In the dimly lit corners of the musical underworld, where gothic rock/metal reigns supreme, emerge Finland’s legendary vampires, The 69 Eyes. With their newest studio album, “Death of Darkness”, this long-standing band proves that they are far from being locked away in their crypt. “Death of Darkness” resurrects the haunting allure and macabre charm that has defined The 69 Eyes throughout their illustrious 30-plus-year career.
Four years after “West End” and under a new music label, The Finnish gothsters have tried a different approach to the way they release their new music. They began by releasing singles on a regular basis. They eventually put out the “Drive” EP in 2022. Finally, they collected all of these songs and, along with some new ones, released their 13th full-length album.
The production is rich and fresh, with modern touches. The album was recorded and produced by Erno Laitinen at Inkfish Studios in Helsinki. Miles Walker took care of the mixing at Westside Sound Studios in Atlanta, Georgia alongside with Erno Laitinen, while mastering duties were handled by Tom Baker. Moreover, the enigmatic artwork was created by the UK artist Adrian Baxter (Paradise Lost, The Halo Effect, Mayhem, Schammasch).
Leaving aside the four tracks released prior to the album, “Drive”, “Call Me Snake”, “California”, and “Gotta Rock”, which have already captivated the band’s goth fans, the new six tracks add more variety to the album, making it more cohesive altogether. One of the fans’ new favorites is surely “This Murder Takes Two”, that features the renowned Kat Von D. Kat’s voice fits wonderfully with Jyrki’s deep voice, elevating the melodies to a new level. “Call Me Snake”, may have a “Vision Thing” (by Sisters Of Mercy) vibe, but it sounds nice, since it has The 69 Eyes trademark. “Dying in the Night” is an atmospheric gothic anthem, with some amazing melodies… a song that only The 69 Eyes can write. “Something Real” and “Outlaws” conclude the album in a moody and atmospheric way.
The band’s ability to capture the essence of gothic rock & metal and infuse it with their own unique flavor is admirable. Each song tells a story, bringing the listener deeper into the dark and seductive realm of The 69 Eyes. The album not only showcases the band’s growth and maturity, but it also demonstrates that The 69 Eyes remain at the forefront of the gothic rock & metal scene. Prepare to be seduced by the dark allure of The 69 Eyes and let “Death of Darkness” wrap you in its haunting embrace. Fans of gothic rock & metal music will be captivated by “Death of Darkness” at large.
