‘Tales of Transgression & Sacrifice’ is album number three for the prolific German group :Golgatha: who have now found a home on the legendary Cold Meat Industry label. Housed in an DVD sized black card case and accompanied by a stunning 32-page booklet containing a series of photos pertaining to each of the album’s 13 tracks by German photographer Birthe Klementowski., ‘Tales…’ is perhaps the band’s most accomplished and diverse album to date, and sees a shift in general sound and direction for the band whilst still remaining true their own identity.

Musically ‘Tales…’ brings together three styles of music, fusing them to create an imaginative and darkly passionate set of recordings. From the ritualistic drumming of ‘Initiation’ with its occult riddled atmosphere and presence, to the lushly dark ambient textures of ‘Scared’, through to the phenomenally catchy folk number ‘Garden of Love’ with its beautifully delivered female vocals and foot-tappingly catchy folk-inspired musical accompaniment, :Golgatha: have patiently worked hard on producing three varying styles of music ,skilfully interweaving them together so they delicately flow into one another with great ease, and without losing the dark atmosphere that the album’s built up track by track.

One minute you’re swaying to melodic folk, the next you’re led into a captivating barrage of intensely stimulating ritual drumming, before being lost in swirling dark ambient soundscapes. This constant movement of sound and style could fall flat on its face, but :Golgotha: have managed to prevent this from happening, and instead each style just seems to complement the others, keeping the listener transfixed throughout the entirety of the album.

With a combination of deep-rooted gothic sensibilities, neo-folk attributes and a huge swath of atmospheric occult and ritualistic touches, ‘Tales..’ really is one deeply imaginative and compelling listen from start to finish. The huge crossover appeal that the album produces in sound will no doubt please old and new fans alike, and once they cast their eye over the artwork that accompanies the CD whilst their ears are seduced by the ever-evolving spectrum of sounds that ‘Tales…’ produces, it will help cement Golgotha’s place firmly in the ranks of the dark post-industrial elite.

If a band like :Golgatha: can release a such an impressive array of music over the their three albums, in such quick succession and so early in their career, I can foresee very exciting times ahead, not just for the band themselves but also for those who are fortunate enough to experience the imaginative, dark and passionate music the band produce. 

www.ikonenmagazin.de/golgatha/

www.myspace.com/schaedelstaette

www.coldmeat.se