Green Carnation is turning a new page.
One year after the first chapter, Tchort (guitar, The 3rd Attempt, Blood Red Throne, ex-Carpathian Forest, ex-Emperor), Kjetil Nordhus (vocals, ex-Tristania, ex-Subterranean Masquerade), Bjørn Harstad (guitar, ex-In the Woods…), Stein Roger Sordal (bass/guitar/keyboards, ex-In the Woods…), Jonathan Alejandro Perez (drums, Trail of Tears, ex-Sirenia), and Endre Kirkesola (keyboards) are ready to unveil A Dark Poem, Part II: Sanguis.
We resume the trilogy with Sanguis, the longest of the album’s six tracks, which greets us with great fanfare featuring keyboards, drums, then the full instrumental section, and finally Kjetil’s vocals harmoniously joining the ensemble, whether in softness or intensity. There are also a few growls to be heard, but the song’s finale is ultimately quite plaintive, giving way to Loneliness Untold, Loneliness Unfold, which begins gently before Stein takes lead vocals, creating an intimate, minimalist acoustic atmosphere that shatters when Sweet to the Point of Bitter begins. The saturation immediately resurfaces, letting the leads carry our minds away while the rhythm section overwhelms us, tossing us about to the rhythm of its shifts, accelerations, and reprises, then I Am Time takes over with that signature prog groove. The acceleration, where guitar and keyboards call and respond, is particularly effective, creating a touch of madness within the song’s soothing atmosphere, which is also shattered by the melancholic sample from Fire in Ice, the next track that accelerates while remaining rooted in this darkness, particularly during the most aggressive passages that reflect the tense mood of this song. The sample returns, then leads us to Lunar Tale, where piano and clean vocals come together, followed by a guitar and Ingrid Ose’s flute, which gently lulls us toward the album’s conclusion and its silence.
As I noted regarding the previous album and first volume of this trilogy, Green Carnation offers a variety of tracks, which is highly appreciated. A Dark Poem, Part II: Sanguis continues in the vein of its predecessor, allowing us to patiently await the conclusion.
80/100