 |
 Шестой альбом шведских прогрессив пауэрщиков получился менее интересным, чем предыдущее гениальное творение «Undead». И хотя здесь и присутствует парочка интересных композиций и моментов, но всё же при прослушивании диска можно подумать, что музыканты решили сделать все по старой схеме, только на этот раз не очень напрягаясь. Записан диск великолепно, и отличается достаточно серьёзным и брутальным саундом, напоминающим иногда Primal Fear и Lefay, но в целом, звук оригинален и характерен для рассматриваемой группы. Вокал отлично смотрится и даже в тех композициях, где Урбану помогает Чарльз Ритконен из Лефей – Урбан не роняет головы и справляется с достоинством со своей нелёгкой работой. Музыкальный материал, как и прежде, отличается особой дозой депрессивности и мрака, что, конечно, каждый должен расценивать со своей позиции. Тексты тоже не менее темны и как всегда, наполнены чернотой по самое никуда. Мелодическая сторона пластинки, как я уже упоминал, несколько сдаёт по сравнению с предыдущей работой, но и здесь, определённо можно найти парочку шедевров. Хотелось бы отметить открывающую помпезную вещицу «Sword Of Retribution», следующую за ней заглавную композицию «Matters Of The Dark», с жёсткими риффами и энергичным ритмом, в ней также поучаствовал Ритконен, добавив ещё чуть-чуть злости в общий настрой. Также не хотелось бы обойти стороной совершенно Пристовский номер «Another Way», и такой же скоростной шедевр «I Know You Name». В качестве бонусов в конце альбома помещены каверы на Accept «Losing More Than You Ever Had» и Abba «Knowing Me, Knowing You», выполненные в присущем Тэду Морозу прогрессив пауэр металлическом стиле, с характерными для него чертами в виде мощных хоров в припевах и надрывного пения вокалиста. Должен сказать, что каверы смотрятся достаточно средне по сравнению с другими группами, участвовавшими в альбомах-трибьютах, выпущенных благодаря компании Nuclear Blast. В целом, альбом «Matters Of The Dark» сильный, хотя не идеален, как не идеален наш мир. Думаю, пауэрщики и фэны банды не будут разочарованы. |
 |
So turn and run
Your absolution's down the barrel of my gun
Into a brave new world
Sail away, sail on
and 'til we've saved the world
So far away
we'll be sailing the nightskies
Retribution
Take your sword
Brace for impact
Hold this course we're in for more
Fire lances
Satan at the door
Litany, machinery
Cut my soul away
2. Matters Of The Dark
It is a cycle of destruction
Rarely in control
A time for termination
and the filth that fill your soul
A menacing society
Like a meeting with your mind
Make us all your slaves tomorrow
Would you be so kind
Matters of the dark
Your flesh and your soul will burn
Is there nothing I can say
To matters of the dark you turn
No you can't walk away
Call out to your father
Or those that lived before
Then ask them how to leave me
Just how to shut the door
Then watch as I deliver
Uh, a stunning sight indeed
Yes all your bloodstained souls are mine
There's nothing else I need
3. Ethereal Soul
Do believe her
She's telling you to go, go
Don't just stand there
Your life's on the line and
When you leave here
Your body's screaming no, no
Just go on don't look over your shoulder
What's her secret
Just can't tell can you
She's the seer
The voice of what's coming
Who's the maker
Just don't know do you
Someone called her the bringer of reason
I do not know at all
but I do know this
I believe in my ethereal soul
singing as one
Flesh and spirit alike
Why I meet her
I tell you I don't know, know
Make your stand here
Your life's on the line and
If you leave here
You'd better take it slow, slow
Turn your back
and at last you will know her
4. I Know Your Name
So much higher and in too deep
Make believe is what I believe in
I stalk you now, but what if I leave
Don't ask me to carry you further
You don't mind, do you
if I watch you sleep?
You know, your secrets
are all safe with me
Temptation and to you I creep
What I leave will carry you further
I know you
I know your name
Before we start this game
Just one more thing to say
Control makes all the same
I know your name
You don't know do you?
