THEATRE OF TRAGEDY ASSEMBLY ALBUM NUCLEAR BLAST RELEASE: MARCH 4, 2002 (EUROPE), APRIL 16, 2002 (USA) REVIEW: FEBRUARY 14, 2002

This is not gothic death metal, but I bet all Theatre of Tragedy fans know that by now. They also know that the Theatre is constantly changing, never letting itself be bound down in one form. Sure, the electronica that the band has grown fond of is still here on "Assembly". But the record is so much more. From the industrial punk-metal on "Universal Race", to the electro-gothic "Let You Down" and the ambient pop-song "Motion", "Assembly" is an extremely varied album. This is its strength, but also its weakness.
Whereas fans of loud guitars and cool keyboards alike can find common ground on the record, so can fans of almost anything with synthesizers and guitars this side of Die Krupps. "Assembly" simply lacks a unifying musical theme. One gets lost.
But, still a nice enough record, full of cool singing from Liv and cool "rap" from Raymond. Gothic pop - if not at its best - at least sometimes at its most interesting.

KALLE MALMSTEDT