When I think of French heavy rpck or metal there are a few bands that come to mind: Adagio, Dirge. Gojira and Year of No Light as well as Symbiosis but I would guess that Karelia are one of the best and their ‘Usual Tragedy’ album is one I have enjoyed over the years. After a tour with the Scorpions the band seem to have re-envigorated themselves and this album suggests they are one of the better bands around at the moment.
There isn’t anything unheard or completely iconic but the current sound incorporates some real pounding riff, screaming solos and real bone-smashing beats and attaches it to some fine melodies.
Definitely on the dark side of metal tracks like ‘Keep Watch On Me’ and ‘War Party’ leave no question as to their talents but when they stray into softer waters as on ‘The Way Across The Hills’ they suggest that they are rather more than just bombast and blast and they really can create a big and emotive sound.
Rudolf Schenker gursts on a couple of numbers and Gilles Thiebaut plays bass on most of the album but the abidimg memory is Matt Kleiber’s vocals and Jack Ruetcsh’s guitar lines.
