Tristania – Rubicon

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Rubicon isn’t only the first album from long-running goth metal stalwarts Tristania with new singer Mariangela Demurtas, but also the first album with an almost completely new line up. Only two of the bands original members are left, guitarist/growler Anders Hidle and keyboardist Einar Moen, with this recording featuring both new members and recurring session players. A fresh set of ideas and a new lease of life might have been what Tristania needed and whilst fans will no doubt be missing Vibeke Stene’s prolific operatic tones, they probably won’t be too disappointed with this new effort. Alas, Dermurtas herself doesn’t get too many opportunities to shine, with the band’s multitude of male singers quite often taking the lead instead. Despite this, when she does get her moment in the spotlight her much lower tone sounds full of distinct character that might separate her from the pack. Unfortunately nothing about the album itself is particularly grabbing. All the components of a good band are well and present, and there is certainly diversity in the album in part due to the range of singers and singing styles but it never quite takes off. The exception would be Amnesia, a sweeping and anthemic piece that fully uses Dermurtas’s emotive voice against her male counterpart. Ultimately though, Rubicon feels like a mostly average album that merely hints at the band’s actual potential, and one that will be quickly forgotten.

Written by James Donovan
More: 2010, Albums, Female-fronted, Quick.Play Reviews, Tristania