I have always stated, and always will, until no one is left to hear these statements of mine, that metal is first and foremost - an alternative, within the realm of thought usually, because in other ways we cannot really manifest the ideas it generates in us, not on this planet, not within the post-modern dogma of standards and ethics, and being such, it has to stand against anything offered to us by the popular and/or fashionable 'shiny happy people' out there. It seems that every band signed to a major label, and releasing albums year after year, is losing, in the end, the real essence behind the metallic thinking. Bands like these may play 'metal' as a style, but are in no way 'metal' in their spirit, if there ever was such a thing. 'Metal', as a concept, with no true sense behind it to support its abstract structure, will eventually crumble and disappear into thin air. Looking at the so called metal underground, a true critic of this could easily notice there is not a real underground. All we see are the big names of the metal 'industry' being mentioned again and again by half-witted fans from all over the world. A perpetual vicious circle of the more popular outfits, being praised and consumed by the masses, time and time again... And what about the true metal underground, you may ask? What about the more obscure, anonymous bands, in which the true spirit and originality still burn bright? The question can easily be answered by bands such as Serenade, that even though this would be its third studio album, I wonder why I, nor the majority of this pathetic scene, has never heard of its existence before...In the writing process of these very lines, I have been listening to the album 'The Serpents Dance' for the tenth time maybe, and getting the CD out of the player would be hard a task for me, and I'll try to explain why soon enough...Established in 1994, Serenade has undergone several style changes, and has developed its sound and style to finally record something which may be referred as maybe its best album yet. Serenade is equipped with a vocalist whose voice is not only powerful and dynamic, but also full of charisma. In my never ending search for the best products of the underground and all the magic it contains within its dark realms of sounds and mind-eye's views, I rarely stumble across bands such as this, who deliver something which is regarded by me as art, and not only music. The art Serenade executes is both noble and fair, as if a snow-white swan has opened it mouth to voice his lamentations, almost a fresh and sweet gust of ocean air...This is one of those albums that seize one's soul and don't let go, and you don't even sure why...It is by no means a complex or innovative album, nor is it a record breaker nor earth-shaker by any category. It is none of the above, but it is pure and true, basic and refined, or to put it in another way: It is music that comes from the heart, and enters any other heart (that is, if you still possess one in the first place...). This music is soothing and caressing and on the same breath thunderous and powerful; From the semi-oriental opening, to the instrumental 'The March Of Darkness', a simple yet beautiful requiem played both by a violin and a piano, as well as the melancholic guitars - are all elements of a whole musical experience that is not only beautiful in its own unique and exquisite way, but also euphonic to the hilt. Fewer are the bands that manage to create music that can easily filter through into one's soul, music that is capable of awakening us from our eternal winter-slumber, music which possesses enough a power to almost transcend the human body to the next phase of evolution: half matter, half spirit, to bring us close to godhood...This is the music of Serenade. With Rayner Coss's deep and abrasive, yet wonderfully coherent vocals, accompanied by a guitar whose sound is almost distortion-free, Serenade draws a huge musical picture, using a canvas of epic proportions, leaving a musical piece of art that is both extremely emotional and bleak...The unique exploitation of the band of the potential hidden in the magnificent tool of the trade i.e., the guitar, and exploiting this potential to the maximum, the band says so very much by using these tool, in tongues that can only be expressed or understood by music and music alone. Serenade's guitars sometime weep, sometime roar, a vast musical rainbow is generated by it, not in a technical kind of way, but in the most important way of them all: The emotional one. One could hear some Katatonia touches ('Brave Murder Day' mostly), some could hear the unique guitar playing of Opeth maybe, but there is not, in any way, an artistic theft of any kind whatsoever, but rather a special and wise individualism, both sensual and humane, sweet and sour...This is one the most beautiful (you must read it as it is: Full of beauty!) albums I have recently listened to, filled with emotion, atmosphere and majesty...It touches almost the British doom-metal school, as well as some death metal, but most of all it is gothic, not in terms of style, god forbid, but rather in the mysterious and mystical ambient its angelic sounds create. This album is highly recommended to those who seek for higher than average musical and textual levels, quality that will touch the hidden parts behind the physical body, for those who think that a unique blend between paradise Lost ('Lost Paradise' and 'Gothic' eras), The Blood Divine, Katatonia and Opeth - are their cup of tea. This is an album for you! As for the others, well, what can I say that haven't yet been said?...

© 2002 c. drishner