CoC : Ablaze My Sorrow - If Emotions Still Burn : Review

Ablaze My Sorrow - _If Emotions Still Burn_
(No Fashion, 1996)
by: Drew Snow (7 out of 10)

Despite the moniker of this band, which would make one think it were a doom metal band, Ablaze My Sorrow is yet another in the long line of "melodic black/death metal" bands hailing from Sweden, the majority of which are talented and extremely listenable musicians. AMS is no exception to this trend. In fact, although they are not better than their brethren, they stand slightly apart, musically. If you are expecting just another Dark Tranquillity, In Flames or Gates of Ishtar with this debut album, you'll be fairly surprised at the direction AMS takes, with the much rawer (not deeper) vocals, and different melody structures put forth. The playing might not be as tight as others, and some of the songs just seem to meander on, but there is enough here to keep the listener interested, and to come back for more. Indeed, this album took some time to grow on me, I hardly liked it at all at first, but after a few more listens, I've grown to like _If Emotions Still Burn_ quite a bit, and suggest it to all who consider themselves a fan of the genre.

(article published 11/10/1996)

ALBUMS
10/3/1998	D Schinzel	6	Ablaze My Sorrow - The Plague