Candyland (Theatres des Vampires album)
| Candyland | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 14 October 2016 | |||
| Genre | Gothic metal | |||
| Length | 39:58 | |||
| Label | Scarlet Records | |||
| Producer | Christian Ice | |||
| Theatres des Vampires chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| New Noise Magazine |   link |
| Eternal Terror | 4/6 link |
Candyland is the tenth studio album by Italian gothic metal band Theatres des Vampires, released through Scarlet Records on 14 October 2016. Initially announced on 7 July 2016,[1] it is their first studio album in 5 years since Moonlight Waltz, and also their first release with guitarist Giorgio Ferrante, who replaced Stephan Benfante early in 2016. It is noticeably more guitar-driven than the band's previous releases with Sonya Scarlet on vocals, and its lyrics focus less on the vampiric and occult themes the band is famous for. A music video for the track "Morgana Effect" was uploaded to the band's official YouTube channel on 29 September 2016.[2]
The album counts with guest appearances by Moonspell vocalist Fernando Ribeiro and J.T.R. Sickert frontman Tiziano Panini (a.k.a. Billy T. Cooper), Scarlet's husband.
Track listing
[edit]All lyrics are written by Sonya Scarlet (except for "Photographic" by Vince Clarke); all music is composed by Scarlet and Christian Ice
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Morgana Effect" | 3:42 |
| 2. | "Resurrection Mary" | 4:15 |
| 3. | "Delusional Denial" (feat. Billy T. Cooper) | 3:09 |
| 4. | "Parasomnia" | 4:09 |
| 5. | "Candyland" | 4:03 |
| 6. | "Your Ragdoll" | 3:21 |
| 7. | "Pierrot Lunaire" | 3:16 |
| 8. | "Photographic" (Depeche Mode cover) | 3:35 |
| 9. | "Opium Shades" | 3:28 |
| 10. | "Seventh Room" (feat. Fernando Ribeiro) | 3:25 |
| 11. | "Autumn Leaves" | 3:35 |
| Total length: | 39:58 | |
Critical reception
[edit]The album has received mostly positive reviews since its release. Writing for New Noise Magazine, Grim Lord gave it 3 out of 5 stars, comparing its sonority favorably to Lacuna Coil, Theatre of Tragedy, The Dreamside and "the gothic metal/rock of [his] younger days". However, he also stated that "[he] didn't find Scarlet's vocal approach to be to [his] taste in most songs" ("Pierrot Lunaire" excepted, which he thought of as "one of the disc's main standouts"), and commented on the lack of "occult-/Lilith-/Lucifer-style lyrics" as being "a kind of a drag".[3] Matt Coe of Eternal Terror webzine rated the album with a 4 out of 6, and stated that "Candyland has multi-level appeal and should satisfy the long-timers while hopefully attain some new followers along the way".[4]
Personnel
[edit]- Sonya Scarlet – vocals
- Zimon Lijoi – bass guitar
- Gabriel Valerio – drums
- Giorgio Ferrante – guitar
- Fernando Ribeiro – vocals (track 10)
- Billy T. Cooper (Tiziano Panini) – vocals (track 3)
- Francesco Sosto – keyboards, arrangements (track 7)
- Luca Bellanova – keyboards, arrangements (track 11)
- Elisa Pezzuto – backing vocals
- Christian Ice – production, mixing, mastering
- Daniele Pompei, Luca Cavallari – photography
