MISSION - Another Fall From Grace

Eleventh studio album from British band Mission, once again steeped in gothic rock, and it couldn't be otherwise for the band that represents its archetype. Released last September, “Another Fall From Grace” is described by Wayne Hussey as a cross between “First And Last And Always” by the Sisters (to whose writing he contributed no small amount) and the Mission's debut, “God's Own Medicine” (1986).

With such a “calling card”, expectations can only run high.

The incipit is entrusted to the languid guitar of the title track, a dark-rock piece with an Eighties flavour, and given the premise, there's no reason to be surprised. The feeling of déjà vu — though perhaps it's more accurate to call it familiarity — continues on the following “Met-Amor-phosis”, which features guest vocals from Ville Valo of H.I.M. (the roster of “guests” is illustrious, as befits a heavyweight collaborator; also on board are Gary Numan and Martin Gore).

Mission's rock, tinged with darkness, has always had a keen ear for melody, and Romanticism remains its defining stylistic trait; the new record is no exception, and its twelve tracks represent well their elegant approach to dark music (“Can’t See The Ocean For The Rain”, the ballad “Never’s Longer Than Forever”, “Jade”).

“Another Fall From Grace” doesn't have the vibrant energy of the landmark records that inspired it, but it does recall their mood and atmosphere. It's an album that invents nothing and wants to invent nothing, but then again, what's demanded of these “illustrious comebacks” isn't experimentation, but rather solid genre records. And in that sense, once again Mission have hit the mark.

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09/04/2017