I know who you are
It's such a thin, thin line
That keeps us apart
As I near you I know what to do
No more secrets
and no more delusions
5. In The Shadows
For the fathers of wisdom are lost
And the magic of freedom is gone
Can a time that you spend on your own
Heal the heart and the mind set in stone
With the sign of the cross over me
Let the magic I need always be
When they say that the one must be three
Can a knight and a cross set you free
And once you have crossed over
Forever you will stay
In the shadows
Let the magic always be
In the shadows
Crossing over, over
In the shadows
One touch will set you free
If you need me
I'm standing in the shadows
Does the book that you read speak of hell
Will the life that you lead do as well
Do the stars make a difference somehow
Will you hide in their light, ooh
Oh once you have crossed over
Forever you will stay
and they say that the damned are all free
We know it's meant to be
The Magic's touching me
We're standing in the shadows
6. Another Way
I don't believe you
there is no end to your lies
I won't believe you
and there's no one here I trust
and I want my freedom
I can't escape but
I must live here all along
Out in the dark
I stand and I must remain strong
to fight for our freedom
Each day we face them
building empires of the night
No bombshells, gunfire
and there's no fire burning bright
It's just another way
I said another way
Just like the other day
Now I don't want it
Now can you hear me say
They found another way
Another way to build the Reich
They almost made it last time
Now they turn to strike
They say it's all for freedom
This I do not like
cause I fear its evil
I don't believe you
There is something in your eye
You think you know me
and the way I feel inside
and I know you're evil
7. New Clear Skies
Mine is the seventh
Yes I'm divine
I roam the heavens
and I survive
Unleash the spirits
Litter the skies
Old world in ruins
I'll be your guide...
Conjure the demon
Let dragons fly
Mislead the children
Comfort the blind
Lets meet the Maker
Do take your time
This cup so bitter
See how we shine
And in a blaze we go
The stars will show
No compromises
And you and I will know
this power show
New sky arises
Watch me deliver
Always on time
Mislead the children
Light up the sky
Cold-blooded fathers
Cold-hearted sons
Call on the wizard
It has begun
I blind the sun
8. Riding The Beast
Time after time and once again
See all the while they feed us only lies
Twelve stars all plain to see
and in my heart I fear
yes we all fear
the war's not truly over
In the streets we see the signs
and on the screen they spill it out
Forever lost it seems
and deep inside you know
What we all know
The war's not truly over
We've heard it all before
Shut up and lock that door
and when you feel secure
The wounded beast arises
Over the water, over the sea
Over the water, riding the beast
Over the water, over the sea
Over the water she goes
Riding the beast
All the while, well I don't know but
I believe we wait too patiently
Near the end of time
Watch her ride the waves of infamy
Over the sea, rise above us all
I was born in the fold of the beast
We've heard it all before
Can you see what I see
9. Reason Of The Ghost
Look to the children
They shine forevermore
The light in their eyes
Can open up the door
Light our way
Lost in the night
We watch how they play
Mystic moon in the sky
Hear what I say
Don't go, don't go away
Is there no reason
Reason of the Ghost
I see no reason
Reason of the Ghost
Is there no reason
Reason of the Ghost
Oh, save our souls
They have magic and games
They've hope for the day
Don't hand them their dreams
Just to take them away
Don't tell them the lion is rugged and pale
Tell them you're dreaming
Is there no reason
Reason of the Ghost
I see no reason
Reason of the Ghost
Is there no reason
Reason of the Ghost
Oh, save our souls
They're hungry, they're poor
They stand in the rain
They wait for they're sure
the pain stays the same
Step into the night
and live with the shame
Their tears have all dried
but are they ok
Reason of the Ghost
10. The Devil's Finger
At the Devil's Inn
There's a room for you
and there's a table's set
And they want you too
Then the keeper smiles
And I believe in Hell
This is where you stand
This is where you end
At the Devil's Inn
When the night is new
Yes, when the door slams shut
And they turn on you
Then the keeper smiles
And you believe in Hell
This is where you stand
This is where you end
Touch our circle as we lie
Touch our lives we don't know why
Dance in circles in the sky
Where are all the friendly faces now?
We're the same... we're all the same
Touch me now I'll make you dance somehow
At the Devil's Inn
When the night is new
Right! When the moon is full
and they turn on you
Then the Devil smiles
Yeah we belong in Hell
This is where we stand
This is where we end
Touches me, touches you
While we do what we do
Still we fly, do we know why
11. Don't Pray For Me
'twas no mistake I heard them say
We'll take away tomorrow
And make each day just fade away
As lesser demons follow
We steal the sky, we circle high
We never fill the poor soul
In misery, sweet misery
Let lesser demons follow
They spoke of how a great cabal
Make mountains shake and crumble
The days on earth for what they're worth
Make angels scared and humble
It's fair to say that any day
Can tear your life asunder
In misery, sweet misery
As lesser demons wander
And if the stakes are high now
Just take them higher
And if the walls come down
Don't wait for me
To feel the sun embrace you
Heats my desire
So when the walls come down
Don't pray for me
These written words can all be heard
So listen well and follow
I swear by God's Almighty Son
That lesser demons wallow
What if I say, today's the day
Tomorrow's not tomorrow
In misery, sweet misery
Today is when we follow