CoC : After Forever - Prison of Desire : Review

After Forever - _Prison of Desire_
(Transmission Records, 2000)
by: Chris Flaaten (7.5 out of 10)

After Forever from The Netherlands is the latest fruit from the tree of doom with soprano and death metal vocals. Many claim that this kind of music has been overdone, but this album from After Forever actually has enough quality and character to deserve attention. The album opens with a very atmospheric synth and choir piece, with Latin lyrics that represent the prologue to the lyrical trilogy consisting of track two, five and nine, while the music itself is the perfect intro for the album as a whole. The second track -- and all of the remaining nine tracks, for that matter -- follows perfectly with both varied, well composed and well played music lead by singer/soprano Floor Jansen's tremendous talent. After Forever's music is mainly based on traditional guitar riffing with the synth in more of a support role. The most apparent comparison is Within Temptation, and Sharon den Adel also appears on the album's last and perhaps most beautiful track, "Beyond Me". Still, the comparison does not describe AF's music accurately; Within Temptation meets Nightwish, perhaps? People interested in either of those bands' music should definitely check After Forever out.

(article published 12/8/2000)