There it is. Finally. The comeback album of MADRUGADA. For a very long time we had to wait for this one. Around 13 years after the band split up.
The early, so untimely death of guitarist Robert S. Burås, shortly before the release of the band's self-titled fifth album, abruptly ended the successful story of the Norwegian gentlemen. The remaining members afterwards turned towards other projects in life or pursued solo careers. It was the 20th anniversary of the debut album, Industrial Silence that brought Sivert Høyem, Frode Jacobsen and Jon Lauvland Pettersen together again and breathed new life into the once so promising band. The following European anniversary tour was such an immensely triumphant return live on stage (seen here) that the guys repeated it again the same year (seen here). With same results. Infected by so much enthusiasm, love and sheer delight in playing, MADRUGADA decided to write new songs and to go on with the band. And here we are right now.

Chimes At Midnight is the name of the sixth opus and has to face huge expectations of the listeners, it cannot measure up at the end. After the first couple of spins, which I enjoyed with cheer enthusiasm, some kind of disenchantment spreads.
Less surprising, Chimes At Midnight is geared to the first both records. Especially, since some of the tracks ain't new but pieces of leftovers from the record sessions of those albums. Experimental approaches and influences from other genres like on Grit and The Deep End you will not find on here.
MADRUGADA are still as dark and deeply melancholic as always. Musically they added more Americana with Country leanings. Especially the second track, Running From The Love Of Your Life, remembers a lot of the collaboration of Sivert Høyem with Behemoth's Nergal at his Me And That Man project.

One indeed could say that Chimes At Midnight sounds like an aged version of Industrial Silence with a proper portion of complacency. As said, with more Americana, but without the gritty guitars of Robert S. Burås, and without the super cool offhandedness and sarcasm of The Nightly Disease. Generally, I would say that the music of MADRUGADA still lives widely on the beguiling baritone of Sivert Høyem.

Chimes At Midnight kicks off with the killing opener, Nobody Loves Me Like You Do, which could not be any more classic for a MADRUGADA song. Crispy bass lines, a touch of an orchestra in the background and a catchy refrain. Also already mentioned Running From The Love Of Your Life is pure joy, as well as the nonchalant Empire Blues. And Dreams At Midnight offers even a bit of the gritty guitars we know from the band's earlier days.
In return, songs such as You Promised To Wait For Me and The World Could Be Falling Down could not be more theatrical and gooey, with too much croon and long Americana and lap-steel guitar bends as well as dramatic piano tunes.
Most of the tracks are rather calming, with cheesy refrains and lalala fillers (Stabat Mater), although I could not avoid singing along to them. It's magic ;)
All in all Chimes At Midnight is lacking of power, energy, verve and variety. It's great to see them back, no doubt, and this comeback album gives a good feeling though, but it is not that spectacular then previous records.