So, I'm looking at the cover and wondering why this album landed on my desk. Checking out the inner sleeve, I notice the singer is blonde. That'll be why.
Judging by the sleeve (and indeed the band's name), I expected an onslaught of dark side death metal. Whilst there are deadly guitar riffs on display - such as in the full speed ahead "Where the Fires Play" - many of the songs on this album turn out to be melodic and atmospheric. Of course, "Of all The Strange Things" is still an "in your face" album but it is those more delicate almost theatrical moments that actually stick in your mind. On "True Face", for example, lead singer Kirst dances around the lyrics like Kate Bush (without the arty farty pretensions, of course) to haunting effect and on "Wasteland" she practically turns herself into a folk singer. She's certainly no disappointment when the going gets heavier and faster but that ability to hold it together when the going gets slower is surely one of this band's strengths.
Sonically, the impact of this album is lessened by the rather flat sound that saps the dynamics from the songs. Well worth a listen or ten however.