The Summary Judgment Reviews:

	Title: Time of Despair Artist: Entwine Label: Century Media Release Date: 6/25/02 Rating: 4 Skulls
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Reviewed by Grindkrusher (8/30/02):
This is easily Entwine's best album. I thought Gone was ok, but this one is catchy as hell. Definitely file under "Goth Rock" with comparisons to HIM, Moonspell (no growl vocals), Charon, and To/Die/For.

Reviewed by Requiem (8/28/02):
While first hearing Entwine on Nuclear Blast's Beauty and Darkness compilation last year, I knew they were right up my alley. I quickly got a hold of Gone, their Century Media debut, which consisted of a Katatonia meets To/Die/For style. Right from the get go it was clear that they had their niche in the goth metal world, rocking their suicidal hymns in a driving, keyboard-heavy fashion, with a vocalist that had a unique tone and catchy melodies. Although containing inadequate testosterone levels for a majority of the U.S. audience, I ate it up and eagerly awaited the follow-up.
That brings us to Time of Despair, which is not a far stretch from the last, but slightly more candy coated this time around and adorning a crushing heavy production. The guitars are amped up with an earth shattering bassiness that still remains clear in the end. This in turn, makes the driving rhythmic sections forceful enough to create a satisfying differentiation against the more melodic moments. Mika's singing has reached new heights with more confidence and range than ever before. It's clear that the simplified rhythms give this man the spotlight he so righteously deserves. He even has a duet with a female vocalist which was a successful and daring move into ballad territory. As a whole, Entwine have proven to be the cream of the crop in Finland and I hope they see some payback soon.
Those who can dig the sounds of To/Die/For, Katatonia, and the goth rock phenomenon better apply here if they haven't already. If you are stuck in heavier than thou mindset, maybe you'll find some value in the goth rock realm at a later stage in life. I haven't abandoned my love for brutality, but rather have expanded my tastes, and I'm glad I have. Without such growth I would have never discovered Entwine.

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