too far above the doom. Also, I'm not sure why "reinvigorated 70's hard rock" is seen as a degrading of the albums heaviness. Look at Golden Earring, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath. Those bands even today are heavy as hell. With cleaner and modern production these bands may sound even heavier. Avatarium, to me, sounds like a product of what such a thing would sound like. To me though it's just not quite the same as doom metal akin to Electric Wizard, Candlemass, etc. That's all.

aglasshouse wrote:

more than 2 years ago

There are many other albums/artists I consider to be different genres than the ones they're listed under on this site. I just don't confront them because that's counterintuitive to this site's development.

I'm not going to change my opinion just because it goes against the majority. I think that this album, which I was listening to quite literally while I was writing this review, is much less doom metal than Avatarium's debut. Not to say doom metal isn't an important element to it, I just didn't hear it as much as I heard the progressive rock influence. Therefore I stated it as such accordingly in my review. If I'm the only one who thinks so, so be it. I'll stick by my observations.

MorniumGoatahl wrote:

more than 2 years ago

* in your opinion

MorniumGoatahl wrote:

more than 2 years ago

That's your view and I can respect you sticking to your guns about it, but here's a thought for you: does it not tell you something that you seem to be the only one not hearing the doom metal? or at least most of it since you didn't actually say there was no doom here. Does it not make you wonder if you don't know as much about what makes an album doom metal than you think you do? Or are you that sure if your opinion that it's not doom that you're prepared to go on the record and say that the rest of the world is wrong about what this album is? You will note that this site that you say you collaborate on has the album filed as doom metal and not hard rock like Hurricanes and Halos.

aglasshouse wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Also, what a scene this review caused. I'd like to thank our new members for joining the site and commenting on my review, as I write to instill emotions in my readers and I'm very flattered it instilled some in you. However I would like to assuage criticisms of my ignorance of doom metal, as I am familiar with it. Aside from it being one of my favorite metal mediums, I also work as a member of the doom metal collaborator team on this site. I am sorry, but it's because of my personal observations that I heard less doom metal than you, and not because of my ignorance.

As for the banning subject, I wish to not be biased as these criticisms were directed plainly at me, but I do encourage conversation on this site. I think we all do. But it was noted by the admins that Ghostlight's insults were disproportionate to his constructiveness, thus making him not following site rules. If you believe that such rules are uninviting, there are a plethora of other sites you can use instead.

Warthur wrote:

more than 2 years ago

In the spirit of getting the discussion back onto the actual album: I like Jennie-Ann's vocals, though that I can set aside as a matter of taste. Where I have to part ways with you, aglasshouse, is the idea that the album has abandoned doom metal as a result of the extensive influence from 1970s progressive rock.

Remember, back in the 1970s the barrier between proto-metal (especially proto-doom) and prog was remarkably thin, to the point where Black Sabbath's first albums came out on Vertigo, a progressive rock label, and were marketed as such. To my ears, Avatarium seem to be playing on that overlap, much as other groups from Blood Ceremony to Electric Wizard have in various different ways. To my ears, at least, the album is still on the doom metal side of the doom metal/heavy psych/hard rock borderlands, but I admit that it's a bit of a fuzzy border, and from the reviews it sounds like Hurricanes and Halos has passed across it.

Bosh66 wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Thanks for the feedback. And that's partly why we have the comments section of course; for metal and hard rock fans to agree, disagree and to state their own opinions. We're not looking for harmony. Debate is great.We just ask contributors whoever they are to show each other respect and common courtesy, which is why the friendly warning was given.
Whether you think the writer (who certainly does have knowledge and understanding of doom metal) has missed the point or actually has a valid one, is for you to debate. This is not the only review of this album, and as I have mentioned previously, we encourage members to submit their own reviews too. We then get a rounded picture from fans who love and loathe the album in question.

MorniumGoatahl wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I may have been harsh when I said it was deliberately misleading, so I apologise for that, but my opinion about it being misleading stands, if for no other reason that this review appears to be rating the album as something it's not, rather than what it is. I would understand more where the author was coming from if this was posted for the new album because it's a very different sounding release even compared to this, but this one is still more like the self-titled debut than Hurricanes and Halos.

MorniumGoatahl wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I wasn't going to comment again but whatever, let me just add this:

I don't give a damn if the author or anyone else disliked the album. I know that there is such a thing as different tastes.

