Charon - Downhearted
2002 - Spinefarm Records
http://www.charon.cjb.net/
Reviewed by: George

Tracks:

Bitter Joy
At the End of Our Day
Craving
Little Angel
Fall
Erase Me
Desire You
Come Tonight
All I Care is Dying
Sister Misery
Sorrowsong

Opinion:

Charon is a great band from Finland along the lines of Sentenced. In fact Charon's singer is also in the band Poisonblack with Ville from Sentenced. So I guess it's not surprising that the music is a similar style. Don't get me wrong, you wouldn't hear Charon and think you were listening to Sentenced (unlike the slew of American bands that all sound like Nickelback.) They just have a similar style: They both rock!

I've only listened to it through once, and I was distracted from paying close attention, but it doesn't sound as depressing as Sentenced. The song titles suggest a goth depression sort of atmosphere, but it really is hard to compete with Sentenced for pure suicidal fury. I am listening to it again now and will pay closer attention.

The music is heavy with clean and slower passages. The vocals are all very clean and easily understood. The production on this disc is sparkling. I have no doubt that this will be a disc I find myself coming back to time and again.

I feel a 5 of 5 coming on. I really need to start bashing a few people so people don't think I'm gonna give everything a great review. But right now I'm only reviewing what I buy, and I only buy what I like, so naturally these reviews are going to be a bit high. If any of these labels decide to get off their ass and send me material to review I'm sure we will begin to see a wider range of reviews. But for now you are just going to have to settle for the fact that I only bring you the best in metal.

I love this guys voice. Very deep and brooding. Can't wait to hear the Poisonblack CD.

I'm not going to be able to single out particular tracks you should pay attention to, because so far every track on here is a winner. I've only got three more to go, and I don't expect to find anything but more of the same great music. I'm really glad that there has been such a resurgence of great metal lately. I was beginning to worry things were going to get stale again. Well I'm happy to report that this year wont be a drought year for metal.

I would tell you to run out and buy this CD, but I doubt most people living in the US will have it that easy. I had to order this CD from Argentina to get it. I've looked everywhere for it, even eBay and just could not get a copy. Ordering directly from Spinefarm is a hassle since I don't carry whatever type of currency they use in Finland. So I was lucky to come by this CD, and you will be too if you can find one