Love Is...? (Painfull Love - Atrophia Red Sun)

Member Name: Frankingsteins

Product:	Painfull Love - Atrophia Red Sun
Date:	31/01/08 (34 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Strong first release, and a very different sound from the band's later works.

Disadvantages: Derivative of the Katatonia sound, and lacks variety in the second half.

Later d/evolving into a harsh, industrial death metal outfit, Poland's Atrophia Red Sun released this surprisingly pleasant demo in 1995 that offers a substantial glimpse into the lighter road they might have travelled down, had things turned out differently. Bearing a distinct gothic sound influenced by the eighties, this is melodic doom metal that retains the death growls and occasional heavy riffs of metal, but is more accessible in the style of Katatonia. Or of the hordes of imitation bands that sprung up after the release of 'Brave Murder Day'; fortunately, Atrophia Red Sun has a distinct character of its own, even at this early stage.

These six songs are quite poetic and extremely melodic, led by soft electric guitars and catchy, gothic style drums for the most part before branching out into heavier climes on songs such as 'Poem,' but it's predominantly rooted in the romantic style of bands like Novembre, even if the emotion is a little less clear. 'Everything in One' attempts experimentation to mixed success, partly due to the limitations of the production quality on this low budget release, but it features some excellent guitar work with an acoustic section towards the end that resurfaces in several other songs, and a great melodic guitar solo that's one of the highlights of this album, even though it's pretty much ripped directly out of a Metallica song (I can't remember which).

'Love Is...' introduces female singing for a nice contrast before the style returns to the standard, and the rest of the demo plays out in much the same way. As a first recording this is a great showcase of this band's talent for melodic doom metal, so it's a real shame that they decided to turn their backs on it so soon and head for pastures far uglier.

1. Blazing Whispers
2. Everything in One
3. Love Is...
4. Old Fable
5. Poem
6. Painfull Love for Both of Us

Summary: Atrophia Red Sun's first demo (1995).