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It’s been a couple of years since Dark Tranquillity’s last studio CD, but as fans await their next batch of new material, then can go back to the band’s early days. Yesterworlds is a collection of songs from the early ‘90s.

The 10 songs on Yesterworlds are from the 1991 demo Trail Of Life Decayed, 1992’s A Moonclad Reflection EP, 1994’s W.A.R. Compilation Vol. 1 and previously unreleased demo material from 1994 entitled Promo 1994.


Anders Friden (In Flames) was Dark Tranquillity’s original vocalist, then guitarist Mikael Stanne took over when he left in 1993. It’s interesting to compare and contrast their styles, because each does vocals on about half of this CD. The Trail Of Life Decayed songs were done a couple years before their debut, and are the rawest. Dark Tranquillity’s trademark melodic death metal sound is there, but just not completely refined.

The Promo 1994 tracks are demo versions of songs that appeared on 1995’s The Gallery, including the title track and “Punish My Heaven.” Even though they are demos the quality is pretty good, and the songs didn’t change a whole lot from these versions to the album.

Dark Tranquillity’s history is also the history of melodic death metal and the “Gothenburg Sound,” so this material has definite significance. Yesterworlds is a quality compilation of early DT material.

(released August 18, 2009 on Century Media Records)