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Band Name: Madder Mortem
Album Name: Desiderata
Rating: 4 / 5 User Rating: 4.5 / 5
Label:
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Tracklist
1. My Name Is Silence
2. Evasions
3. Plague on This Land
4. Dystopia
5. M For Malice
6. The Food To Come
7. Changeling
8. Cold Stone
9. Hypnos
10. Sedition
11. Desiderata
12. Hangman
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The road from Mystery Tribe to the Madder Mortem we know today is an interesting one that spans 3 different records labels and many changes in sound. When listening to samples of their earlier recordings like 'Deadlands', one hears male growls layered with female operatic singing and heavy, churning Black Sabbath like bass lines, the typical goth/black metal sound. On their newest release Desiderata, Madder Mortem blows this typical goth sound completely out of the water while still maintaining the overall theme of goth intensity.
The opening track 'My name is Silence' is fast, chaotic, and almost punky with a middle eastern/System of a Down kind of feel, a definite switch from the slow goth dirge of their earlier releases. The female vocals as less operatic and have more of a Sioux and the Banshees, pop meets punk feel and the male growls are almost non existent. The second track 'Evasions', is a little slower and more churning, reassuring the listener that they are indeed hearing to the same goth rock Madder Mortem of days past. 'Evasions' bass line, however, has a very funky Korn feel that updates the sound from 'Deadlands' and there's even a sort of bass solo that screams early Korn. The final track, 'Hangman' is one of the best. It has a slow, bluesy Led Zeppelin kind of feel which compliments the bellowing female vocals perfectly. Throughout the album, there are some trippy Opeth like moments (not surprising considering these guys opened for Opeth in 2003 on the European leg of their "Deliverance" tour) and some classic guitar solos thrown into the prevailing Dillinger Escape Plan like chaos.
One thing is certain; Madder Mortem is not your typical goth/black/prog metal band. Metallica meets Korn meets Sioux and the Banshees meets Mozart would be a vague attempt at describing their sound. Needless to say, Madder Mortem will never be pigeon holed into representing one style. 'Desiderata's' title track ends with the repeated refrain 'Die, Die, Die, Die' sung almost operatically and this sums up Madder Mortem to a tee. It might take one a moment to get used to the chaotic structure and style of Madder Mortem but give them a second listen and it is guaranteed they will grow on you like good mold on cheese.
Review by: Colette Claire
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