Moonsorrow - Varjoina Kuljemme Kuolleiden Massa

We had to wait until march to get to the first candidate to be album of the year. Well, actually 2, since new Burzum is already around, but we'll get to that when it's time.

Varjoina Kuljemme Kuolleiden Massa proves that Finland and the Nordics in general keep leading the metal styles with more than 2 words on their name. In this case, melodic-death-ambient-folk-metal; ok, I made that up, but I'm sure it's something similar.

The album is hard to describe. It consists of 7 songs, with 4 long ones and 3 shorter tunes in the middle as a transition from one anthem to another. Basically, it's something on the style of Burzum: powerful guitars, death vocals and some folk parts that show up under the general tone without breaking the grim spirit.

Although the album does not feature a single low moment, "Huuto" is the point where it takes off to an even higher level. A long anthem that visits powerful and soft moments and it makes you wish it never finishes.

Don't listen to this if you're mainly (and only) into brit-pop or ska-punk, but if you feel open minded let Moonsorrow take you into a trip you'll never forget.

Rating: 9/10.

Best moments: Huuto.

Goodbye Credibility

To be frank, I wasn't even going to review this. It'll be fast, though, so why not.

The most used adjective when referring to this album before its release was "mature". It was hard to believe that, but the album surpassed any of our expectations; on the wrong direction, unfortunately (and that comes from someone that enjoyed "The Best Damn Thing").

The promised return to the style of Let Go has turned into a transvestism of styles, in a total "Girlfriend" meets "I'm with You". Go and check out "Smile" or "Push".

The albums goes way downhill from the start with the laughable "Black Star" and the single "What the Hell". At least it doesn't hide its intentions. Luckily, it isn't as stupid and kind of takes off at some points: "Wish You Where Here" actually reminds of better times for Avril and "Smile" actually has a great chorus, but you have to survive the atrocious verses to reach there. After that, you get some hit and miss mid-tempo ballads until the end.

Goodbye Lullaby brings a couple of questions to the table. Did Avril actually write the songs (at least the lyrics) for her first two records? If so, did she write the songs/lyrics for this record? If so, we must conclude she's not only not maturing with age, she's also becoming stupid with the years. Maybe we'll have to ask on her forums.

Rating: 4/10. Uninspiring and totally forgettable.

Best moments: The "Bad Reputation" cover (only if you bought the special ed., if you bought the regular one I feel bad for you).

Time to review some real stuff now that we got this out of the way.