The 13th Floor is everything one should expect from a gothic metal band and more. Every track is both epic and depressive while leaving enough diversity for all to enjoy. There is a choir that performs on every single song that helps to give this album that “big sound” it creates so well. The female vocalist sings beautifully while the male guitarist/songwriter occasionally offers death metal growls. The guitar riffs are heavy and relatively simplistic while the keyboard performs complex melody reminiscent of early power metal. There are a few drum-blasting moments, but for the most part this is an album that induces that slow exaggerated head-bang. The production of the album has a very cleaned-up pop music sound and the lyrics follow the generic vagueness of bands like Linkin Park. This is probably due to the guitarist trying to write as asexually as possible, however it does cause a mainstream feel that may turn away several fans of gothic metal. Despite this, the album is still a heavy symphonic metal album worthy to reside in most collections. If Cradle of Filth had a love child with Evanescence the result might sound something like Sirenia. (Nuclear Blast, www.nuclearblastusa.com) Paul Nordin
Winnipeg music & culture since 1989