Oh, here it is again, that 'wow' feeling. For a while now I've been reviewing good albums, very good ones. However, it's been a while since I've been as surprised and entertained by a new album as with this one. I guess it's because of the genres I've been listening to recently. Although pretty diverse, they all have something similar and I've been listening to them a lot, neglecting some others. Velvet Six, a band from Finland, pushes me right back in the glorious era of gothic rock with a great album.
The band faced some difficult times and line-up changes after their debut but Demons Los Divas sounds like the band is back with a vengeance and a huge, almost arrogant belief in their own musical abilities. Combining influences from dark rock like Him with the heavier aspects of Moonspell and the in-your-face attitude of Black Veil Brides, Velvet Six has arguably made a present-day classic in the gothic rock scene. All of the songs breathe the same dark atmosphere as bands like 69Eyes or even Fields Of The Nephilim, be it a bit lighter than the latter.
I wouldn't be surprised if some of these songs, especially 'Twist' and 'Loves Like' fill up dancefloors on any gothic party. They're loaded with emotions, both in vocals and keyboards. This gloomy atmosphere is reinforced by a solid rhythm section and up-beat drums that can easily get any gothchick dancing and any gothrocker bounce his black-haired head. It's this perfect combination that makes 'Underneath' and 'Blood Rain' awesome songs that somehow remind me of The Vision Bleak or our own Belgian Star Industry.
If anything, Demons Los Divas proves that gothic rock is still alive and kicking, and that bands are still able to make an album that sounds both familiar and refreshing. From the very start of the opening and title track I knew I was going to like this. And indeed, it has been a very welcome and pleasant ride all the way through. No doubt this album will often appear on my last.fm playlist and in those of many goths around the world. If Velvet Six can keep this quality on stage, they just might become a band to be reckoned with...
Serge
The band faced some difficult times and line-up changes after their debut but Demons Los Divas sounds like the band is back with a vengeance and a huge, almost arrogant belief in their own musical abilities. Combining influences from dark rock like Him with the heavier aspects of Moonspell and the in-your-face attitude of Black Veil Brides, Velvet Six has arguably made a present-day classic in the gothic rock scene. All of the songs breathe the same dark atmosphere as bands like 69Eyes or even Fields Of The Nephilim, be it a bit lighter than the latter.
I wouldn't be surprised if some of these songs, especially 'Twist' and 'Loves Like' fill up dancefloors on any gothic party. They're loaded with emotions, both in vocals and keyboards. This gloomy atmosphere is reinforced by a solid rhythm section and up-beat drums that can easily get any gothchick dancing and any gothrocker bounce his black-haired head. It's this perfect combination that makes 'Underneath' and 'Blood Rain' awesome songs that somehow remind me of The Vision Bleak or our own Belgian Star Industry.
If anything, Demons Los Divas proves that gothic rock is still alive and kicking, and that bands are still able to make an album that sounds both familiar and refreshing. From the very start of the opening and title track I knew I was going to like this. And indeed, it has been a very welcome and pleasant ride all the way through. No doubt this album will often appear on my last.fm playlist and in those of many goths around the world. If Velvet Six can keep this quality on stage, they just might become a band to be reckoned with...
Serge