The Summary Judgment Reviews:
Title: Blessing in Disguise
Artist: Green Carnation
Label: Season of Mist
Release Date: 6/17/03

Rating: 5 Skulls
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    • Abyss' Review:
    Green Carnation return after their masterpiece, Light of Day, Day of Darkness, with a more traditional album. Traditional meaning it actually has separate songs, unlike their last record, which was just one long, ambitious track. They've also changed their style slightly, as they've purged almost all of the metal out of their sound, centering on catchy melodies and accessible choruses.

    Now if that makes you want to run screaming into a bloody rampage... well go ahead, I'm always in the mood to witness a good bloody rampage - but you shouldn't be upset. Fact is, this is a great record. It reminds me of later Pink Floyd and early 80s Blue Oyster Cult, but the songs are succinct and effective, stirring emotion as well as creating interest in its understated musicality and integrity. While I understand why the mainstream music industry ignores most of the music I really love, I don't know why they'd pass on this. Hell, if they can make the masses view U2 as an important, anti-commercial band, imagine what they could do with this! And this does have the potential for commercial appeal. Even more so than their peers like Katatonia and Opeth.

    Another thing I appreciate about this record is its ability to craft distinct songs while sticking to the same basic formula. While the band doesn't stray from its sound, each song is diverse and recognizable, the mark of outstanding songwriting. These guys can stay within the same parameters without running out of ideas. In fact, the album becomes more and more endearing the more times you listen to it - I can't imagine getting bored of it.

    While I still think I like the previous album better, this one is just as ambitious, just in a different way. While the average brutal death metal fan might turn up his/her nose, those of us who are fans of music in general will be able to spend countless hours enamoured with this sound. One word review: Blissful.
    5 out of 5
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