Green Carnation-A Dark Poem, Pt I: The Shores of Melancholia

Norwegian progressive metal stalwarts Green Carnation never seem to disappoint. Their new album, due out on the 5^th of September is the first in a trilogy. This first episode is entitled “A Dark Poem, Part I: The Shores of Melancholia” and the intention is to release all three parts over 2025 –2026. That should have any long-time fans of the band drooling with anticipation.

This first part contains six tracks over 42 minutes, with no short songs. To my knowledge Green Carnation don’t do many short songs. Indeed, their second album ‘Light of Day, Day of Darkness’ released in 2001 contains a single 60-minute-long title track. There is nothing approaching that length on this album of course but all bar one track are over 6 minutes long.

Another reason to get excited about this new release is that it is only the second album since their 2007-2014 hiatus. The tag line for this album is: Rebirth doesn’t occur overnight, nor can it exist in a vacuum.

Founder member guitarist Ter Vik Schei (a.k.a. Tchort) is the only person remaining from the original lineup. There have been many members over the years, but the lineup has remained unchanged since 2019.

As for the subject matter across this album, bassist and songwriter, Stein Roger offers an explanation. To quote; “A Dark Poem is a collection of songs that explore feelings of alienation in existential questions and down to the very inner self.” So, this musical journey is also going to involve some soul searching.

That journey begins with ‘As Silence Took You’, a retrospective reflection on the relationship with the song writer’s late mother. These opening seven minutes are powerful, sombre, catchy, varied and already you know you are in capable hands.

I challenge anyone to stay absolutely still during ‘In Your Paradise’, the lively infectious rhythms make it impossible. Unusually, the verses provide the catchier parts with the choruses creating a time-out from those contagious rhythms. Other sections are more dramatic with others being embellished by beautiful flute from Ingrid Ose.

The following pair of tracks are like chalk and cheese as they say. There is a strong influence of Pink Floyd at play in ‘Me My Enemy’, making it laid back and slightly mournful. The hook lines include “It’s me my enemy” and “I’m not living, I’m just alive”. Ingrid Ose also contributes her skill on the flute again.

Conversely, the inclusion of Grutle Kjellson (Enslaved) who provides harsh vocals in ‘The Slave That You Are’ brings a sharp change. It’s such a jarring change that on the first play I had to check I was still listening to the same album.  It is fast and fierce but when the softer melodic chorus slides in it’s like the sun suddenly appearing on a cloudy day.

After that little outburst it’s back to the normal style for the title track. Unsurprisingly ‘The Shores of Melancholia’ is another excellent song. It’s a track that feels mysterious and moody, which matches the evocative cover art from former Dark Tranquillity guitarist Niklas Sundin.

They saved the longest track until last as many bands tend to. Running out the last nine minutes or so of the album ‘Too Close to the Flame’ is the perfect finale. The lively rhythm leaves you with a warm feeling despite the deep and sometimes dark nature of the album. Charismatic singer Kjetil Nordhus gets a break for two minutes in the middle of the track as the instruments (plus percussion from Henning Seldal) take over.

So here endeth the first chapter, but happily the message is “to be continued”.

There’s an old English saying regarding London Buses; “You wait ages for one, and then two come along at once”. That’s how it feels about this trio of albums from Green Carnation. Both circumstances are of course welcome. The next one will be along before you know it, and apparently it will be a different style to the first. This is an automatic inclusion into my album of the year short list. It’s very easy to get into this material and subsequent listens doesn’t diminish the enjoyment at all.

Track list:

1. As Silence Took You
2. In Your Paradise
3. Me My Enemy
4. The Slave That You Are
5. The Shores of Melancholia
6. Too Close to the Flame