Theatre of Tragedy - Forever is the World

August 26, 2009

Reviewer: Peter

Ever since Theatre of Tragedy went techno with its 2000 release Musique, the fans have pretty much fled in a manner that would be similar to Godzilla destroying Tokyo.  When Liv Kristine Espanaes left the band prior to the recording of the 2006 album Storm, it marked a chance for the band to try and regain some things back.  Beginning with the addition of Nell Sigland to replace Espanaes, the band experienced a major transition period in not only breaking in a new vocalist, but also trying to get back to what they were before the turn of the decade.

This year continues the transition period, as the band is ready to release a new album in Forever is the World.  The transition is far from complete, but the small things that the band is doing to their sound are encouraging enough to at least give them a second chance.

Theatre of Tragedy begins Forever is the World with “Hide and Seek,” and right away, one of the things that stand out is the return of the growls of Raymond I. Rohonyi.  While his vocals are still quite bad, and have been since Musique, it is at least a step in the right direction.  Thankfully, the male vocals aren’t as prevalent on this album as they have been on the other Theatre of Tragedy releases.  “Hide and Seek” also marks one of the few times that the techno aspect of Theatre of Tragedy’s last three albums is prevalent, as most of the tracks on the album are rather slow, but bring back the mood element that had been missing since Aegis.  Sigland’s vocals are by no means great, but they are solid enough to help usher in the “new” direction that Theatre of Tragedy seems to be taking on the album.  However, somewhere in between Storm and Forever is the World, the band forgot to add the “metal” part of the Gothic Metal subgenre (read: guitars lack punch), rendering much of the album a collection of songs to play at a candlelight dinner.  It remains the slower pace to the point where one would likely have to drink a couple cups of coffee just to make it through the album.  It isn’t until “Deadland” that things truly pick up, but by then, the album is almost over.  An interesting thing to note is that while the techno elements are not as prevalent on the album, Rohonyi’s robotic “vocals” don’t make a return until “Astray,” which aren’t as annoying now, given the sparse usage of them throughout the album.

After listening to Forever is the World, it is clear that Theatre of Tragedy is trying to get back to what made them successful in their earlier years.  However, nothing is ever achieved overnight, and certainly Forever is the World will not erase all of the bad memories of albums such as Assembly and Musique.  Give the band points for trying, as right now, any improvement is good improvement.  Now only if the band can get some of its bite back, then one can look back at Storm and Forever is the World as turning points.

TRACK LISTING

1.  Hide and Seek
2.  A Nine Days Wonder
3.  Revolution
4.  Transition
5.  Hollow
6.  Astray
7.  Frozen
8.  Illusions
9.  Deadland
10.  Forever is the World

Total playing time: 37:46

Release Date: September 18, 2009
Label: AFM Records

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