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It’s been three years since Rubicon, the album whose poppier direction and dramatic lineup changes divided Tristania fans. Now the symphonic metallers are back with a darker follow-up that fully embraces their black metal influences.

Repeating the Rubicon formula of clean vocals from Kjetil Nordhus (ex-Green Carnation) and harsher ones from guitarist Anders Høyvik Hidle, Tristania’s seventh album is nevertheless tighter and heavier than its predecessor, packed with intricate textures, layers and harmonies.

Mariangela sings with a new power which adds just the right dramatic flavour. Producer Christer André Cederberg has unleashed the band’s true potential, recreating the heaviness that dominates their live sound. From intense opener Number to the twisting thunder of Arteries via the melancholic beauty of Scarling, Darkest White packs an incredible punch.

Darkest White is a true symphonic gem and one that’s naturally evolved from their original gothic metal musings.

Contributing to Prog since the very first issue, writer and broadcaster Natasha Scharf was the magazine’s News Editor before she took up her current role of Deputy Editor, and has interviewed some of the best-known acts in the progressive music world from ELP, Yes and Marillion to Nightwish, Dream Theater and TesseracT. Starting young, she set up her first music fanzine in the late 80s and became a regular contributor to local newspapers and magazines over the next decade. The 00s would see her running the dark music magazine, Meltdown, as well as contributing to Metal Hammer, Classic Rock, Terrorizer and Artrocker. Author of music subculture books The Art Of Gothic and Worldwide Gothic, she’s since written album sleeve notes for Cherry Red, and also co-wrote Tarja Turunen’s memoirs, Singing In My Blood. Beyond the written word, Natasha has spent several decades as a club DJ, spinning tunes at aftershow parties for Metallica, Motörhead and Nine Inch Nails. She’s currently the only member of the Prog team to have appeared on the magazine’s cover.