October Rust - Type O Negative > Reviews > THE GREEN & GOTHIC.

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	Mixed
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money	Good

Advantages:	RELAXING & ATMOSPHERIC
Disadvantages:	BIT HEAVY ON THE PAGANISM,

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

The deep voice of Pete Steele, the lead singer of T.O.N (Type O Negative), is quite a phenomenon. He's like the Goth Metal version of Barry White (the large soul singer).
The incredulous lyrics of this album and that voice make it difficult to tell whether they take themselves seriously or not, at first. They don't.

T.O.N made it big with their amazing album, "Bloody Kisses", which features the amazing anthem of Goth femmes everywhere, "Black No.1", which is about the need to colour the hair with the hair dye. That song got so many people on dance floors at Rock clubs nationwide (and worldwide), that it would be very hard to beat in another album.

October Rust is a truly melodic masterpiece. Although arguably, not as iconic as Bloody Kisses. It makes up for that in it's substance.

I discovered the album because at the time I began visiting a Rock Nightclub called Bass Clef whilst they were playing Black No.1 as frequent requests to the DJ's there. On MTV's music channel, Kerrang, a programme called SuperRock used to play one of the tracks from October Rust, called "My Girlfriend's Girlfriend".

I thought it was a fantastic track-upbeat, catchy and rhythmic. It was a humourous dig at having two girlfriends who were lesbians. Although not Gothic as such, it was a good rock based dance track. It became quite addictive listening to it.

They started playing it at the Nightclub and it was a hit. It was requested nearly as much as Black No.1. Anyway, I decided to go look for it and bought the October Rust album.

The CD:

The front cover features green thorn branches on a black background, emblematic of the Pagan nature- worshipping theme of the album. The rear cover lists the tracks in an orange semi-Runic, Celtic font on a black background.

The CD disc is a silver and black display of silhouetted leafless trees and their branches. The inlay is probably the most beautiful I have ever seen. Photos of trees at different times of the year, photographed in all the seasons, some close ups of leaves also.

The night time photos I like. Very atmospheric. The lyrics of each track are in the same style of font but in beautifully different colours. Very artistic and beautiful. Makes a nice change from the blood and guts, horror and death of typical Gothic band artwork, I guess.

Compared to other Goth bands, like Siouxie and The Banshees, Sisters of Mercy or Paradise Lost, this album takes the essence of each and creates a different slant. The nature theme which predominates the lyrics of most of the tracks is counter balanced by the elemental love themes of hauntingly beautiful romantic melancholy.

Only another modern Goth Metal band has been able to capture the Nature/Celtic temperament: Within Temptation. MY favorite tracks on the album or should I say, what I think to be the best, are:

WOLF MOON
The most haunting and atmospheric track on the album. A werewolf longing for his werewolf love. The movie like feeling of the song transports you to feeling like you are in the woods at night, waiting for your...werewolf love. My favorite track.

GIRLSFRIEND'S GIRLFRIEND
As described earlier. Very catchy tune. Great time dancing to this with the goth chicks (ahem...females)

CINNAMMON GIRL
Nice bouncy track with a 70's feel. updated for the 90's

BE MY DRUIDESS
The Celtic Nature worshipping track that has some adult overtones but is very satirical. As Type O Negative are throughout the album.

BURNT FLOWERS FALLEN
A sad ballad of expressive sorrow.

RED WATER (CHRISTIMAS MOURNING)
This is good, but is so depressing. Very heartfelt.

Although the other tracks are good, I have listed the ones I liked the best. GREEN MAN was a bit weird -too pagan for my tastes, and DIE WITH ME is pretty upbeat and has some nice guitar work.

IN PRAISE OF BACCHUS is very well put together and I like the musicality of it, not too keen on the Pagan lyrics. A bit weird.

The album starts of with a high pitched noise that leads the listener into believing something is wrong. Then you hear laughter. Pete's little joke. He tells us that he hopes we like the album then the first REAL track starts...

T.O.N never take themselves too seriously, apart from when writing songs about a serious subject. This adds more charm to their appeal.

Overall an excellent album. If you like Goth Metal bands such as Nightwish and Within Temptation, then you may find this a bit simplistic but still enjoyable. If you are familiar with Paradise Lost and Sisters of Mercy, then you will love this.

Although I think T.O.N have mainstream appeal and I think that this is more Pop Goth Rock, than Hardcore Metal. It is mildly heavy in parts, but lends itself more to 80's heavy, rather than thrash or death metal heavy. I would give it 8 out of 10.

I bought this album from the main Rock music shop in the town called Spinadisc (for the sale price of £12.99.It was £14.99 retail), but it has closed down now. It is available in most big music shops for the same price or a little under that, but I suggest you get it off the internet. Ebay or Amazon.