Thomas: 'Doctor,
I believe I have multiple personalities.'
Doctor Landau: 'Is that so, Mister Nielsen? How come?'
Thomas: 'I just published a review of Macabre's first EP and gave it a top
rating.'
Doctor Landau: 'Well, yes, that's a fairly irrational thing to do, but it
doesn't really hint at multiple personalites, merely very bad taste...'
Thomas: 'But, doctor, you don't understand...I'm about to publish another review.
I'm...I also like the new Leaves' Eyes album!'
Doctor Landau: 'What?!? You like Macabre AND Leaves' Eyes?! My God! That is not
a case of multiple personalities, that's pure insanity! I will not let you off
before you have explained to me what you experience!'
Thomas: 'It's just that...I can see that what the Norwegian bird Liv Kristine
and her Teutonic hubby Alex do is way beyond the cheese limit, and that they
have made a lot of music that I really didn't like - but, I can't help thinking
that this album has a certain groove. Moreover, I don't know if it's because of
the time I spent in Scotland as a student, but I'm a sucker for bagpipes and
fiddles. The band have also chosen to do a cover of 'To France' by Mike
Oldfield...and I...I always liked Mike Oldfield a lot. And it's a cool and heavy
version, methinks!'
Doctor Landau: 'This is revolting. Do go on.'
Thomas: 'Yes, yes, I know this is an easy point for someone like Alex Krull who
has experience with covering 80s pop, and, well, I was a teenager during the 80s
as well. Can't let it go, doctor, I can't!'
Doctor Landau (takes notes with feverish eagerness).
Thomas: 'The production is perfect for symphonic metal music. It's warm,
bombastic and rounded, yet with enough sharpness to let all instruments stand
out in suitable doses. The reverb on Liv's voice is overdone here and there, but
on the whole it sounds good. The inclusion of guest singers Carmen Elise Espenæs,
Anette Guldbrandsen, John Kelly and Maite Itoiz add to the diversity of the
vocal expression of the album which for me is a definite positive, since Liv's
voice alone easily becomes a tad too sweet. I think it's a powerful release that
combines good production with diverse music and talented voices. The genres of
symphonic metal and folk are breached in a way I like a lot.'
Doctor Landau: 'I must admit that you do show hints of at least two
personalities. Do are sure that you like Macabre too? Or that one of you do?'
Thomas: 'Yes. I'm certain of it. Did I mention that I think this would be
recommended for fans of Nightwish, Midnattssol and other symphonic outfits with
female voice in the foreground?'
Doctor Landau: 'No, you didn't. Mister Nielsen, I know a place, a sanitarium
where you can find rest and peace for a while. It is my firm belief that you
need it...both of you, so to speak. Let me call the nurse. She will take care of
you.'
Thomas: 'Yes, yes, I suppose it's best that way. Can't like both Macabre and
Leaves' Eyes, no, no, won't work, no, no, no. Won't do, no, no.'
Doctor Landau: 'There, there, Mister Nielsen, let Nurse Missy show you out,
they'll come for you very, very soon.'
Thomas: 'Yes, will go with Missy, will go with Missy. Is that you, Missy?'
