Dripping with emotional storytelling and forlorn tributes to depression is Ontario metal band Woods of Ypres’ fourth offering, The Green Album. Well-known for their constant stylistic changes, the Type O Negative influences are as painfully obvious as the emotional lyrics meted out by WoY’s vocalist/guitarist/mastermind David Gold. Green is Gold transcribing his long journey from a broken heart in Canada (a result of a tumultuous, failed relationship) to his half-crazed escape to South Korea (where he picks himself up over the course of a year). This is both lyrically and musically a sweeping tale of a young man on the edge of disaster. For those undaunted by the thought of listening to the emotional equivalent of a car crash in slow-motion, this is an absolute must-have.

Published in Volume 64, Number 25 of The Uniter (April 1, 2010)