Finally! Many Kill The Romance fans will utter a deep sigh of gladness and excitement. This band has been one of the most praised during the last years and their first full-lenght was more than highly anticipated. After one demo and two EPs ("Logical Killing Project" -2005, "Cyanide" -2006) the Killers of Romance hailing from Lahti inked a deal with the Spanish Locomotive Records.

The sound of the band could be settled somehow as Melodic Death Metal with thrashy elements. However, the thing Kill The Romance have always been appreciated for was this literally killer mixture of melodic heaviness and catchy sound structures.

As soon as the first song "I'm Alive"  hits the player you start to understand why this band is on everyone's lips. With all its playfullness and almost poppy hook lines the combo is a real treasure by not suiting only the Heavy guys, but also the Rock babes. The man behind the mic, Ville Hovi, is more than a blessing. His voice is a gift and by the time his name could be a trademark for Finnish Metal music.

Unfortunately there's a defect, that I can't just gloss over. It's not as some say the album might get boring after the first shots, 'cause that's really not the point. It's more the fact that there's only four new songs out of eleven, the rest already appeared on former releases. Furthermore, it all has been recorded newly and sounds kinda used, in a cruel way. I was honestly shocked to hear the strongest songs "Friend" and "Dark Filth Water" in this new coat, which isn't compatible with my ears already being familiar with the old versions. The question, why they didn't add the powerful "Demons In Me" is nothing more than a sad bonus.

For new listeners and those who don't mind about the new versions, this album is truly a gift of the Metal God, since it's also lyricswise of high quality! For those who were more into the old versions I recommend listening to the EPs and waiting for the new album. It will be in any way worth it.

7,5 / 10

Alexandra Zischow - 08.07.2007