Finnish Gothic Rock Band Lullacry Album Review: Crucify My Heart

• Year of release: 2003
• Country of origin: Finland
• Record label it got signed under: Spinefarm Records
• Score: 98 out of 100

If you think that heavy metal and women don’t mix think again. Finnish hard rock band Lullacry offers the music listener a fine album which is really solid from start to finish and they have a female vocalist that does an outstanding job. The album is called Crucify My Heart. This is the band’s 3^rd album. It is the follow-up album to 2001’s Be My God. The result is once again a fine effort from these Finnish heavy rockers. I have always been a huge fan of metal and rock bands with female singers in them. The album features Don’t Touch the Flame which was the first single for the album and the band even made a video for it. I also recommend the single for the song Alright Tonight because it contains the song Sweet Desire that was re-recorded with Tanja Lainio doing the vocals. She does not disappoint at all! That version of the song may be better than the original.

The first two tracks are great because they really set the tone for the album. It is on the fifth track Pitch Black Emotions that we witness the passion and power in Tanja’s voice. The title track is a really solid hard rock song about someone that basically sold her soul and traded everything for love. The man whoever it is took advantage of her. When we are involved in a relationship in which the other person takes advantage of us this is a relationship that cannot last for long. It is a great listen no matter how many times you hear it.

Every Single Day is another great rock song about someone who feels lost in their life and they do not know where to go. Tanja’s vocals are very melodic in this one. Unchain is a great ballad and is a perfect fit for the album. Other tracks that are worthy of mention are Heart of Darkness, Over Me and Every Single Day. I don’t think there is even one bad song on the album. Even the Song Better Days is worth listening to. I am so glad that Tanja was part of this band and had been for many years. She combines beauty and talent and that is a great combination. I even got the chance to chat with her online in the forum on the band’s website when it was up and running. As of 2011, they had re-launched their website. Lullacry are one of the best bands to come out of Finland. Lullacry would disband in 2014 after 16 years in the music business. I am saddened to see them leave as Tanja had a soothing yet powerful voice that could really calm you. The music these guys put out each album was terrific as well. I would say that Lullacry were one of the top five gothic rock bands ever. Nothing to Lose is a song about a person that tells lies, breaks the rules, and says to themselves that they have nothing to lose. By this point in the album, it is a virtual certainty that the album will be one to be given a super high score for its remarkable consistency in the songs. Does Crucify My Heart get 100 out of 100 points? The dark and atmospheric hit song called Heart of Darkness certainly adds to the album’s strength. If you ever feel trapped in a heart of darkness, just know that the Universe has your best interest in mind.

Running time is 43 minutes and 6 seconds. This CD was released by Spinefarm Records one of the biggest record labels in the world. This is recommended for fans of other gothic metal or rock bands such as To Die For, Reflexion, Flowing Tears, and Edenbridge. Lullacry should have gotten more recognition because this band is really solid. It really amazes me how all these other artists who don’t even have half the talent that Lullacry does get popular. This CD deserves a solid 98 out of 100 points!! Finland is such an awesome country that with their small population they are able to come out with such high quality rock and heavy metal.

If you need an instant mood booster or if you want to listen to good, high quality heavy rock, then Lullacry’s Crucify My Heart is a CD that you should definitely have in your collection. 2003 was a solid year for Lullacry as they solidified their reputation as a great gothic rock band. They would only get better with the release of Vol. 4 in 2005 with such classic songs as Stranger in You and Soul in Half.