In My Time Of Dying - Pride & Fall

Pride And Fall are a Norwegian trio consisting of Sigve Monsen, Per Waagen and Svein Joar Auglaend Johnsen. In My Time Of Dying is their third full length release and comes after a rather trying time in their personal and professional lives, thus leading to a rather dark album that is not only reflected in the music and lyrics but also in the artwork to this album. The PR piece that came with the album says that they appear old and decrepit, but I think they're aiming for the zombie-like/undead look, with flaked skin and dark piercing eyes. They're a little angry by the look and sound of things.

The theme of this album appears to be the lack of control anyone has over events in their lives, sometimes stuff that happens to the protagonists, sometimes to people around them. My Little, for example, seems to be about the hope and love that someone has given the singer but who, as a depressive personality, needs help themselves to see the light and be able to breathe again. Depression in particular seems to be a major topic for this album, with the vocalist accepting his own and also trying to deal with someone else's. It's not taken lightly. On occasion, though, such as on The Burning Faith, the lyrics seem to make no sense at all and are written in English but presumably spoken in Norwegian.

I have to admit that it's taken me a bit of time to get into this album. I didn't really like that much at first, but it's now seeped into my consciousness. Some things were great from the start, the programmed rhythms and sequencing are top notch but it was just missing something for me, some sort of x factor that a complete piece of work needs to have. I thought it was the vocals, but I'm not really sure what I was thinking now as whatever reservations I had seem to have ebbed away.

Despite its dark matter, it's a very danceable album in places. A definite grower.

This review originally appeared on www.synthpop.net in early 2008