Album Reviews

"I'm fucking dead again," bellows Type O Negative mainman Peter Steele at the beginning of his band's latest album. Nothing could be farther from the truth, because on the un-aptly titled Dead Again, Type O Negative sound more alive than they ever have. Not only is Dead Again the band's best offering since their now-classic 1996 release, October Rust, but it also signifies an evolution for Type O. They completely embrace their hazy prog tendencies, and follow a strange path into sonic oblivion. The songs get long, especially on the latter part of the record, but this is a Type O album. Album opener "Dead Again" combines the thrashy punk edge of their early material with an epic rock and roll grandeur. It's one of the album's faster cuts, but it's the perfect jumpstart to the record. "Tripping a Blind Man" has a dirge-y, psychedelic buildup that explodes into a massive chorus. It's a song that reaches through the caverns of Hades as Josh Silver's snaky keyboard line crisscrosses Kenny Hickey's crunchy guitars. "The Profits of Doom" has "Black Sabbath" written all over it, and the riff coughs up a vibrant chug that could wake the undead. Elsewhere, "Halloween In Heaven" picks up the pace in the middle of the album with a chorus that could make any Hot Topic shopper wince. On Dead Again, Type O has struck a perfect balance on between the progressive goth jamming that made them famous and their understated, dry sense of punk humor.

"She Burned Me Down" and "Some Stupid Tomorrow" find Peter Steele crooning with more (dead) soul than ever. The songs are so infectious they only cement his status as the gothic Elvis. Then there's the last track, an epic and long firestarter entitled "Hail, and Farewell to Britain." It sees the band at their most adventurous and continues to push the limits. The new 2008 special re-issue of the album has got a DVD with a walloping Wacken Open Air performance. It features some incredible live renditions of old school Type O Negative classics "Christian Woman" and "Love You to Death." What's even better is Peter Steele's green priest color. Then there's an insightful little interview on the DVD, which makes it all the more worthwhile for fans that bought Dead Again upon its initial release.

Dying hasn't felt this good in a long time. Open up the coffin and hop in with Type O Negative, you'll never feel this alive.

Rick Florino
06.10.08