Tomorrow’s Rain – Ovdan
AOP Records
Release Date: 19/04/24.
Running Time: 54:03
Review by Paul Hutchings
8/10
Back in 2020 Tel Aviv’s Tomorrow’s Rain was an unknown quantity. Although active in various guises since 2011, it was only in the year when everything ground to a halt that this unique outfit finally released music, the culmination being their impressive debut album “Hollow”. It had been a long time coming. As vocalist Yishai Sweartz notes, “Ovdan”, the band’s second release, has taken a lot less time to create. “… this album was written in two years while “Hollow” was more or less written for 14 years with many line-up changes, it makes “Ovdan” sounds different”.
Between “Hollow” and the release of “Ovdan”, Sweartz faced the biggest challenge of his life. Diagnosed with a severe heart attack on 12th March 2023, the singer underwent open heart surgery with three weeks in intensive care. Now recovered, he’s changed his approach in time for this dark album’s arrival. It’s unsurprising that “Ovdan”, which means loss in Hebrew is the chosen title.
“Ovdan”, like “Hollow”, features a plethora of guest musicians. The list is impressive with members of Mayhem (Attila Csihar), King Diamond/Mercyful Fate (Michael Denner), Sisters Of Mercy (Ben Christo), Sol Invictus/Death In June (Tony Wakeford), Dark Funeral (Andreas Vingback), Unanimated (Mickael Broberg), Depressive Age (Jan Lubitzki) and Anja Huwe (Xmal Deutschland) all featuring.
Although they wear the Death / Doom / Gothic labels, there is much more to their sound. The mournful saxophone that sounds throughout the opening track ‘Roads’ complements the dark, reflective vocals, and there is a blend of acoustic and electric guitars. The use of clean and growling singing gives it a definitive edge of despair. It’s the ideal introduction to the album and sets the scene for the variety that is presented to the listener over 11 tracks.
Traversing through the record, one must realise that this isn’t going to be a one time listen. The songs are intricately constructed, with plenty of subtle parts that require repeated listening. ‘Muaka’ for example, begins with some deliciously ethereal acoustic guitar but soon gives way to crushing riffs and the vocals of Mayhem’s Attila Csihar. It’s this contrast that makes “Ovdan” such an intense and complex listen.
There’s a dourness that one could at times swear echoed the likes of Leonard Cohen. ‘I Skuggornas Grave’ which features beautiful keys from Alex Karlinsky as well as Mickael Broberg from Unanimated and Anja Huwe of Xmal Deutschland is probably the best case in point. It’s difficult to describe the hollow melancholy that reverberates throughout this emotionally gripped song. In complete contrast, the Gothic darkness of ‘Turn Around’ featuring Michael Denner (Mercyful Fate) is a higher tempo with chunky riffs, solos that burst out of the clouds with clarity. ‘Convalescence’, a clear reference to Sweartz’s experiences is more of the sound that one might expect with Tomorrow’s Rain, but still merges melody with elements of blistering Death Metal as well as more fragile passages.
Two brief pieces lead to the conclusion of the album. ‘Rainbow’ ushers in some light to proceedings, the gentle meander of this instrumental providing an element of calm. This is followed by ‘Intensive C.U’, a narration accompanied by the background noise of an intensive care unit. Is it a thank you, or a reflection? You decide. The final piece is a Gothic Rock version of ‘Turn Around’ which sees Ben Christo from Sisters of Mercy and Denner feature. It’s a fitting flourish to an album that is likely to spend some time on repeat over the rest of 2024.
TRACKLISTING: 01. Roads (Feat. Andreas Vingback of Dark Funeral and Tony Wakeford of Sol Invictus) 02. Sunrise 03. Muaka (Feat. Attila Csihar of Mayhem) 04. Room 124 05. I Skuggornas Grav (Feat. Mickael Broberg of Unanimated and Anja Huwe of Xmal Deutschland) 06. Burning times (Feat. Jan Lubitzki of Depressive Age) 07. Turn Around (Feat Michael Denner of Mercyful Fate/King Diamond) 08. Convalescence 09. Rainbow 10. Intensive C. U.11. Turn Around – Gothic Rock Version (Feat. Michael Denner of Mercyful Fate/King Diamond and Ben Christo of Sisters Of Mercy) LINE-UP Yishai Sweeartz – Vocals Raffy Mor – Guitars Yoni Biton – Guitars Yaggel Cohen – Bass Nir Nakav – Drums Keyboards by: Alex Karlinsky |
LINKS
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Paul Hutchings and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.