Disco de Theatre of Tragedy: “Assembly”

There is nothing worse than a band that keeps playing the same old style of music without every changing or trying something new. Worse than that are the fans who complain because they can't handle the change. As a musician let me tell that never trying something different is soooo boring. Kudos to TOT for this album and Musique before it. The music still rocks just in a different style (ala Curve, Garbage) Sorry miopic metal fans. As much as I love earlier TOT, and I do, these albums are still superior to most music out there.

Has anyone here heard of Rammstein? That's what comes to mind when I listen to this CD. There really is a lot of fun music here. Clearly, Theatre of Tragedy isn't the doom metal band that they once were. The key is that this was recorded at the famed Finnvox Studios (Stratovarius, Children of Bodom, Sonata Arctica, Eternal Tears of Sorrow, Warmen). No matter what the music is, the production must be amazing, right? Well, it is.

These are fun songs. For those of you picking this up because you're a doom metal fan or a Theatre of Tragedy fan, either put it back on the shelf or delete it from your shopping cart - this is more industrial than doom! The female vocalist is still here and sings every line of every song, unless there's one or 2 1 verse exceptions. Each song is very melodic. If you're into this kind of music or accept the band's change, then you should love this. Did I say how short the songs are yet? Some don't even hit the 3 minute mark and none get over 5. The last song is a slow, soft balladish song that I fell in love with last night. Expect something with sounds like that of Project Pitchfork when you put this CD in. Quite frankily, I don't think there's any one way to describe this so that you'll be prepared when you put this in your CD player. I'm doing the best I can here.

All there really is to say is "buy it!" Just make sure that this is really a CD that you don't mind experimenting with before you do so. When you get the chance, go read some of my other reviews and say if they helped you or not. Till next time!

I actually _did_ like "Musique" because it still had some elements of their masterpiece, "Aegis". There were some grungier tunes, some slower ones, all containing the excellent vocals of Liv Kristine. However, attempting to listen to "Assembly" was almost painful. I was repeatedly reminded of how they "used" to sound and wanting to put in "Aegis" or the earlier discs, all of which I own.

ToT has basically gone further in the direction they started with "Musique", that is to say, quite "techno". There are a lot more electronic elements (I believe most of the drums very well may be) and samples used here. Raymond's vocals are a bit hard to listen to (yes, it was better when he grunted). Liv isn't as "in the front" as she was before, almost as if they were acknowledging that she were no longer the lead vocalist, but perhaps a guest. I really, really tried to listen to "Assembly", because I have a lot of respect for ToT and any band's decision to change their musical direction, but I think this may be a bit too far for most of us older fans that really enjoyed the darker side. "Assembly" is very "poppy" and probably would have done well about 15 years ago as a new wave or electronic genre release (and it would have been ahead of its time then, with elements of gothic metal) but instead the ghost of "old" ToT haunts it.

I gave it 2 stars out of respect for the band's career. ToT may gain new fans with "Assembly", but I think they may lose many of those from years past.

But, to be fair, "Assembly" is still decent music, just not with the band name on the cover. Lovers of electro-rock and possibly 80's fantatics may enjoy this CD, but stray away if you are an old "gothic metal" purist.

I want to start out by saying the song titles on the Nuclear Blast CD that I own are completely different than what's listed above. As for the music, it is absolutely first-rate techno-pop. Normally, I would hate stuff like this, as I heard too much third-rate ... of this kind back in the '80s, but this is just so well-done it grabs hold like a fishhook in your brain and won't let go. Their previous album, Musique, is in the same vein, and almost as good. Before that, they put out some excellent goth metal albums, and Liv Kristine's solo album is far superior to almost anything put out by any American pop princess diva. Give 'em a try.

This is a poor excuse for a theatre of tragedy album. Where are the dark grim vocals, and pianic atmosphere that made the first three installments of tot a majestic masterpiece. gone are the deep thoughted vocals replaced with euro techno trash beats blended with ridiculous pop lyrics like automatic lover. I swear it feels like I didnt even pick up a tot album. For real fans of dark melodic gothic metal avoid this like a plague.