EVENTIDE: Diaries From The Gallows 

I'm not a death metal specialist. So when I'm comparing EVENTIDE with IN FLAMES it's probably like a movie newbie comparing Lord of the Rings with Harry Potter because "both have wizards with long beards and small people accomplishing great things." "Diaries From The Gallows" reminds me of "Reroute To Remain". There are, however, several differences between those two albums. Actually, EVENTIDE are quite self-contained and have an individual style. The music has a lot of diversity. It's definitely more detailed and less hectic than that of IN FLAMES. The CD features an excellent cover artwork and an appealing inlay design made by Niklas Sundin (DARK TRANQUILLITY). There are tasteful keyboard parts as well as some amazing violin parts. My personal favorite is "Standards Of Rebellion", which has great melodies. "No Place Darker", "The Skeleton Who Sold Its Skin" and "Killing What Can´t Be Handled" are further highlights. The other songs are a bit more dodgy, but far from a brainless noise eruption. 

If you're listening to the album with your eyes closed, your fantasy will be inspired. In my case, a movie ensues whose plot and content I want to share with you. In terms of atmosphere, I'd place it somewhere between Brothers Grimm and Strings (Anybody seen it?). But again: There's plenty of original elements at all times! 

At first, a speed junkie is in the focus. The world around him is similar to ours. He sees himself as a defender of reality. He fights with various means against denominations. So far the movie resembles usual action and mystery thrillers. The regular movie goer isn't surprised when he learns that the junkie's activities attract the attention of powers other than the police. Out of the shadows an angel (?) takes shape who tempts him to come into his world. As often in film the parallel world resembles reality. Still, colors lose their brightness. Angles seem distorted and surfaces have been manufactured by leading special effects teams. After an argument ("Killing What Can't Be Handled") the characters part. The junkies strays in search for a way back into his world. Meanwhile, the shadow creature travels home where it has left one half of his personality. The reunion is less happy than expected. Alienation is in the air ("My Closest Demon"). 

The shadow world doesn't know day and night, but Dark and Gloomy. As Gloomy dawns, the shadow creature hurries to a gathering of the Chiefs. During its meeting with the speed junkie it acquired something that seems to be very important for the continuity of the parallel world. The viewer senses that entering reality is forbidden and even deemed impossible. The plot has a few flaws here, but we learn that changes are happening ("This Curse"). Since the shadow creature refuses to share its secret, the others take it with them to the gallow's hill. At this spot something has appeared that can be best described as a fissure in reality. As they approach, the actual extend of destruction becomes apparent. Billows, light, fog and an erratic pulse are visible, slowly moving forward. Everybody leaves a half of their souls behind before they face the intruding entity. Each member displays a variety of tricky moves, but they seem to make the enemy only stronger. The shadow creatures steps up and throws an antagonism of light and darkness at the entity ("No Place Darker"). Blinded by the spectacle the others avoid their eyes. As they dare to look again, they find that reality has been restored and that the shadow creature has disappeared. The screen fades to black and uncertainty remains. 

Peaceful silence. The camera rolls backwards and a small village comes slowly into view. Half of the buildings are merely ruins. The remaining citizens have gathered at the town square. They're about to leave their homes behind in order to join the rebellion against the monarch. The scene has too much saturation, yet no colors. The atmosphere contains desperation and determination, too. There's also a hint of humanity and harmony. Behind the grimace of violence a human spirit still prevails ("Standards Of Rebellion"). The castle of the ruler happens to be a bizarre building with a lot of narrow towers and tall walls. The King paces towards the dungeon. The speed junkie from the opening lies in chains. The interrogation yields no new insights. No one can explain his existence. He himself is totally clueless ("Indifferent"). Another attack of the angry people surges against the walls. Some new prisoners are being brought to the dungeons. Among them is a slim creature who likes a bit like the shadow creature from the first half of the movie. It becomes clear that he really is the shadow creature, when denies the existence of the lock on the dungeon's door. It hurries through a dark corridor and disappears. Undetected by the guards and with agile moves it heads for the king's rooms ("The Skeleton Who Sold Its Skin"). Commotion. The main gate has been taken. In the King's room, however, everything is quiet. It's a deceptive silence. The King isn't surprised when suddenly the intruder appears in front of him. Memories flicker as recognition sets in. For a short moment the village can be seen, back when it was still alive; then a joyful family, a bridge in the forest, a tearful goodbye ("Vargavidderna"). Then the noise of the battle enters the room. The eyes of the two enemies meet. A short, merciless fight ensues ("I, Enemy"). 

A sudden change of scenery. Back on the gallow's hill. The shadow creature carries the lifeless body of the junkie in its arms. Flashbacks fill the holes in the plot. We learn that the half of the shadow creature's soul had been hiding in the junkie's body while sacrificing its body to unreality which it had created earlier on. The remaining half had then seized power and created a reign of terror. We see the meeting of the first half of the soul with the junkie in the dungeon, once more ("Confinement"). It remains unclear who actually won and how the rebirth took place. 

Every time you listen to the album, the story is a different one, which is curse and blessing at the same time. Therefore I can't shed any light on those last few points. But I can assure you, that "Diaries From The Gallows" is a great and amazing melodic death metal thrill with progressive shades!

Reviewed by Jutze for vampster.com