MICHELLE DARKNESS BRAND NEW DRUG ALBUM AFM RELEASE: NOVEMBER 14, 2007 REVIEW: DECEMBER 13, 2007

The template of HIM has a new acolyte. Following closely in the footsteps of the world's fluffiest bubblegum goth metal act, this member of End of Green has debuted as a solo artist. Why is this? you ask; beats me I reply. Some may like what this guy does but count me out, I just have no use for this style as it is dead even before the record button has been pressed or the editing program fired up.

The vocals make me cringe, then there's the music which almost seems obligatory but not very memorable. That's the thing about "Brand New Drug", once you have finished listening to it you find yourself not wanting to play it again but rather, put on what so clearly influences this guy. I would recommend playing lots of Zeraphine (Mr. Freidrich casts a long shadow over this record). It's not that this release doesn't try to please, it does, only too hard. So hard in fact that you wonder just how much this project has literally borrowed from other more original acts.

I would not recommend this fellow try another record on his own until he has some ideas of his own.

PETER MARKS

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