Let me begin by saying that this is not your typical post-punk/goth rock album, not by a long shot. 4 years after their last full length, "Here Lies", Astari Nite have broken serious ground with the ambitious new album, "Resolution of Happiness". A perfect combination of 80's post-punk and Batcave influences mesh with 90's nuances in a picture perfect synchronicity. "Double Feature Matinee" kicks off the album, and launches the standard right out the gate. Dark and ambient synths lurk in the background as the percussion booms. This carries on right into the next song, "Necessity Meal", which I wrote a detailed review when it was released as a single. "Tongue Tied Galore" continues to carry the standard even higher, as it ups the tempo with some blazing guitar work to fuel the fire of the song. "Bowie in Daydreams" sees singer Mychael channel the legend himself, as he croons his way through a surreal soundscape masterfully crafted by his bandmates. Mychael in particular has seen such incredible growth as a frontman and singer, as his signature vocal approach now carries hints of both Bowie and the sneering growl of Rozz Williams. What really sets this album apart from other releases we have seen recently is the fact that, yes, there are classical elements to the compositional approach, but they have been amplified to the nth degree. This is a beautifully noisy album; not subdued like most releases in this genre. Each decibel of din is gloriously and meticulously crafted. The drums are punishing, the guitars are more distorted and lack the usual jangle, and the bass grooves and bumps, almost completely devoid of the staccato march so common in post-punk. What Astari Nite have done is nothing short of a masterpiece, and a masterclass in song writing. "Resolution of Happiness" is the logical next step of evolution in the goth rock scene, and Astari Nite are the shape of what is to come.
Standout Tracks: "Tongue Tied Galore", but really, the whole album from front to back.
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