Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Poisonblack - Escapexstacy - reviewed by: EC

Track Listing1. The Glow Of The Flames 2. Love Infernal Download 3. The State 4. All Else Is Hollow 5. In Lust Download 6. The Exciter Download 7. Lay Your Heart To Rest 8. With Her I Die 9. Illusion/Delusion 10. The Kiss Of Death

I was very excited to hear that Sentenced front man Ville Laihiala was involved in a side project. I have always been a huge Sentenced fan, and was hoping for that same kind of sound out of Poisonblack's debut album, Escapexstacy.

This record combines the cold, despairing sounds of newer Sentenced with One Second era Paradise Lost, mixed with the new edged sounds of Amorphis and End Of Green. Truly unique, mesmerizing, and very emotional, Poisonblack dwell heart and soul in a sadistic world of atmospheric loneliness. My main concern with this "atmosphere" however is that its too much, sometimes getting too caught up in its "cold dark place" and losing the listener all together. Massive heavy grooves inspire tracks like The Glow Of The Flames and Illusion/Delusion to go beyond the gloom and doom vibe, while sleepy tracks like In Lust and With Her I Die slow it down again (although both of those songs have soaring leads). Escapexstacy is a record that I consider cold-weather inspired, a wintery album thats dark and depressing with nowhere to go. Sometimes records like these are divine healing power to depressed souls already longing for a sea to drown in. If you are searching for a musical companion to share your occasional dark days, then Poisonblack is a valid candidate. Keep in mind misery always loves company.

--EC 1.27.03