Poisonblack
Lust Stained Despair

Release date: August 28th 2006
Label:
Century Media
Distribution: EMI (Denmark)

Website:
www.poisonblack.com
Style:
Dark, rocking metal

Rating: 79/100
Cover artwork rating:
75/100
Reviewed by:
Thomas Nielsen
Date:
August 27th 2006

With more time to focus on other things, Ville from the now departed Sentenced, has returned to the Poisonblack project which I suppose must now be regarded as a proper band.  

And what might you expect from this CD? Well, it rocks, it’s catchy and it wants to be a hit in home country Finland. And there is little doubt in my mind that it will be just that. From the outset, it is apparent that the sound is just right (mix by Tue Madsen), and opener Nothing Else Remains is suitably heavy with a catchy refrain that stays with you for days.  

The album as a whole blends seamlessly into the goth rock/metal tradition and you can hear the Paradise Lost inspiration – but also Ozzy Osbourne and King Diamond (listen to the track Nail and think ‘The Eye’). In Flames aren’t too far away either.  

It never turns into a clone of other bands, though, especially due to the fact that you have Laihiala’s voice in the front and that the potential goth dreariness is destroyed by the crushing guitar sound. Even the acoustic ballad, Pain Becomes Me, is very decent – felt and sensitive piece.  

Solid album – well-worth a buy!