DEATHSTARS - Termination Bliss (2003)

MMM

You can't get much more uncool than liking Deathstars, really... and I certainly don't rate this as highly as I did when I first heard it. I like this kind of electro-goth (sometimes) though, but the lead vocal gets a bit tedious after a while (so, deeeeep...). Middling is a good way to describe this, it's okay, but after a while it gets a little dull, better of sticking to Kovenant, who do this kind of thing better.

LACUNA COIL - Shallow Life (2009)

MMMM

Oh deary me, one glance at the reviews on Metal Archives will tell you that I am out of step with the rest of the world on this one. For me, Lacuna Coil started wonderfully with their debut mini-album and got slowly worse with each release. How shocked was I then when I picked this up and found the band moving into slightly poppier territory and sounding much better for it. This style absolutely plays to the band's strengths and gives Christina the chance to shine. Sadly, rumour has it that the new album will be 'heavier', which I imagine means that they will be returning to their dreary (but commercially successful) previous style. Shame.

KREATOR - Endorama (1999)

MMMM

Reviled by the blinkered fanbase, Endorama is a perfect fusion of Megadeth circa 1992 and Paradise Lost's Gothic Metal era. Sure there's no thrashing to be found here, just great songs and catchy melodies. This was the end of the road for Kreator as far as experimentation goes and while it was nice to hear them Thrash again, it was a shame really. At least it ended on a high note.