This is a band that has quite a history and now 12 years since their last release, Heaven Grey unleashes a gothic metal album that is truly a stunner. With the death of two former members it would have been easy to just hang it up but this band not only returns, they return with a vengeance and a new sound that grabs you from the opening moments of the disc and sweeps you away into a world that is shadowy and dark but still manages to allow some rays of light to shine through now and then.
This is easily one of the most atmospheric albums that I have come across. Rich and lush with a musical texture that is interwoven with many varied layers that create a very enjoyable listening experience is what Heaven Grey gives you. The harsh vocals of new comer Ervins (Verons) Francs have a kind of Rammstein feel at times but with a little more throaty delivery. They also touch on a bit of industrial metal as in the opening song "The Way Back Is Gone". For an opening tune, this one is an outstanding choice as an acoustic guitar is blended with a cello to entice before they drop the hammer! Without getting a chance to breathe the guitar duo of Vyacheslav Nikitin and Vladimir (Dr. Alien) Beluga add some terrific riffs to the mixture and a tantalizing solo to boot. Believe me when I say they will have your undivided attention at this point.
From there they drive full force into the first song that is sung in their native language of Latvian. With a lot of punch and still a keen sense of melody they deliver another winner with "Zudusī Dzīvība". This is not a drawback as they really mesmerize with the music no matter what language Francs uses. Much like the very potent and eerie dark tune "Drīz" which is also sung in Latvian there is a tendency to crank it up even when you cannot understand a word that is sung. "Prom" is another example where the melancholy melody is such a dynamic listening experience you will be trying to guess what he is singing about unless you know their language of course.
They might call this disc gothic but I find it atmospheric but also not a depressing listen by any stretch of the imagination. The lyrics might be dark and gloomy at times but like on the song "Regret" the melody is anything but sad. It is a terrific, almost bright melody that has a old time heavy metal feel to it. Much in the same vein, "Life" is a dose of heavy metal that uses operatic female vocals to off set the darker growling male vocals and give this song a majestic, medieval feel. When you add the terrific keyboard to the background you have another winner that sets this band apart from the rest of the pack.
I have enjoyed this disc immensely. It is a true gem in the rough. It will most definitely be on my best of 2010 list. Few bands can pull off this blend of music so well and I hope that we hear more from them soon.
Track listing:
1. The Way Back Is Gone
2. Zudust Dziviba
3. Following
4. Driz
5. Prom
6. Regret
7. Life
8. Upe
9. It's Time