I never really liked the dark side of Doom but in the case of Avatarium', they always got us used to confusing the issue during their latest releases with, for example, 'Hurricanes and Halos' released in 2017 and which saw the Swedes moving towards hard rock taking us back to the 60s/70s. After the live 'An Evening With Avatarium' of 2020, with 'Death, Where Is Your Sting', they had achieved a right balance between the heaviness of doom metal and a harmony in the melodic approach, thanks in particular to the airy vocals of 'Jennie-Ann Smith'. This is also the case for this latest baby from the Swedes who offer us this subtle mix between and within the compositions, bringing yet another beautiful diversity to this 'Between You, God, The Devil and The Dead'.
Right from the start, even if 'Long Black Waves' is relatively heavy, some more intimate parts bring a very appreciable sensual side, 'Jennie-Ann Smith' being no stranger to this sweet sensation (see the video above). With 'I See You Better In The Dark', we are taken in the time machine, to the end of the 60s, with the precursors who brought together the blues with the beginnings of hard rock, the melodic side being highlighted for this catchy title (see the video here). I love these striking contrasts between the heaviness of the electric instruments and the stripped-down sections in the slow tempo of 'My Hair Is on Fire (But I'll Take Your Hand)' which, in the second part, after a gripping instrumental part of extreme emotional intensity, offers a piano/vocal finale of great beauty. 'Jennie-Ann Smith' is again highlighted in the semi-acoustic 'Lovers Give A Kingdom To Each Other' which, even if the rhythm is meant to be measured, definitely moves away from doom to offer us a magnificent ballad, then, we let ourselves go on the slow tempo of 'Being With The Dead' which flirts with hard rock that 'Black Sabbath' would not have denied.
The two following compositions are darker and 'Avatarium' reconnects with some funereal doom with, first of all, the long 'Until Forever and Again' which moves heavily and I would have liked the magnificent contrast that 'Jennie-Ann Smith' offers us in the second part, accompanied by an acoustic guitar, to be more present on the whole title, then, the instrumental 'Notes From Underground' allows 'Marcus Jidell' to place a remarkable guitar solo in this slow procession. To finish, the title song is a magnificent crescendo ballad which once again shows all the talent of 'Jennie-Ann Smith' who lights up this title with her melodious singing contrasting beautifully with the heaviness of the electric instruments which gradually enter the dance, the finale falling back into a few celestial measures: quite simply beautiful! (watch the video here)
In summary, the Swedes of Avatarium', led by an exceptional singer, offer us a remarkable album that demonstrates all the talent of this group that has found its way by going off the beaten track of a doom that is too dark and too linear to forge its own personality by bringing a nuanced style made of different atmospheres, and this 'Between You, God, The Devil and The Dead' is further proof of this because there is something for everyone... | |