However I also believe that if you're going to write a review then you should also know your stuff about the genre of the album, which is clearly still mostly doom metal. The review could be a literacy masterpiece but it would still be hard to take seriously when it's difficult to recognise the album being described within it.

Vim Fuego wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I've listened to this. I don't want to listen to it again.

Unitron wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I think it's a bit unfair to say a review is deliberately misleading, writers on this site take a lot of time getting a well-written review out. Everyone will hear different things in music, and just because aglasshouse hears a Dream Theater influence in this album while you don't, it doesn't make either of you wrong.

666sharon666 wrote:

more than 2 years ago

@MorniumGoatahl,

Your opinion is noted, however Ghostlight appears to have signed up for no other reason than be rude, which is considered trolling. So of course he was warned that such behaviour wasn't going to be tolerated here. Perhaps you're used to sites where such things are so commonplace that they're permitted to slide, but we rather like our good-natured ambience here on MMA.

Healthy debate and criticism is of course fine, but deliberately trying to get a response out the reviewer by insulting them, which I firmly believe was Ghostlight's intention, is not.

MorniumGoatahl wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I actually think Ghostlight has a point. I know the record in question and find several of the references in other bands used in this review puzzling, especially Dream Theater (who were highlighted as a major influence), which this album is a far cry from.

If I did not already know the album (which is about 4 stars for me) and checked it out based on this review I'd feel like I'd got somehow the wrong record. But since I do know the album this review reads as deliberatly misleading.

While Ghostlight's mannerism leaves something to be desired, I also find the threats of a ban to be overkill since they started after just one post and they are neither the first nor will be the last to post something sarcastic on the internet. Congratulations on making your website appear completely uninviting.

There, I've said my piece. That is all. Farewell.

aglasshouse wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I'm very interested to hear your thoughts on the album yourself, Mr. Ghostlight. I really hope you didn't create your account just to spite me and then leave, because that'd be pretty disappointing.

Bosh66 wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Hi Ghostlight, welcome to the site. We value different opinions here and it's good to see you engaging. Why not put those opinions of yours to good use and write your own view of the album? It can be long or short, and you can wax lyrical or otherwise. I don't mind how you review - opinions are valued here. What isn't is deliberate rudeness and trolling. It's a sure-fire way to get yourself banned. Which would be a shame. Take a deep breath and start again. We don't give too many strikes here.

TheHeavyMetalCat wrote:

more than 2 years ago

The only shitstorm starting going on here is originating from you.

But no, I'm not going to deny that this is a doom metal album. It's not a pure doom metal album either though! I'll repeat, aglasshouse is just as entitled to his opinion as you.

Also 666sharon666 is a site admin so I recommend paying attention to her when she gives you a push to change your tone.

Ghostlight wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Unless you're all going to deny that this is a doom metal album and insist it's a 70's hard rock knock-off don't fault me for speaking the truth, which is a lot more than this review does. Anyone who's heard it will know that the album sounds nothing like this review describes. And I don't know how anyone can objectively say Jennie-Ann doesn't have a great voice (even if they dislike her singing style).

Moreover, posting this exactly at the time their new album was released when interest in the band is at its peak? Nice try, but I call shitstorm starting.

666sharon666 wrote:

more than 2 years ago

@Ghostlight

You appear to have signed up for the sole reason of posting your disrespectful comment. I'm here to tell you, if you have intention of staying, that posting such things are a sure way to fast-track yourself to a ban.

TheHeavyMetalCat wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I don't agree with this review either (and if you care to look on the site forum, neither do most of the site's collaborators as this voted as third best album of 2015) but I think your hostility is uncalled for. aglasshouse is just as entitled to his opinion as you. It's also a well written review.

Unitron wrote:

more than 2 years ago

LOL

Your comment marks just about every checkbox for making a butthurt comment

>Sarcastic insult to the reviewer
>Accuse the reviewer of not listening to the album
>Accuse the reviewer of being ignorant of the genre
>Tell the reviewer to stop reviewing

Because we should all have the same fucking opinions, right?

Ghostlight wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Jennie-Ann's voice only 'passable to a degree'?

Well, we know who tone deaf reviewer of the year award goes to now don't we?

It doesn't sound like you've even listened to this album. Or you have and you just don't your shit about doom metal. Kindly stop reviewing music in either case.