Year: 2022
Total Time: 48:28
Label: Napalm Records
Three decades of music for the goth metallers CREMATORY, a band that has released during its long discography few wonderful albums such as “Transmigration”, “Illusions”, “Awake” and “Act Seven”. And, despite the fact that the Germans are hyper-productive, always releasing one album after another in a short period of time, they haven’t produced according to my opinion an album in recent years that reminds us of something from their memorable past. The last album that clicked for me was 2010’s “Infinity”.
“Inglorious Darkness” is based on the tried and tested recipe that “marries” gothic metal, industrial and melodic death. The biggest change we notice comes as a consequence of the departure of guitarist and responsible for the band’s melodic vocals Connie Andreszka. On the vocals it is noticeable that CREMATORY now primarily rely on the growl parts done by Felix. Personally, since I have identified myself with the beloved – and successful – period 1999 – 2010, I miss the melodic lines a lot and CREMATORY loses by not using them. Meanwhile, on their new album they sing in English and German, something they haven’t done since “Monument”, which admittedly suits them very well. Felix’s performance on the German-language tracks is convincing and adds a nice element of diversity to the Germans’ sound.
After listening to “Inglorious Darkness” several times, I need to admit that I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, excellent tracks like “Break Down The Walls”, “Trümmerwelten”, “Not For The Innocent”, a sign that the band still offers great inspiration and creativity, on the other hand it is inevitable to mention some mediocre moments as well (which unfortunately are many). “The Sound Of My Life”, “Rest In Peace”, “Until We Meet Again”, “Forsaken”, are examples of a basic approach without much interest, with the choruses lacking on uplifting the tracks. Moreover, the attempt to render the much-loved “Tears Of Time” in German, 27 years after the original version, makes me putting some question marks on the intention of it.
In conclusion, CREMATORY’s new album does not make a difference. It is a good album, but that’s about it, nothing surprising. It is difficult to excite and keep the interest for many listens. “Inglorious Darkness”, with few exceptions, maintains in my opinion the mediocre state in which the band has been in for the last decade. A “click” better than the disappointing “Unbroken” of 2020, with the bar being lowered in general quite much.
Rating: 6/10
Editor: Kostas Kafritsas
Related Link: CREMATORY – Facebook Page
