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Band:
Type O Negative
It has been many moons since the self-proclaimed “Four Dicks from Brooklyn ” have given their fans new material to play with, although in 2006 they did attempt to calm the masses by releasing both a greatest hits album and a live DVD. However, the long wait is finally over with the March 13 th release of Dead Again , the first Type O Negative studio album in four years. T.O.N. are the quintessential gothic metal band, tellers of morbid tales infused with black humor set to the tune of demon-inspired melodies. Although this album does not stray from the usual Type O formula, Dead Again manages to stay fresh by retaining the pop sensibilities that make them so accessible. There are only 10 tracks on the cd, but they range from 4 to 14 minutes each and the total album length is over 77 minutes. Dead Again is not just a collection of songs—it is a full-body experience. Critics have said that most Type O Negative material sounds alike, and I will grudgingly admit that this is a fair first impression. In fact, the intro to the title track “Dead Again” is so reminiscent of “Can't Lose You” (from the album Bloody Kisses ) that it scared even me. I am ashamed to admit that I momentarily doubted T.O.N., although I enjoyed being brutally put in my place within seconds of that intro. “Dead Again” is a mosh pit's sweaty dream and still manages to lyrically deliver a deeper message about the downward spiral of drug abuse. “I had no pulse last time I checked; I'd trade my life for self-respect”. Peter Steele hasn't lost his grave sense of humor, and we go from “Dead Again” headlong into a strange and weighty journey beginning with the bitter “Tripping a Blind Man”, marching forward into the evil, if a bit campy, “Profits of Doom”. From there we are slowed by the uncharacteristically sweet piano intro into the metal ballad of “September Sun” only to be kicked mercilessly back into the mosh pit with the head-banging “Halloween in Heaven “. Track six is the darkly epic “These Three Things” followed by “She Burned Me Down”, “Some Stupid Tomorrow”, the Sabbath-esque “Ode to Locksmiths” and finally “Hail and Farewell to Britain” which rounds out the album in consistent goth-metal style. While it is undeniable that there are similarities in themes and spirit of Type O Negative's music—their fans know that it's because they have been given the gift of personality in a world of rock and roll clones. Of course T.O.N. has inevitably grown and changed over the years, and their maturity shows through in this album. Still, the important aspects of the Type O Negative personality have remained firmly and deliciously intact. Though I'd recommend 1993's Bloody Kisses for Type-O Newbies, this album is more than meaty enough for Type-O Negatives legions of loyal fans. Put the Viagra back on the shelf, because the Four Dicks from Brooklyn are still as rock-hard as ever.by Angela Jones |
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