Charon - "Songs For The Sinners" (Spinefarm)

Ah, Finland. Where would we be without the magnificent Gothic Rock/Metal scene that seems to be part of the Finns’ genetic make-up? There are too many quality bands that have come out of that scene to name here, but without a shadow of a doubt, Charon are one of the top, if not the only band you really need to know from there, incorporating all of the best traits from the scene into one, handy, melancholy, and highly talented package.

Songs For The Sinners is their fifth album, and the band have remained true to their signature sound yet again! Whereas for some bands, this would be seen as a detriment, Charon have a sound so powerful, melodic and melancholy that it is hard not to get swept up by their huge choruses and the overwhelmingly dark atmosphere they manage to produce.

Often compared to Finland’s leading Gothic Metal band – Sentenced (R.I.P. 2005) – Charon are actually much better, never allowing themselves to be too drawn into the gloom, and always retaining a healthy amount of catchiness. They also bear some resemblances to Poisonblack, Fall Of The Leafe, Sinamore, and For My Pain.

JP’s vocals are so full of emotion that you’ll often find yourself covered in goose-bumps. His choruses are never quite as large or catchy as Charon’s most famous hit, “Little Angel” (Downhearted, 2001), which saw the band take a bit of a more commercial sound, before they returned to their sombre moods for The Dying Daylights (2003) and this most recent record.

Best cuts: “Rain”, “Ride On Tears”, “Gray”, and the superb opening track “Colder” (wonderful female vocals at the start and harmonising elsewhere).

If you are familiar with the work of HIM, but find that Ville and crew have gone too far down the commercial, pop-Goth route, then I strongly recommend any album from Charon for you, despite the relative difficulty in getting hold of their albums in the UK (thank for Amazon!).

http://www.charon.cjb.net/