Sweden's Veni Domine is here with their third excellent effort. The band has now a new line-up after bass-player Magnus Thormann left. Gabriel Ingemarson does bass now and keyboard-player Mattias Cederlund was added. Spiritual Wasteland follows the Veni Domine line of albums well, though it's not as doomy like Material Sanctuary. It still has the characteristic sound of the band due to the high range of vocalist Frederik Ohlsson and the theatrical song-structures. Like on previous albums there's lots of atmospheres created by keyboards, orchestrations and choirs. This is not overdone, though. Only sometimes changes come too sudden while they're building up an atmosphere. Therefore, the music ain't easy to digest. There's also the normal variety of fast and slow, of heavy and mellow and of dark and mysterious. Spiritual Wasteland contains long songs that are simply beautiful. Just listen to Hysterical History or Dawn Of Time to get an idea. The booklet is okay too with photos from their 1996 Massacre tour used. For any fan of heavy progressive metal, this album may not be missed in your collection.
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #74Reviewed by Doug Van PeltIt's a shame that this band is still without retail distribution in the USA, after their Fall Babylon Fall debut on R.E.X. several years ago. Like its previous two albums, Spiritual Wasteland takes the listener on a gothic and classic metal journey. While there's not an obvious storyline, there is the consistent outlook of sorrow and faithful survival of believers in a cold and controlled…Dead Zine 1998Reviewed by D_ListerI don't see how to review this album without references to bands like Dream Theater, Fates Warning, and Queensryche (OK keep in mind I'm talking about their EARLY albums when they were still playing metal!) All secular bands yes, but that's because I've never heard any Christian band playing this style of music with this level of competence. They have that Dream Theater feel to their music…Dead Zine 1998Reviewed by SORGThe masters of "neo-classical, end of the world, doom, melodic power" metal are back! With what I consider their best disc to date! This release is doomier than their first (Fall Babylon Fall) and more accessible than their second (Material Sanctuary). The guitars are melodic, pristine, and technical. This should appeal to fans of Dream Theater and Fates Warning. The vocals have a ton of power…Similar sounding releases
2001Saviour MachineLegend III:I
1997Fates WarningA Pleasant Shade of Gray
2002The AwakeningRoadside Heretics
1995Vox DeiCiudad Distante
1994ApostlePrepare To Meet God
1998IlluminatorIlluminator
