Origin : Sweden
Genre : Melodic Death Metal
Release : 2005
Album downloads only available to members
Album Info / Review
**Dark Tranquillity – *Character***
*Released: 2000 – Label: Century Media*
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### Soundscape
From the first chord, *Character* leans into that signature blend of melodic hooks and raw aggression that Dark Tranquillity perfected in the late ’90s. The guitars are crisp, with a bit more definition than their earlier sludge‑laden attempts. You hear the dual lead lines from Mikael Stanne and Anders Björler execute harmonized riffs that still scream death‑metal speed while nodding to early ’80s glam angst. The bass pads somewhere between a low end support and a counter‑melody, thanks to Anders Iwers’ penchant for melodic counterpoint. In the mix, El Anon’s drumming is tight—rides on the snare organized into a punchy halftime feel while the kick keeps a relentless forward drive.
The lead vocals retain Stanne’s raw, unfiltered rasp but with more controlled dynamics. He navigates the high notes with a power‑ballad sense that has become a Dark Tranquillity hallmark, which works hand‑in‑glove with the melodic liveries on the guitar. The track “Anyone” shows the full resolution, blending clean sections before thrusting into a storm of breakdowns that feel both classic and fresh.
### Atmosphere
The album’s atmosphere sits comfortably between the ‘thrash‑death onslaught’ of early grindcore and the more atmospheric metallic metallization of bands like *The Haunted* or *Nile*. There is a sense of restraint in the chaotic, as if the band has found an equilibrium between noise and melody that reflects the title—*Character*. The entire record feels like a story told in riffs and crescendos, fleshed out with occasional melodic solos that bring a sense of drama. The late‑night drift you feel flowing into the heavy guitars brings a clear edge: the album immerses you in a minimal yet relentless ambiance that stays exciting without losing its core root.
### Riffs
The main riff‑driving engine of the album is found in “Warm in Seconds” and “When the Hour Has Gone.” They showcase twin lead guitars weaving in and out, sustained by a nimble rhythm section. The eingangular nature of “Her Story” hits the listener like a delivered punch, while “Fight It” modulates in tempo and tension, keeping the listener on the edge. A couple of the riffs are straightforward, place a nod—especially safer on a balanced pitch. There’s a clear focus on how the guitar simmers, not just how the lyric does.
In *Character*, the heavy riffing does not feel like a repetitive hum; it’s like the band still wants to push boundaries. Each track boasts at least one fragment that stands out—a sugar‑coated 7‑part counterpoint or a frosted alto chord that shows that beyond the basic melody the band grasps a sophistication in making a hook sing.
### Production
The production works like a metal score – deliberately balanced. The drums sit in clarity, with a sharp foundation that the bass threads through. The guitars are layered, and the mix allows for interlocking leads without pulling debris through. You can hear the subtle mix changes that shift the tone backward, especially toward the end of tracks, adding a demanding complexity that defines how your standard feels. The engineering skill is subtle and delivered so the track doesn’t seem overproduced; instead, it keeps classic grit while delivering a reasonably clean understanding.
Possible drawback: the somewhat antiquated clean vocal approach can clash with the composed elements, but it’s overall a small catch‑all because the tech team delivered a clarity that allows every nuance to be appreciated. In the grand scheme, the production style is a direct confider of the era (for 2000) that captures the precision of the genre.
### Overall Impression
*Character* is a well‑wired and thematic record that showcases the Swedish band’s proficiency with melding melodic riffs, melodic clarion, and sheer force. The willingness to push their calculations on the arrangements and ad‑hoc group gives a taste that feels like they take a systematic approach to making music that stays in the public. The moments they flirt with a new direction show potential, while the foundation remains inside the ring.
So while the album doesn’t go out on a wild trajectory from the entry, it comes with a fitting confidence that it’s not a new generic formula. Everything in the array looks carefully contemplated—both as a display of methodical logic and as a sign that the music can be thoroughly built. If a melodic death‑metal fan is looking for a proper mixture with experience and rich in detail, stable yet vivid, the *Character* is a timely candidate.
