Release Date: April 7th, 2026
Format: CD/Vinyl/Digital
Genre: Progressive Metal
Origin: Norway
Green Carnation emerged in the early nineties, forged by Emperor’s original bassist Tchort. They amassed a massive cult following behind the critical acclaim for "Light Of Day, Day Of Darkness", an ambitious epic that secured their legacy in metal history. Through the years, the Norwegian progressive metal veterans morphed through gothic crushing phases and hard rock avenues, constantly evolving their sound until their hiatus in 2007. Following a triumphant return, they initiated a massive album trilogy based on Shakespeare’s “Ophelia”, dropping "The Shores Of Melancholia" as the grand opening chapter.
Now, they bring forth the second act, "A Dark Poem, Part II: Sanguis". The music descends into harrowing, devastatingly personal territory far out at sea. The riffs are fiery and spiraling, dragged down into mental hells alongside sorrowful organ swells and cresting vocal deliveries. The journey battles the darkest inner rooms of the human condition, fighting to stay afloat against a raging storm. The production ensures the melancholic waves crash violently against the shores of sanity.
The instrumentation strikes with severe force, balancing meaty riffing with haunting melodies and underlying notes of resentment. Thunderous double bass drumming drives the aggressive segments, colliding with sweeping guitar solos that wind like harsh winds of change. There are moments of sheer desolation where a single voice and a barren, wilted arrangement take over, bringing a stark vulnerability to the forefront. A soothing flute makes an eerie appearance, casting a grim beacon over the doom-laden landscape.
Don't expect background music here. Green Carnation demands your undivided attention, dragging you through familial wreckage and bleeding wounds. They prove they still possess the fire that forged their legacy, delivering an experience drenched in authentic anguish. The musicianship is top-tier, executing the intricate progressive structures with absolute precision. The emotional damage is genuine, making the listening experience intensely gripping for anyone looking for authentic suffering translated into heavy music.
The Norwegians have crafted a devastating middle chapter for their trilogy. "A Dark Poem, Part II: Sanguis" leaves you suspended in a gloomy, agonizing state, dreading and anticipating whatever the final installment brings. It secures Green Carnation’s status as absolute titans in the progressive metal scene. The darkness within these songs will linger long after the final notes fade into the void.
Score: 8.5
Add comment
Comments