Tristania: Ashes (2005)

Since I really like their sound and style, also its changing from especially Beyond the Veil to World of Glass I was very delighted to find out that they are about to release a new album. I even bought a music magazine which had one song on the cover CD. It was not particulary great, but quite good, so I pre-ordered the album, Ashes. When it arrived it went straight to the player. And then I was sitting there, slightly annoyed. Yes, there is still Vibeke singing, which clearly peaks out from other Gothic bands, but what happened to the atmosphere? Where did the choirs go? And what is with this angry shouting? To make it short: I didn't like it at all, after one week it was banned to the shelf and stayed there.

Until last week.

I had the opportunity to see them live at the M'Era Luna. First I was amazed how extremely well Vibeke sings live. And with which presence. Anyhow, they played mostly older songs, which was good, but also two songs from Ashes. And also one from the new album that is going to be released early next year. I still wasn't too fascinated by the new material, mostly still having the bad experience in mind when I tried to listened to the album the first time.

But I decided to give it another try and took it out again. Leaving it running in the background while working on the computer I picked out more and more great parts and moments. It kept catching my attention. After one day I was convinced that there is really a lot to discover on that album. And yes, there it was again, the Tristania-feeling. It is different now, granted. Harder, less epic, less atmospheric. But also vaster. More progressive. Now I am pretty sure that rejecting it last year was not due to it being a bad album, I listened to it under the false assumptions. The more delighted I am now to listen to it. One of the songs, Endogenesis, even has the potential to become my favourite Tristania track. And that is hard with tracks like Midwintertears or Selling out still competing for this title.

For samples from all albums, check out the official web-page, three songs – Libre, Heretique and Equilibrium – can be downloaded as videos either from there or directly from here. After listening to Ashes the last days, I am more and more looking forward to the new album, Illumination.

For getting aquainted with Tristania, Ashes is probably the wrong album to start with, World of Glass is the better entry point. It is in a sense easier to listen to. But in the long run, Ashes takes it stand and marks a new area in the Tristania soundscape. It requires a couple of loops before it starts to really catch on. But then it gets better and better. Lucky me that I tried it again.