The story of COAL CHAMBER is almost like that of Stone Temple Pilots. Their first record was compared to another act, due to a single. Stone Temple Pilots was compared to Pearl Jam and COAL CHAMBER had to struggle against Korn. Both bands retaliated with their second album. It showed that both bands have a mind (and music) of their own. Strangely enough the music got better, but the record sale didn’t. At least for COAL CHAMBER. Therefore it was time for desperate action. The result: “Dark Days”. The conclusion: too obvious to mention. Dez Fafara mentioned that this album was created for the long run; we had to listen to this record for another ten years.

But to be true we probably find this CD again after ten years because we completely forgot we had it. The music is typically COAL CHAMBER. Heavy, guitar orientated, music with some strange twists and shouts. But whatever happened to Dez` voice? It rasps, but it lacks the diversity of earlier work. The same goes for the music. When the lyrics have the quality of: ‘One step forward, two steps back…’, then you know that COAL CHAMBER took a deep fall. “Dark Days” never got the touch of brilliance of “Chamber Music” and never got the emotion of their debut album. It’s just heavy music, but whatever is the meaning?