LAST RITES GUIDED BY LIGHT ALBUM DREAM CATCHER, PLAYGROUND RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 9, 2001 REVIEW: SEPTEMBER 1, 2001

This album is marketed like some Fields of the Nephilim spin-off, since Paul and Nod Wright contribute. The thing is that the main man behind Last Rites is Alexander Wright (a third, yet unknown brother?). Anyhow, Nod has actually produced it and Paul plays the guitar so they have a big part here as well.
The guitar sound is different to Fields, but yet the same, at least to some degree. In songs like "Full Circle" and "Race a Train", it's swinging in typical Paul Wright manner. The guitars sound heavier than they use to, but very nice indeed. Regarding the capability of the mysterious Alexander Wright, I establish that he has a good voice and obviously, he has succeeded with this dark guitar based project. Now, it seems even weirder that the Fields guys recruited Andy Delany for Rubicon.
There aren't any bad tracks on this album, but there are less interesting ones, like the instrumental piece "Galleon" for example. Why didn't they add vocals to it? The best track, "Resolution", is a superb piece of dark rock music. It's one of those tracks that you can listen to again and again, but yet, you never seem to get tired of it. It's pretty slow, somewhat heavy and solemn, almost making me think of My Dying Bride in their very best moments, but don't let that comparison scare you. This is something else, something different and not that gothic.

JOHAN ASTEMARK