|
Review:
|
This is the second album by the Colombian outfit whose
progressive gothic metal is almost totally unclassifiable,
the closest I can get is early Epica with attention deficiency
syndrome, with everything from jazz to Latin to folk to
rock to classical to ecclesiastical to prog thrown into
the mix. The mainman appears to be virtuoso drummer Juan
Sebatián Tamayo as he has the biggest picture on their Myspace,
proudly standing behind a kit the size of South America.
The singer isn’t Carmilla, but the sultry Juliett Ocampo
who has a light sweet pitch perfect classical voice, accompanied
by Juan’s low melodic growls, which are more like a bass
singer with a rough voice. The lyrics in Spanish and Latin
tell the classic Victorian vampire story ‘Carmilla’ written
by Joseph Sheridan le Fanu, in which the female vampire
Carmilla is slain, hence the title of the album and where
the band get their name. They throw more ideas into one
song than many bands have in their entire careers. The centrepiece
is the epic 22 minute, yes, you did read that right, 22
minute ‘Carmilla’ which contains not just the kitchen sink,
but the whole flaming kitchen. You name it, this album has
it, Moog, piano, harpsichord, church organ, accordion, harp,
choirs, strings, woodwind, brass, violin, bells, xylophone,
percussion, a drumming tour de force, skilled bass playing,
guitar solos, etc. etc. etc. Faves include ‘Millarca’ which
starts out light and jazzy before becoming progressively
heavier and more complex, and the slightly bonkers ‘Morte’.
This is one for you more adventurous symphonic and prog
metal fans who like their eclectic music to roam all over
the place with never a dull moment. The album is available
for download from iTunes and other sites, or through their
Myspace http://www.myspace.com/mortecarmilla
, a mind boggling 8.5 out of 10.
|
