A brief outline of the history of the Norwegian band from the city of Stavanger. Founded in 1994. Their first album, which bore the band's title, was released in 1995. The band described their style as Gothic Metal, which they retained on their second album. After that, the style changed several times, but one thing remained the same: the vocals. Liv Kristin's bright, sweet and soft voice contrasts with the guttural, growling vocals of singer Raymond István Rohonyi. For me personally, that was the hallmark of the band's first albums. A style that more and more bands in the burgeoning Gothic Metal scene were using. Hein Frode Hansen played drums, Tommy Lindal and Pål Bjåstad played guitar, and Lorentz Aspen was on keyboards. In 2003 there was a big bang, partly with the departure of singer Liv Kristin. The band picked themselves up again and recorded two more studio albums and a live album with a new female singer. With this album, "Last Curtan Call", the band disbanded in 2011.

I'm not a Goth myself and never have been one. I find the darkness interesting, the playful arrangements, the hard riffs and pounding drums contrasted by female clean vocals. And of course the pompousness too. The pathetic demeanor and lyrics. And that's exactly what I like about Theater of Tragedy. Liv Kristin's voice is amazing. I even took on board and liked all the changes in style. From Gothic metal to dark rock, to technoid synth rock and back to the roots.

Highlights for me: “Cheerful Dirge”, “... A Distance There is ...” (wonderfully pathetic and of good length) and “Dying: I Only Feel Apathy”.
Theater of Tragedy is a groundbreaking album for gothic metal. Nothing more and nothing less. As a prog-head, it really appeals to me, as it also contains elements from prog. Highly recommended.

Addendum: I now also have the vinyl version. Remaster, reissue, gatefold, 180 gram, black vinyl. 2020 (1995). The record is of good quality and has an excellent sound.

The photos are all from my CD. The rights to all motifs, logos, texts and fonts that can be seen in the photos are of course owned by the copyright holder.