DiEversity

I don't think this is necessarily a bad album. To be honest, Entwine are actually very listenable on DIEversity, and although you could do way better, there's nothing garishly or especially awful on this album, although the vocalist does tend to grate on my nerves at times. It's simply listless and unexciting radio rock, without any huge innovative spark or creative nuance or even any variation in tempo to spice it up, and there are too many songs that don't do anything to make you sit up and take notice, being a calculated bore-a-thon of power chords and harmonized vocals fit for your local radio station. This basically sounds like Threshold except without any of the shimmering technicality or songwriting power that band displays, and also with really shitty "emotional" lyrics, too. The whole package reeks of commercial leanings, and there is far too much focus on the vocals and not enough on the guitars.

I guess the best way to describe this music isn't that it's soulless, but rather that the band didn't seem to be trying here, simply shooting for mainstream success while still having the instrumental talents for much greater than this. I can definitely here the restrained chops that the band seem to be trying to hide here, and there are a fair few moments where they really start to rock - the riffs in the middle of "Someone to Blame" and "Six Feet Down Below," the last minute or two of "Refill My Soul," the opening riff and scream on "Nothing's Forever," and the piano sections in various songs - but then the band seems to realize what they're doing and revert back to radio-rock drollery, complete with plastic choruses for the kiddies, and the whole thing goes to shit.

If Entwine could get their shit together and write some more inspiring songs, as I know they can do, then I'd love to hear it. But until then, this is mediocre and pretty disheartening when push comes to shove. Not recommended.

Originally written for http://www.metalcrypt.com

"Entwine" have gone through a lot of scrutiny. All of their albums being somewhat different, and accepted extremely different as well. This was showcased very weel with the poor reception of their album Gone. But, this is one that you simply cannot pass up.

It's hard to believe, sometimes, that these guys started out as a death metal act, and quickly changed their style over to goth rock. Well, this one kind of prooves that there was something else. The album contains the same type of music as the last few, but seems to be progressively harder then other attempts. It's most noticable on 'Bitter Sweet' and 'Someone To Blame'. At first listen, you think that this is another extreme metal album thrown out to the world. Untrue.

On closer inspection, yes, the album is heavier then most gothic rock outfits out there, leading this into the gothic metal section. The lyrics that seem to adorn all their releases - the somewhat beautiful, yet somewhat simple lyrics - are here still as well. Some of the songs are kind of slow as well, but we won't hold anything against them with the album, as they sound amazing. The vocals kind of shoot down the feel of the songs though.

But, no matter what, this new one definately has something for all fans to check out. From begining to end, you are impaled with various metal elements stitched together into a gothic tapestry of beauty and simplicity. Not quite the best album you will hear, but very ingenious in it's own accord. So, don't get lured in at first glance. It's much more then a mainstream sounding metal band. Oh no. It's a billiantly concocted harmonious metal album that will sweep you off of your feet from begining to end. A must have for metal fans!