Dark Tranquillity Album: “Haven (Reissue)”

After hearing "The Wonders at Your Feet" about a year ago on an internet station, I excitedly rushed to download and listen to "Haven." I had heard good things about Dark Tranquillity and went into it with high expectations, but after three listens I was having a really hard time figuring out what the big deal was. However, after I got their last album "Damage Done" and proceeded to be blown away, I decided to give "Haven" another chance. However, another four or five listens later I'm still pretty stumped. I really should like this album: I'm a huge fan of Swedish metal, they're obviously very talented, there's a lot of diversity on display here. However, while Dark Tranquillity throw out a lot of ideas on "Haven," they don't often really seem to "stick." Maybe if they weren't so intent on getting their songs done in four minutes or less, the band would give them a little bit more room to stretch out and breathe. Take "The Wonders at Your Feet," for instance. Every necessary element is in place for this to be a great song: the musicianship is top-notch, the vocals are haunting, the melodies are insinuating. However, they rush through in a mere three minutes, and the song winds up feeling incomplete. The verses are only about ten seconds long, the choruses are roughly the same length, then there's an all-too-brief guitar solo, then the chorus is repeated a couple times, and the song is over. It's very frustrating, and almost every song is in the same vein. Just when I feel like I'm getting settled into a song, I'm hit with some sort of arbitrary change. Some bands can change tempo constantly and it works, but with a sound so reliant on mood and texture I really think it's a bad idea. I like the way Dark Tranquillity mix keyboards into their sound, I like Mikael Stanne's voice, I like the way the band mixes heaviness and melody, and I like the guitars. So in the end, I really should've loved "Haven." But I don't. When I want some great Swedish metal, I turn to "Damage Done," or to just about anything by In Flames, Opeth, Soilwork, and the Haunted.

Dark Tranquillity is my favorite melodic death metal band; hands down, but with the release of 'Haven' they have proved that they can go outside of that genre. On 'Haven' Dark Tranquillity mixes industrial, gothic, and melodice death metal so seemlessly it would appear that they have been playing this genre their whole life. The new sound reminds me something of a heavier Rammstein (another one of my favorite bands); a mixture of pounding riffs and keyboards. Even two years after the initial release of this album I am still left speachless whenever I listen to it. The production of this album - like all Dark Tranquilly releases - is very polished and clean (this is a good thing for melodic death metal); it allows the album to flow smoothly from song to song. Mikael Stanne is definitely one of the best vocalists in the genre, his range blows away "rival" bands like Shadows Fall (though still a great band). But what really makes the album is Martin Brandstrom's keyboards; they bring out the life in the guitars, drums, and bass and give an auora of darkness around the music. From the opening notes of "The Wonders at Your Feet" you can tell that this album is something special. Though all the songs are excellent "Indifferent Suns", "Rundown", "The Wonders at Your Feet", and "At Loss For Words" are the standout tracks on the album - but again, every track is great. I know that a lot of people give a "five star" rating to any record that they enjoy, but I mean it. This album is a melodic work of art that should not be overlooked. A must have for everybody.

Well, I must say, I am amazed. I will admit that I am fairly new to the melodic death metal genre but needless to say, its amazing. I heard In Flames first back in February of 01'. Theyve grown on me immensley, now I broaden my taste. I heard a lot of talk about DT but I wasnt sure. I decided to check out their most recent album, Haven. I had finally seen the light.

Dark Tranquillity is only parralleled by In Flames. Their song writing ability, the care and energy in the music, the lyrics. Everything comes together amazingly. Dear god, this is music from the heart. The music is an amazing blend of hard chugging riffage, with that so incredible melodic guitar thrown in. The drumming is awesome, the double base in the title track is great. Also a new addition is the synths that were added. I love it, I think it adds a lot more power to the music. Stannes vocals shocked me. Dark, brooding, but strong and very deep. You can tell he loves what he does.

Standout songs....how could I choose? I can seriously listen to this whole CD from front to back. From Wonders to Loss for Words. Every song is full of energy and is hard and powerful, sometimes even dark and brooding (Emptier Still, showcasing great clean vocals by Stanne). I do have 3 definity favorites however. I love the power of "Feast of Burdens". The riff that plays through the song is beutiful. The title track is what really cought me. The double base drum, the beutiful synths, guitar work, amazing. Also "The Same" captured me as well. The power he sings the chorus with is jaw dropping. Overall great song.

This album is a masterpiece in my opinion. Im going to work my way backwards as I did with In Flames, Projector is next on my list. I cant wait to explore this band because they are definite masters at what they do.

I really could never give any DT album under 5 stars. They always are melodic, catchy, and very musical. This album is more synth-influenced, which I kind of liked. While not as good as "The Gallery" (I doubt much is), this is a great cd.

this album is simply awesome, if you liked their last album (like me) Projector and a fan of their earlier material then this will not dissappoint but will rather pleasure you. Combining striking melodies and heavy riffs with keys it creates one hell of an album, all METAL fans go get this album now or get it right here from Amazon.com. Enjoy!