Ghost - Infestissumam [2013] *REVIEW*

"All Hail Hard New Age!"

Ok, guy dressed like parody of Pope and five 'nameless ghouls' helping him convince you that worshipping Satan can be fun. Using mixture of doom, hard and surf(!) rock to do so, which is... unexpected, because for most people equation Sweden*(Anti-Pope + Ghouls playing guitars and shit) + lyrics about Satan = METAL. Well, not this time.


Album contains 10 tracks, every song slightly different than the others. But with one thing in common: they all have very 'i wanna be dark, or even darker' lyrics about dark lord, death or necrotic cannibalism (sic!)... From the other hand, songs are catchy and some of the pieces could be played on the commercial radio in the Sunday morning (if you cut the lyrics out). This contrast is really grotesque, yet the music is able to defend itself when battling with my ear. This guys sounds like they could play really technically complicated music, but they choose not to do so. On purpose.
And I respect their choice, because I really enjoyed this long play. Every song has this 'something' that makes it special and hard to forget, like my favourite 'ghuleh/zombie queen' with very delicate and vibrating tune.
Vocals are really outstanding, Papa Emeritus II sings like a phantom, or some other ghost. Ghouls are doing great on their instruments. My only problem with this album is lack of cohesion between music and lyrics, they are simultaneously trying to be controversial and mainstream. And after all they fail twice. Music is too mainstream for the 'dark' lyrics which makes it grotesque, and because of them (unless you don't know English, but if  you are reading this text I assume that you posses this ability) album isn't very much matching audience who wants to listen some good rock music.

But if you aren't afraid of Satan or catchy rock tunes (even in my most psychopathic dreams I never imagined that I will ever write sentence like this), this album is worth your attention.

3,5/5

320 MP3

Phideaux - Doomsday Afternoon [2007]

 

All you need is time, but the time is damn unkind.

There was once a guy, who wasn't aware that we aren't living in 70's anymore. This 'guy' had a name, Xavier Phideaux, he also had a dream. Dream to make progressive music that was simultaneously new and old, both beautiful and easy to listen. The Art Rock of our generation.
And he succeeded in it. I swear to God Almighty and Jesus Christ Denton. He succeeded.

Doomsday Afternoon is second part of trilogy (first was Great Leap from 2006) about society dealing with "Big Brother" and ecological crisis. But the lyrics are very complex and even after listening to this CD countless times I am still not sure about the meaning of some parts. What I understand clearly, is the sound. Chemical mixture made of 70's Progressive Rock, Symphonic multi-instrumental parts and Psychedelic sounds. Album is a great leap compared to his predecessor. Where "The Great Leap" was just ambitious psychedelic rock, Doomsday is work much more complex, divided into two acts concept album, with delicate beginning, dynamic middle and epic (and by epic I mean the highest mountains of Epicness where Robert Fripp and David Gilmour are jamming with Ian Anderson) ending. After listening to this album I feel that I spent my time well, with art and strong emotions that only music can provide. Because it seems to be complete work of art, nothing to add, nothing to cut.

What can I say, I really love this album.With it strong rockish sound, beautiful symphonic melodies, variety of used instruments and beautiful lyrics. It's really epic, and after listening to it for 100th time today, while writing these very words I can say for sure. I would recommend this album to everyone. Doesn't matter if you like Psychedelic Sounds of space, Progressive riffs of 70's, symphonic tones of major Epicness or whateverness of whatever. If you enjoy music. This is album for you.

Yes, For You! 

4.5/5


ALBUM