[METAL
SHREDDER REPORTING]
I was
contacted by the LoveLorn Dolls’ frontwoman Kristell “Ladyhell” Lowagie herself
to shred my way through her bands’ freshly made full length release. I didn’t
know about the LoveLorn Dolls before but I can already tell you I’m damn glad
she presented her music project to me. Here we go!
[THE
SHREDDING BASICS]
Dark Ages
is the third album from the Brussels-based gothic rock band LoveLorn Dolls,
formed in 2011. This release is distributed by Alfa Matrix and consists of 10
tracks for about 40 minutes of playtime. The LoveLorn Dolls combines
hard-hitting industrial metal riffs similar to Rammstein with the melancholic
gothic rock atmosphere from the Cure and even a bit of symphonic metal from the
likes of Lacuna Coil. The main thing I personally find the most attractive
about the LoveLorn Dolls’ sound is how Corpus Christi’s uplifting guitar riffs are
contrasted by Ladyhell’s howling vocals. It creates a catchy, intimate and
down-to-earth atmosphere that goes on through the entire album. Some tracks
like the opening title track and its succeeding song Dead Sea are slow,
emotional ballads while other songs like Psalms are Another World are
hard-pounding guitar tracks. These latter two tracks in particular showcase the
more technical side of the LoveLorn Dolls with awesome guitar solos! And you
guys all know I’m always happy to hear some guitar shredding!
[THE
SHREDDING THEMES AND VISION]
The songs
on Darker Ages mainly deal with dark subjects. Religious extremism is
frequently discussed throughout the album as well as physical and emotion pain.
However, thanks to the joyful sounding beats the entire concept feels less
depressing than it would be should you just be reading the album’s lyrics. As
for the cover art, there’s a young woman wearing a
black gothic styled wedding dress, standing peacefully, eyes closed, a crow
perched on her shoulder and a human skull in her hands. Like the band’s musical
style this image both invokes a sense of peace and danger. A feeling of
happiness and damnation. The difference between life and death. A marriage and
a funeral all in one!
[THE
SHARPEST SHREDS AND THE BLUNTEST BLADES]
One of my
favorites is the album’s final track, Another World. Ladyhell’s vocals in
particular are very powerful in this final track as she unleashes all her fury
and pain into the song’s chorus. I was so intrigued by the song that I replayed
the song as soon as it was finished! Other favorites of mine are the ballad
Dead Sea (I would love to dance to that track with a beautiful gothic lady on
my side) and the song Psalms for Corpus Christi’s epic guitar work. As for my
least favorite track, I kind of feel that the album’s opening title track is a
bit weak and dragging on. The song itself does include Ladyhell doing harsh
shrieks along with her typical vocals, providing a sweet contrast. That being
said, time to score this baby…
[THE
SHREDDER’S SCORECARD]
8 crows out
of 10. Once again I’m grateful to having encountered another talented Belgian
underground act. The LoveLorn Dolls’ third release is one of my first tastes of
gothic rock (at least that I’m aware of) and I’ve got to say that I’m hungry
for more! This is a band I can warmly recommend to fans of casual rock, gothic
music and heavy metal. Now come and enjoy the music video for Dead Sea here below!
