Returning to the metal stage from their lonesome and windswept homeland of Varmland, Sweden, Tribulation are back with another piece of gothic metal that is vampiric in nature and has wholly abandoned all the death and blackened metal elements of their earliest work.
Hamartia has set the band in metaphysical stone as the leading force in the goth metal world – goth metal that doesn’t lean towards the typically European melodies and symphonic milieu that gets it confused with the symphonic scene from those of us more suited to the extremer end of the metal world.
The band’s sixth EP opens with a six-minute piece covering the impending tragedy of death and its omniscience in all aspects of life no matter how we as fearful beings try to hush it up and not face facts. Tribulation have made such a reflective ode a matter of beauty that wouldn’t look out of place in a 19th century piece of gothic literature – one that shines well in juxtaposition to the album artwork referencing the garden of Eden.
Second track “Axis Mundi” continues the bands overarching themes of ghoulish horror with percussion that reminded me of chains and shackles in the bowels of grand castles across medieval Europe and the stories of torture and murder that have made Elizabeth Bathory a notable name in the dark side of history.
“Hemoclysm” is the longest track of the album but the more forgettable of the setlist, only in the sense that it didn’t quite stay in my memory for as long as the other two, so I won’t say much on it other than it was a decent filler as I didn’t lose focus when listening.
But, if you’re looking for an album closer that will have you suddenly wanting to listen to the whole EP again, then these lads from Sweden have got you covered. Psychedelia and progressive rock are both genres that had a major influence on gothic rock in its earliest forms and Tribulation have paid tribute to one of the most influential and quirkiest of bands whose output has gained followings in nearly all rock and metal scenes: Blue Oyster Cult.
Their cover of the 1981 piece “Vengeance (The Pact)” combines shrieking wails and clean melodies of traditional heavy metal and hard rock that puts a gothic edge on a piece of science fiction inspired classic rock. If you are one who has a liking for gothic science fiction or pulp fantasy novels as well as gothic music like me, then I cannot recommend this EP enough for how Tribulation knew how to close it off with this extremely memorable cover.
Tribulation have found themselves in terms of sound and aesthetic and Hamartia secures their seats at the head table of the European gothic metal committee, making them a force with a firm grip on the contemporary milieu of dark alternative music.
(7/10 Demitri Levantis)
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