by Paul KottAt first, this may seem like pretty weird material for a label associated almost exclusively with extreme metal to put out. Diabolique is a poppy rock band with melodic vocals, sung in English with a pronounced Scandinavian accent, and on the album it's all about love, love, and love. A lot of the guitar work is reminiscent of old U2, albeit a bit more morose and less triumphant, using plenty of delay and reverb. The production values are pretty good for a standard radio-style pop album, complete with layered vocals, Hammond B-3 organ and keyboards, backup singers, etc. After contemplating why the members of a group like this would allow themselves to be associated with such an evil roster of metal bands, it must be presumed that they have to be going for a brighter goth rock image. They fall short of their goal. There is a tinge of My Dying Bride-style sadness, but it's so tame and poppy that it more resembles a less lyrically creative » Read more