At last! Another album from Prague, Czech Republic, gothic rock band Cathedral in Flames, and this time a full album! The last we met was back in 2020 with 'Children Of The Blackest Hole'. Nice to know the lineup is basically the same - Phil Lee Fall - lead vocals; Gatsby - bass, keyboards, guitar, programming; Billac de Ville - guitars; Ambra Von Bernstein - backing vocals, with additional guitars by Pavel Marcel. What I like about these folks is that they're unabashedly goth, while other dark music outfits seem stigmatized by such direct genre classification. First track, "Deep Grave" is an over-the-top rocker with Mr. Fall's deep, gravelly voice steering this ghost ship valiantly into the maelstrom. There's a lot to unpack sonically on this one so it is certainly worth more than just a listen. Radio chatter heralds "Summertime," an upbeat anomaly for a goth band, but a good one. Nice harmonies on this one. "Penetrate Me" has a lot more going for it than your average gothic rock song, and although with all they've got going on, the hook gets a little lost, it has this old school charm that can't be denied. It's nice they do a break with just the vocals and minimal musical backing so you can really understand what they';re saying.

"The Gate" showcases more of Ambra's vocals in the beginning, a really good thing. This song oozes gothic atmosphere and just may be the best song on the album. Where else would you expect a song titled "Not Another Vampire Song" but on a gothic rock album. There are elements that keep this one from being just another gothic song about vampires, and I'm hearing a definite Sisters of Mercy influence on this one. Ambra is given the lead on "Steam Punk Queen" and it's a refreshing change of pace. Pretty cool song too. The slow number on 'Count To Nine' is "Dreaming In The Witch House" and I don't know how Phil Lee Fall's vocals could go any lower in pitch and still sound melodic. I'd like to mention that all the vocals sound very Euro, quite unlike anything produced here but what else would you expect? "Pale Rider" is kind of like crossing Fields of the Nephilim with Wall of Voodoo, an interesting combination. Ninth track on the album (get the title now?) is "Release The Pain," a capable closer. I just noticed by reading the band's Bandcamp site that the album was produced by Gatsby and Jon Fryer, and mixed by Fryer as well. You may remember him from the 4AD label and This Mortal Coil, but he has worked with many in the general goth/industrial genres including Nine Inch Nails, Gravity Kills, Clan of Xymox, etc., etc, so the production is spot on. There is little to not like about this album (although I think they need a real drummer) and I'd buy it in a heartbeat if I didn't already have it. (Thanks for the T-shirt too guys; I will wear it proudly.) You should too if you love good gothic rock, and I recommend the red vinyl. Costs a bit more but worth it.