by Paul KottAt first, this may seem like pretty weird material for a label associated almost exclusively with extreme metal to put out. Diabolique is a poppy rock band with melodic vocals, sung in English with a pronounced Scandinavian accent, and on the album it's all about love, love, and love. A lot of the guitar work is reminiscent of old U2, albeit a bit more morose and less triumphant, using plenty of delay and reverb. The production values are pretty good for a standard radio-style pop album, complete with layered vocals, Hammond B-3 organ and keyboards, backup singers, etc. After contemplating why the members of a group like this would allow themselves to be associated with such an"evil" roster of metal bands, it must be presumed that they have to be going for a"brighter" goth rock image. They fall short of their goal. There is a tinge of My Dying Bride-style sadness, but it's so tame and poppy that it more resembles a less lyrically creative » Read more