Type O Negative

Without a doubt Dead Again is Type O Negative’s most diverse album yet, effectively breaking out of the samey goth slump that’s plagued the band since 1996’s October Rust. From the punk outbreak of the opening title track and "Tripping a Blind Man,” front-man Peter Steele and company have taken great pains to revolutionise their sound. Truly a career apex, "The Profit of Doom” is a combination of different styles, beginning with Steele shouting invocations that are reminiscent of Gwar’s Sexicutioner — or even Roger Waters as the judge in Pink Floyd’s "The Trial.” Later, the tune phases into exacting doom with tame verses, but in the choruses Steele sings them in his higher range for more force. His bristly bass, shorn of excess fuzz, approaches that of Rush’s Geddy Lee in the 14-minute "These Three Things.” Starting as a quiet piano ballad, "September Sun” turns into an easy rocker, à la Ozzy’s "No More Tears.” Goth-prog suites and standout guitar solos (a departure for the usually wankless Kenny Hickey) put Type O at the metal forefront once again. (SPV/Steamhammer)