If you, like me, heard this band on Falling on Deaf Ears and went ape over what you heard, it's your lucky day! Trance is the first thing I've heard from VB since then, and it rocks. The first two tracks are, to me, somewhat of a departure from what we heard on Falling . . .. The beats are built around the high-hat, giving them an interesting -- and very cool -- dance/trance goth metal sound. The prevailing sense of melancholy is still present, of course, as are the beautifully lifeless vocals and thick guitars.
"Whispers of Dead Sisters" is the third and last track on the EP, and without a doubt the musical centerpiece. This is also more of what I was expecting from the band, and they didn't let me down. Emotional peaks and valleys take you on a stroll through some dark soul. The three sections of Sadness, Angst, and Reflection are clearly separate, yet woven together into one mesmerizing whole. Fantastic.
While I love the music on this disc, the lyrics certainly seem to be written for someone else. As I'm not depressed, I have some trouble relating to the lyrics of bands like this. "Yes I have faith, yes I'm saved, but it doesn't stop my misery, it doesn't stop my hatred, it doesn't stop my wanting to die!" Now, "I'm a happy Christian" would seem out of place with the music here, and the doom and gloom certainly gives it a better continuity, but there are moments when I feel like this album simply wasn't intended for me. Also, I'm really not sure about the whole goth make-up deal. But that's just me.
This is a great album for anyone who's into Saviour Machine or Kohllapse. The music's great, the production's great, I have but a single gripe. It's an indie release from Australia, so it costs a little more than a band from, say, Ohio. That's fine, if I'm getting my money's worth. Don't misunderstand me now, this is no rip-off -- just be aware before you shell out that you're getting 13:55 of music for your money.
8/10
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #76Reviewed by Doug Van PeltRemember hearing this band on one of Steve Rowe's Australian metal compilations? Well, they're back with a 3- song epic EP (clocking in at just over 13 minutes) that is totally brutal. It starts off with an innocent techno sounding chime for nearly a minute before the Believer-like skilled rhythm section rips yer head off. The vocals juggle between high-end gothic to whispery black metal. The…Dead Zine 1998Reviewed by sesspooli've listened to virgin black all the way back when they were doing australian metal comps. I loved those songs. the mother of cripples in particular was my favorite. well, when i finally picked up the Trance ep... i was expecting the doom/gothic rock/metal... and when i opened it up... i was expecting the doom/gothic rock/metal. so, when i put it in and hit play... i found it odd that the cd…Similar sounding releases
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