Genre/Influences: Gothic, Experimental, Abstract.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: UK formation Vukovar is now active for a couple of years and released late 2020 their eighth album to date. “The Colossalist” is meant as the first chapter of the “Eternity Ends”-trilogy. The work deals with personal dramas and failures. 

Content: “The Colossalist” invites the listener to join in for a voyage of 11 tracks. After a rather chaotic debut song the work is progressively evolving into multiple directions. From pure Gothic-driven cuts towards a more Experimental approach (like shown at “The Higher Low), the songs are mixing guitar and electronics. I noticed a few more minimal-driven cuts wherein the atmosphere recovering the composition became more prominent.

+ + + : Vukovar is once more awakening some 80s ghosts, but this work moves further, like exploring different horizons and exorcising new ideas. The atmospheric side of the album is overwhelming, sometimes intimate and even reminiscent of a kind of Cabaret-style. The work stands for diversity, sometimes evoking early rehearsals in a cellar or garage and next being more accomplished with a mature production. One thing is for sure, Vukovar is doing their own thing.

– – – : Some songs are suffering from a lack of production and especially some of the debut songs are a disappointing. You can hear a poorly inspired production of the vocals on “Here Are Lions”.

Conclusion: If this album is meant as the first one of a trilogy, I can only hope the best is yet to come.

Best songs: “A Danse Macabre”, “End Of A Life Delirium”.

Rate: (6).

Artist: www.facebook.com/VukovarUK

Label: www.othervoicesrecords.com / www.facebook.com/pages/Other-Voices-Records/196767663702999