Like Mascara in the Rain, Ahh (Bleed The Grey Sky Black - Bella Morte)

Member Name: Frankingsteins

Product:	Bleed The Grey Sky Black - Bella Morte
Date:	15/02/08 (14 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Modern gothic rock that everyone can enjoy, even pretentious bigots like me.

Disadvantages: Lighter and poppier songs are disappointing compared to the more experimental offerings.

The most recent album from Virginia gothic rock band Bella Morte is an effective combination of light gothic, rock and electronic elements that follows a distinct pop sensibility but is surprisingly enjoyable even for someone as pompously "alternative" as me, though I wouldn't admit it to my metal friends. The rock, pop and electronic elements are all merged in each song, which leads to an inevitable watering down of each but results in an accessible and wide-reaching sound that successfully conveys a mixture of emotions. I can't believe I'm saying all of this, I bet the lead singer wears eyeliner and everything.

With the exception of the more pop-centric songs like opener 'On the Edge' and the closing section of the album, the music here is all nicely varied and even a tad progressive. The dominant sound is a medium tempo, keyboard- and vocal-led, inoffensive pleasantness that's frequently enjoyable, and Andy Deane's vocals sound similar to HIM and other contemporary gothic bands, albeit with a gruffer and more masculine edge, balanced out by a less enchanting whining singing style in the choruses reminiscent of emo. The progression of most songs involves the incorporation of further electronic elements as they move towards a conclusion, but there are some real treats in the form of the rocking 'As the Storm Unfolds' and 'Bleed Again,' which feature fast, energetic and half-decent guitars in place of the usual backing riffs. There are even guitar solos in songs like 'Torn' and 'The End Ahead,' but just like the commercially viable electronic elements, this is all kept within the boundaries of popular taste rather than the band's earlier deathrock stylings.

It's not all bouncy excitement, in fact most of the album is relatively calm and downbeat outside of the overly optimistic choruses, and some of the softer attempts with 'The Alone' and ballad 'Dust' just end up fairly boring. More enjoyable is the cover of 'Earth Angel,' not because it's a particularly good cover (it's adequate and uninspired at best), but because the song always reminds me directly of the only place I've ever heard it in 'Back to the Future,' as an increasingly transparent Michael J. Fox faces a fate of temporal oblivion unless his dorky dad makes a move on his mum (on Marty's mum I mean, not his own mother; there's nothing Oedipal about that film, unless I've missed something). The greatest achievement of this album is that it's a modern gothic rock album that manages to be musically accomplished, and doesn't make me hurl.

1. On the Edge
2. Torn
3. The End Ahead
4. The Alone
5. Ghost Land
6. Dust
7. As the Storm Unfolds
8. An Enemy Without
9. Bleed Again
10. Earth Angel
11. Grey Skies Black
12. Haunted

Summary: Bella Morte's sixth album (2006).