PoisonBlack - Escapexstacy


Year of Release: 2003
Label: Century Media
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 44:27:00

Sombre, melancholic, depressing.

Perhaps a Finnish way of life or just the motivation behind the hard working Ville Laihiala from premiere doom metal band Sentenced. Either way, those three words sum up the work of PoisonBlack - from Finland - featuring not only Mr. Laihiala but also vocalist JP Leppaluoto from another Finnish doom band - Charon.

It is in fact JP who sings on this album and not Ville. But please, don't be disappointed, because he does an OUTSTANDING job (but more on that below). His smooth, sorrowful voice fits the music of Ville Laihiala perfectly. Yes, you read correctly, the music of Ville. Ville is the guitarist for PoisonBlack so as well as being a proficient vocalist, Ville also manages to work his fingers around the guitar.

With PoisonBlack you can definitely hear the influence that Ville has in Sentenced. Lyrically, yes, but also musically, because this is similar enough to tracks from the last Sentenced album (The Cold White Light). Although it has somewhat less power, it seems to have more grief-stricken impact with stronger melodies. Entrenched in the mid-paced slice of songs, PoisonBlack drown in gloomy, reticent music that is at the background to what is mostly a vocal-driven album. The heartfelt and memorable lyrics take centre-stage on this album, and who better to sing them that JP whose vocals take a different perspective than what was heard on their album Downhearted most recently. He is singing more to the style of Entwine singer Mika Tauriainen than Sentenced, but there's also a touch of Peter Steele from Type O Negative. As you can imagine, a very powerful, sorrowful performance that I almost feel sorry for him! Hah-hah.

The only downside (hah-hah) to this album is that it is extremely emotional and not an album for all seasons. That might seem like a silly thing to say, but for those listeners who are drawn to emotion and moodiness, then you are going to love this album. The doom/gothic listener really attaches themselves to their music and this album is made to be attached to. And you'll notice I haven't mentioned any song names either, because this is such a well-rounded output from PoisonBlack that every song is both consistent and a highlight in their own way.

Once again, I am surprised that all of these bands emanate from Finland - they are really the home of this style of music. And I really hope that this is not a side-project and that there will be more to come from PoisonBlack because this is an outstanding debut from two people who know how to write really good melodies and really exceptional music.

Similar To: Entwine, Sentenced, To/Die/For

[This review originally appeared March 2003 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]


Tracklisting:
The Glow Of The Flames / Love Infernal / The State / All Else Is Hollow / In Lust / The Exciter / Lay Your Heart To Rest / With Her I Die / Illusion/Delusion / The Kiss Of Death

Musicians:
J.P. Lepp?luoto - vocals
Ville Laihiala - guitars, vocals
Janne Kukkonen - bass

Discography:
Escapexstacy (2003)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin FI

Added: January 17th 2005
Reviewer: Gary Carson
Score:
Artist website: www.poisonblack.com
Hits: 1874
Language: english

  

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