The quite different, experimental and to me ambivalent album (Mankind) The Crafty Ape, followed by the departure of long time singer Joe Volk, made me think of creative troubles within the collective. With the EP No Sadness No Farewell released in the same year, CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX performed another U-turn, back to the roots. Now with tenth anniversary of the band White Light Generator got released and sums up the metamorphosis the band was going through lately. On White Light Generator CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX have almost regained their former strength but also wallow much in their past and are restrained when it comes to experiments, new ideas and influences, what makes White Light Generator to an album to finish a chapter than to open a new one.
That might be debatable, but does not have to, because White Light Generator is a monumental, epic record! It is captivating, so typical extraordinary, hardly to categorize as the band itself, different yet familiar, surprising and untamed.
The double album is separated in two sides, the black and the white one and White Light Generator kicks in black but… immediately confuses as CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX start with a rather gentle but odd cover version of Ricky Nelsons Sweeter Than You (a teen Rock’n’Roll star from the 50s). Little camouflage, must be the so often cited British humor. But then it is getting loud and heavy and CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX present the highlight of the album: the epic No! A song that strongly nods towards the grandiose We Forgotten Who We Are (I, Vigilante), full of dramatic melodies, driving riffwork and guitar walls, a song so hauntingly beautiful and intensive. Causes goose bumps! Following martial Let's Have An Apocalypse Now! does not fall any shorter, even turns up power and heaviness.
The white side, however, is not less elegiac, just less harsh, much more Folk and Country influenced as the singing in Northern Comfort, the western Banjo in Caring Breeds The Horror and the trumpets in We Remember You. Belinda Kordic once again contributes guest vocals and adds this eerily beautiful touch to Wake Me Up When It's Time To Sleep, another breathtaking song!
New singer Daniel Änghede took over a difficult job as he has to match with Joe Volk. He already convinced during last year’s tour, despite of some insecurities and shines on White Light Generator too. He is a good one but I think he needs more room to interpret the songs his own way.
To sum it up: I truly love this album! It is on permanent rotation and if not, songs are in my head. It is not perfect yet a masterpiece!