Madder Mortem- DEADLANDS

the nice people of Century Media managed to send us a copy of Deadlands to review, and it is my personal pleasure to do so for an album that is so GREAT! OK, I have said it! this album is a major change in this band's way , and I have to say that I am VERY HAPPY with the outcome.
Deadlands is a crossroad for Madder mortem, and they have chosen the right path. less goth and more powerful, heavy and mean> The voice of Agnete Kirkevaag does not need to be described again- she is outr there with teh best female voices in metal, and i have to say that the more powerful sound of DEADLANDS suits her well. the band proves that they are not only good at their atmospheric metal, but at ANY type of metal.
What can i say?I was personaly blown away by this album!!

After a strange intro, that made me think that the Cd player went bonkers, NECROPOL LIT hits the ears in the most pleasant manner possible.The strong voice of Agnete combines well with aggressive guitar riffs that are by no means less melodic, and to top it all, syhe gives us a discourse that just goes stronger and stronger and STRONGER!Definitely, Necropol Lit is the best song on the album, with the strong beat and obsessive line.

Omnivore is a little more atmospheric, and Agnete's voice is taking off like a bird, while the beat is tamed down and the result gives the listener goosebumps.

Rust Cleansing starts in a very mellodic manner,with a flowing guitar doubled by a sarcastic drum beat, that only gets stronger, with a very atmospheric voice linevery much remembering All flesh Is Grass, but the beat is stronger.A song calling to introspection, with a very interesting chorus, very long song-7 minutes and none of it boring.

Faceless has a very autoironic line that goes well with the moaning guitars, in a liric crescendo.but don"t let the slow pace fool you, as at some point the two guitarists decide to take it fast with aggressive heavy riffs, that stop as unexpected as they started, in a well managed depressive effect.

Distance will Save Us will definitely catch attention, atmospheric yet heavy, mid tempo with great guitar lines. Agnete has here a lower tone that will be repaid at the chorus with the usual atmospheric feel

Silverspine proves itself to be another highlight of this album,and the inspired drumming on it are well combined with the very modern arrangements.Another long one- over 8 minutes, but it's worth it

Jigsaw it's just OBSESSIVE!!balladic with screams, heavy bass lines and rhythm breaks, all in all ending in a chorus frenzy

Deadlans is a little calmer, or should I say it extremely dark??a little sci fi sounding, whispers and acoustic riffs....makes ya think.............

Resonatine is ending the album in a simple rhythm with a whispered vocal line, accentuated by the slow whispered lyrics........... until it gets mad and powerful; with a death metal riff.......great song!

all in all, an album TO BE LISTENED AGAIN AND AGAIN

overall, a 9/10 on my scale

Simona, October 20tyh, 2002