Copycat Goth
Goth is all the rage at the moment with the likes of HIM and Nightwish selling respectable amounts of units. The term 'Goth' however, seems to be branded to any band that either, incorporates a piano into their sound, have big spacious keyboards or a female singer, and in some cases all of the above. Tenebre are straightforward goth rock owing more to the stylings of Sisters of Mercy and Type 'O' Negative than the Leaves Eyes and Within Temptations of this world. All the above bands come under the umbrella term of 'goth' even though musically they are miles apart, and after several spins of 'Hearts Blood', Tenebre's music can best described as melancholic dark rock.
Kicking off with a riff almost borrowed from The Cult, 'Silver Flame' is a rocking up beat song and instantly likeable. Straight away you notice that Kalle's vocals are exactly like Sisters of Mercy's Andrew Eldritch. The similarity is uncanny, so uncanny that you start to wonder if this really is Sisters of Mercy in disguise. Oddly enough when a friend of mine called me whilst I was listening to 'Heart's Blood' he said, 'Hey Pete, I didn’t know you were a fan of Sisters of Mercy'. When I advised my friend it was Tenebre he was aghast and went on a 'bands ripping off other bands' rant for twenty minutes. It was then I realised this album will form music fans in to two camps; those who hate it because it sounds exactly like it's influences and those who love it because it does sound like it's influences. The people who will hate it wont listen to the songs themselves but just hear the overall sound, refusing to listen and spouting 'they'll never be as good as Sisters of Mercy'. This is fully understandable but I feel the people who will be of this opinion are missing out because 'Heart's Blood' is an enjoyable experience from start to finish.
I remember the first time Helloween received recognition in Britain, they were cited as Iron Maiden rip offs, but the advantage Helloween had was they could write some great tunes. Tenebre have a similar talent because cuts such as 'Mistress of the Dark', 'Shine' and in particular 'Blue' are impressive and catchy songs. The title track is a dark, heart breaking and moody number most likely written by someone after being dumped at the alter. The first two minutes just ooze sadness and when the track finally crashes in the lead guitar screeches in pure anguish before Kalle, in his deep bellow, forces out the words from the pit of his stomach.
The production is pretty weedy at times. I think concentrating on the depth of the guitars would have been time well spent, because on occasions, when the music does crash in, the ideas lack impact. The songs themselves are catchy but safe, rarely venturing from the usual pop song formula. 'Serpents Fire' sounds similar to the two tracks that preceded it and 'Nightmare' comes across as a ten minute throw-together because they needed another up-tempo song.
In my more mellow moments I have found myself putting on 'Heart's Blood' because it's just so damn catchy. It's not offensive or brutal, it doesn't have a point to prove and it certainly doesn't have anything to say. 'Heart's Blood' is an easy listen, which, even for the most hardened metal fan can be a much needed outlet. If you are not familiar with the Sisters of Mercy or Type O Negative then you're most likely to take this album at face value and enjoy it for what it is. If you're a fan of these bands and consider yourself to be open-minded then send your attention Tenebre's way for a moment, you may like what you hear. If you're not so liberal in your thinking and find your blood boils fairly easily then avoid this CD.