Website: Before The Dawn
The Inside Pulse:
Since 2004’s 4:17 am, Tuomos Saukkonen has once again cycled out any other band members to release a project all of his own accord. With his previous efforts being complex but very dark and dreary, The Ghost steers away from this and concentrates more on a progressive death direction. This isn’t to say it’s a happy album by any stretch, but Before The Dawn is certainly reminding its audience that it’s not curled up in a corner and weeping.
Positives: Saukkonen remains a strong progressive songwriter; he’s manifesting it differently than before, but the old Before The Dawn style is clearly heard beneath it all. “Fade Away” and “Black Dawn” break out of any sort of rut created on the album, proving that Saukkonen has versatility. But most of all, The Ghost embodies emotion; those who hear it and can identify with it will surely treasure it as a window into their soul.
Negatives: Unfortunately, with a change in direction to focus on a death style, The Ghost loses the nuance held by its preceding releases. It’s hard to tell this Before The Dawn album from a slew of similar-sounding Scandinavian bands. The Ghost also suffers the same plight as 4:17 am in that while there’s a nice uniform atmosphere to the album, it causes everything to blend together and nothing in particular to stand out as memorable. Particularly, “Fade Away” and “Scar,” tracks one following the other, hardly sound different.
Cross-breed: In Flames and Soilwork snag a bit of My Dying Bride’s atmosphere, but only write one song and recycle it into an entire album.
Reason To Buy: While it’s not a particularly exciting offering, The Ghost will be appreciated by those seeking a kindred spirit.
