𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐘𝐏𝐓𝐒 - 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐔𝐌 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 & 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋…
28 years ago this month, a masterpiece of Death-Doom was unleashed on an unsuspecting world!
On July 3, 1995, Theatre of Tragedy released their debut full-length studio album, “Theatre of Tragedy” via MASSACRE RECORDS. The album was issued in the US by Century Media Records in 1998.
Background:
Theatre of Tragedy was founded out of Norway's famed Black Metal scene on October 2, 1993 by vocalist Raymond István Rohonyi, guitarists Pål Bjåstad and Tommy Lindal. Drummer Hein Frode Hansen had recently quit his former band Phobia and started looking for a new musical project to play in. A friend of his told Hein that a band called Suffering Grief was looking for a new drummer, and after contacting them, he joined the band. At the time, "Suffering Grief" was composed of vocalist Raymond István Rohonyi and guitarists Pål Bjåstad and Tommy Lindal. No bassist had joined the band yet, but Eirik T. Saltrø had agreed to play with them in live concerts.
After finding a rehearsal place, the band decided to work upon a couple of piano arrangements composed by Lorentz Aspen. The vocals, at the time, were almost entirely composed of raw Death grunts. After composing their first song, "Lament of the Perishing Roses", the band changed its name to La Reine Noir and then to Theatre of Tragedy. They subsequently invited singer Liv Kristine Espenæs - Rohonyi's then girlfriend - to do female vocals for one song, but quickly invited her to join the band permanently.
Theatre of Tragedy’s debut release combined elements of Goth, Melodic Death and Doom Metal with an added touch of drama thanks in part to the duality of Raymond I. Rohonyi’s extremely brutal Death growl and Liv Kristine Espenaes’ ethereal soprano vocals, and the bands use of Early Modern English lyrics. With the accompaniment of Frank Claussen (guitars), Tommy Olsson (guitars/programming), Eirik T. Saltroe (bass), Hein Frode Hansen (drums) and Lorentz Aspen (synthesizer), Theatre of Tragedy orchestrates a different performance piece with each song, while the singers bounce dialogues off of each other and even at times portray different characters. With their 1995 self-titled debut on Massacre, Theatre of Tragedy won over Century Media Records, who then began licensing their albums for U.S. distribution.
In conclusion; Theatre of Tragedy’s self-titled debut is a classic Death-Doom Metal masterpiece full of Opera-like melodrama, brutality, and melancholy, featuring standout tracks like; "A Hamlet For A Slothful Vassal", "A Distance There Is", "Mïre", "Cheerful Dirge", and "Hollow-Hearted, Heart-Departed". — E.N. Wells
Critical Reception:
Sputnikmusic staff writer manosg stated; “Overall, Theatre of Tragedy is probably not the best or the most refined album in Theatre of Tragedy’s discography but it is a highly interesting work that influenced a number of bands that came after the Norwegians. The quality of music along with Dan Swano’s cold and dry yet fitting production, will probably be enjoyed not only by fans of gothic metal and The Peaceville Three but by those who seek highly atmospheric music for cold winter days or nights.”
Links to Artists, Albums, and Music Videos:
Click this link to listen to “Theatre of Tragedy” via Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/theatre-of-tragedy/1222135445
Click this link to listen to “Theatre of Tragedy” via Spotify: Theatre of Tragedy https://open.spotify.com/album/6fx8tvIqo3tLKPYY7nG5S3
Click this link to follow Theatre of Tragedy on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheatreofTragedy
Click this link to follow Liv Kristine on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LivKristineOfficial
Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells
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