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A Rose for the Apocalypse is the fourth album for Sweden's Draconian. Unlike recent releases from fellow Gothic Metal bands Imperia or Midnattsol, Draconian make full use of the "beauty and the beast" vocal style. Lisa Johansson's smooth, clear singing shares equal space with Anders Jacobsson's Death Metal growls. Like the recent albums by those aforementioned fellow acts, A Rose for the Apocalypse is a glossy, expertly played effort full of big guitars and bigger keyboards playing suitably mournful melodies. And, like those other albums, it is completely forgettable once it's over.

The quality of the musicianship cannot be denied and A Rose for the Apocalypse sounds great...while it's on. The songs themselves, however, leave no lasting impression. Gothic Metal by-the-numbers might be the best short-and-sweet description. You've heard the mid-tempo pacing, guitar/keyboard riffs and vocal trade-offs before. There's nothing even remotely outside the lines to set A Rose for the Apocalypse apart from its peers.

I don't see Draconian appealing to an audience much wider than Gothic Metal fans, although I'm sure those fans will enjoy A Rose for the Apocalypse's smart performances.