Pale Divine - Cemetary Earth review artwork

Rating: 9.6

Country: USA

Release Date: 2007

Track list:
1. The Eyes Of Destiny
2. Fire And Ice
3. Broken Wings
4. (I Alone) The Traveller
5. Cemetery Earth
6. Empyrean Dream
7. The Seventh Circle
8. Soul Searching
9. Shadows Of Death
10. The Conqueror Worm

Band Website: Pale Divine

Pale Divine - Cemetary Earth

Greg Diener- Guitars, Vocals
Darin McCloskey- Drums
John Gaffney- Bass

In one of the most exciting artistic metamorphoses in recent years, Pale Divine have valiantly resisted predefinition by defying expectation. Inhabiting that dubious nebula between mindbending acid rock and ponderous, doleful doom metal, Pale Divine have won considerable plaudits for plying guitar-driven, jam-happy variety of riffslingery saturated in tube-amp wholesomeness. In an aeon typified by artistic complacency, one might have expected Pale Divine to satiate popular sentiment with a distinguished but predictable record. Yet, while Cemetery Earth bears many of the sonic traits that have defined this visionary band, it will surely prove a revelation to the band's devotees.

Indeed, the band's propensity for wanton bouts of improvisation is downplayed in order to give full rein to the band's trad metal jones. True, such a transition might seem old hat to doom enthusiasts who have witnessed similar transformations (Grand Magus, Gates Of Slumber), but I assure you that spurning this masterwork on such flimsy grounds would be a grave error. A breathtaking amalgam of Sabbath, vintage Quartz, Manowar (the “Dark Avenger”, “Bridge Of Death” and “Battle Hymn” Manowar, no less), Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son Iron Maiden and One Foot In Hell Cirith Ungol the band bravely strays from the ‘70s USA Muscle Rock-siphoned-through- Trouble template that defined their earlier output.

This, of course, isn't to say that the guitar occupies any less space than before- Greg Diener, in my mind, is a near-peerless musician whose unmistakable approach infuses piquancy and tang to even the most skeletal arrangements. Ceaselessly creative and arrestingly melodic, Diener's organic synthesis of taste (his fill-intensive style never seeming obtrusive or ostentatious), feeling (some solos here are positively Uli Jon Roth or Schenker-ish in terms of tunefulness) and virtuosity is always a highlight on every Pale Divine offering. This time around, however, Diener's hyperactive guitar lines are supported by equally frenetic, yet thoughtful Geezer-meets-Arry basslines, both instruments meandering into unexplored sonic pockets while Darin's unfailingly steady Nicko-like drumming serves as bedrock for the band. Every detail on this record reflects great deliberation and artistic meticulousness- the songs have a more discernible, coherent structure that feels more compact and satisfying, the solos exhibit a more clearly-defined melodic intent, contributing greatly to the thematic thrust of each song, each aspect of the album is rendered subservient to the greater interest of creating lean, unforgettable songs.

Most notable, however, is the considerable improvement in the vocal department. I'm aware that many have suggested that Greg's voice is callous and workmanlike, and while it retains its characteristic grit throughout Cemetery Earth, the attention devoted to crafting anthemic vocal harmonies is truly laudable on monoliths like “(I Alone) The Traveller” and the title track. Yes, Pale Divine is so much more than an air-guitar band now, they are a band you can thump your chest to, a band you can wave your lighters to, a band you can croon along with, a band that assertively holds its own against any of today's true metal faithful. What makes Pale Divine such a magical proposition though, is the unswervingly organic earthiness that permeates and suffuses their sound. I hesitate to use to word “accessible” to encapsulate a band renowned for tangential jam-epics, but there is truly no other adjective that expresses the familiar solace one finds within the grooves of a Pale Divine recording. This album is absolutely SATURATED with warmth and personality, radiating the same hearty frequencies as your favorite Martin Birch production.

It is little surprise that multiple listens do not dull the acuteness of this album's savvy. Pale Divine have strained and filtered the extraneous sediment of their sound and crafted an album of absolute majesty. This album just works on every level- on the technical/cerebral plateau, it is the most consummate, focused expression of Pale Divine yet, but it is also their most viscerally arresting album to date. Bravo.

June 16th, 2007