EP review: Tragedy In Hope “Smile at Death”
A Russian version of Cradle of Filth? Yes. Tragedy In Hope is extreme and yet melodic metal. It is dramatic, bombastic and very good.
Russia keeps producing very interesting and great metal bands. Tragedy In Hope from St. Petersburg is, while not unique, a very good band. The music on this new EP sounds like a Russian version of Britain’s Cradle of Filth. That’s not a bad thing. While they seemingly have taken their whole sound and image from Cradle, they do their own version very well. The “Smile at Death” EP sounds very similar to Cradle’s recent sound. It is extreme and yet melodic metal. It is dramatic, bombastic and very good. The roots are in symphonic black metal but the songs twist and turn and take off in many directions. The EP opens with the brilliantly haunting and creepy little piece “Alone in the Woods” before we get some serious mayhem in “Smile at Death” and “Pierce the Heavens”. “Grim Love Story” is an epic piece of music and the EP’s best song. The production is great. If you ever wished for a Russian version of Cradle of Filth, here you go.
