Artist: Arcturus
Label: Music For Nations
Release Date: 1997
Rating: 4 Skulls
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Title: La Masquerade Infernale Artist: Arcturus Label: Music For Nations Release Date: 1997
Rating: 4 Skulls |
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Reviewed by Solomon (2/13/02):
After introducing the world to the symphonic black metal stylings of Aspera Hiems Symfonia in 1996, the members of Arcturus came out with something that has been generally characterized as "weird." The band, first of all, has been known as somewhat of a "supergroup," at one point boasting Samoth of Emperor among its clan, and also including vocalist Garm (Ulver, Borknagar) and Hellhammer (Mayhem, Kovenant) on drums, among others. 'La Masquerade Infernale' is hardly a "black metal" record, except for occaissional musical reminders and a fairly impious lyrical stance. The album is a progressive, avant-garde, artsy-fartsy, something-or-other that is hard to fully describe. A strong dramatic, operatic feel is present, and you can hear the influence of Celtic Frost (really?) and even a little Dream Theater (no!).The music of Infernale is, for the most part, not easy to digest upon the first listen. There's not a lot here that you'll be humming to yourself later on, but the content of the songs are always shifting, not bogging down in one style or dynamic, keeping you interested and always surprising you with something new. From the dramatic high/low vocal interplay of "Master of Disguise," to the satanic bombast in "Of Nails and Sinners," you know you've just experienced something unique and one-of-a-kind. Vocalist Garm's mid-range, clean, almost comical style suits the music well, but I.C.S. Vortex (Borknagar, Dimmu Borgir) steals the show on the album's highlight, "The Chaos Path." Amid the heavy and "circus"-style guitar riffs, this song is a stand-out, bombastic display of vocal talent, and is one of the finest vocal performances in metal history. Nothing else on the record comes close to it, although "The Throne of Tragedy" is also one of the better songs on the album. This tune contains more accessible, traditional guitar harmonies and an interesting twist in the middle. It's hard to describe, but it sounds almost like a jazz/hip-hop bass/keyboard groove that is truely soothing and mind-melting. The lyrics throughout the record are pompous and overdramatic and, therefore, very cool. Along with original poetry and Edgar Allen Poe verses, we get charming stuff like "Pure I live in blasphemy, Mephisto I am hidden in Madonna's gown" and "I, degraded bearer of thy sacred light, to which I never again will bow," etc.
Infernale is an experience, and experiment, which will probably never be duplicated again. There are very few truly "unique" metal records out there, and this should belong in the top ten of all-time. Step inside La Masquerade Infernale and don't forget your costume....
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