Album Review: The 69 Eyes – Death Of Darkness (Atomic Fire Records)

When the sun goes down and the moon comes up, Finnish goth/glam goo-goo mucks The 69 Eyes proudly wear their sunglasses, leather jackets and black eyeliner to become one with the night. Founded in the hazy, murky, twilit bars of Helsinki more than 30 years ago, the band circling around Northern gothic rock epitome Jyrki 69 has done exemplary service to all things dark, releasing twelve revered albums, touring the world over, even going platinum in their home country, all the while maintaining a strong tie to the graveyard shift of rock’n’roll.

Now, on April 21st, the night rolls in again as the band will release their brand-new album ‘Death Of Darkness’ via Atomic Fire Records.

The demons of the night are back to haunt your speakers. The 69 Eyes are a band that really should need no introduction and can rightfully be called ‘legends’ of the goth rock scene. Yet, they haven’t always gotten their dues.

Thankfully that hasn’t stopped them pushing forward and delivering on fan’s desires and expectations. Which Death of Darkness will certainly meet. Featuring a delightful, delicious, and salacious array of goth-infused rock and roll tunes.

The 69 Eyes intentions are made clear from the very start with the title track. Where strong melody meets their moody goth sound, and the chorus makes the body shake. It’s a killer start and leads nicely into the more energised rocking sound of Drive, the pop-infused ambient catchiness of Gotta Rock, and the goth-ballad This Murder Takes Two. Which just so happens to feature Kat Von D on guest vocals.

You certainly can’t accuse The 69 Eyes of not having variety in their sound after hearing the first section of this album.

So, when they do revert to rock and roll type, it doesn’t sound so stale. Which is exactly what they do with the anthemic California and the sleazy heavier groove of Call Me Snake. The 69 Eyes at their most familiar and enchanting.

Speaking of which, the pairing of Dying in the Night and Something Real are the exemplification of The 69 Eyes dramatic goth and moody melodies. Yet, like so much of what they do, they are both undeniably catchy. Then there is Sundown, which is infectious goth rock heaven. Before the album closes out with the surprisingly expansive and imaginative Outlaws. All the good things about The 69 Eyes’ sound but taken to deeper, darker, and more creative areas.

It’s a strong finish to an album that will delight the fans as it doesn’t take to many risks. Which isn’t a complaint as when The 69 Eyes are on form, no-one is touching them when it comes to gloomy goth rock.

The 69 Eyes – Death of Darkness Track Listing:

1. Death Of Darkness
2. Drive
3. Gotta Rock
4. This Murder Takes Two (feat. Kat Von D)
5. California
6. Call Me Snake
7. Dying In The Night
8. Something Real
9. Sundown
10. Outlaws

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