Type O Negative

Type O Negative can embrace only about three emotions: misery, anger, or some combination of the two. So it's no surprise to encounter more morose melodrama, haunted-house synthesizers, Sabbathian sludge, and the phantom-like baritone of vocalist/bassist/beefcake brooder Peter Steele. Songs like "IYDKMIGTHTKY (Gimme That)" and "A Dish Better Served Coldly" are distinctive Type O negativity, the latter track opening with chiming acoustic guitars and keyboards that drive straight into a wall of distortion, which crumbles and gives way to siren-like harmonies. The uptempo "I Don't Wanna Be Me" offers punk-inspired valor, while the heavy-bottomed balladry of "We Were (Electrocute)" allows reverb-soaked guitars to shed some light on the murky passages.

Straying from the solemnity and emphasizing the band's jaded sense of humor, "I Like Goils" finds Steele still satisfyingly heterosexual ("There's no damn way I'm playing Drop the Soap!"). Life Is Killing Me offers few surprises, but captures the essence of what made Type O Negative the band of choice for the wrist-slashing sulk set.