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Moonspell - "The Butterfly Effect"
(Century Media) |
Moonspell has been around for awhile, lurking around on the European black metal
scene. I'm the first one to admit that I am not a fan of black metal (read my
review of Ancient here at blistering.com), but this band has me very intrigued.
It's "smart" black metal, utilizing different song textures and influences.
It's not all about being the evil with this band.
After three albums of brutal, screeching, werewolf-preaching black metal,
Moonspell decided to go a different route on their fourth album, Sin/Pecado.
Many fans of their earlier sound were not pleased with singer Fernando Ribeiro's
attempts at making more "pretty" music with less aggression. Numerous fans
quickly wrote off the band as being sellouts. Those fans might be wishing they
hadn't with the release of their fifth studio album, The Butterfly Effect.
After hearing an MP3 snippet of "Soulsick", the first track on this album, I
knew I had to get it. That song really epitomizes the whole album. Starting
off with a drum loop and Ribeiro chanting "I'm only real at places I cannot be",
the band kicks into a rolling, thumping beat that is so catchy. Then the
chorus.. Ribeiro harkens back to his black metal roots with a guttural scream of
"SOULSICK!!!!" They end up blending elements from Sin/Pecado along with their
former traditional black metal style. It truly works out great, as the songs
are catchy with vocals that will makes your skin crawl at times. The band rolls
into "The Butterfly Fx", a song with yet heavier growls, but yet still,
Ribeiro's vocal talents shine through when he's singing the softer parts of the
song. The transition into "Can't Bee" couldn't come at a better time on the
album. This song, along with "Disappear Here", is the type of song that would
perhaps be more belonging on Sin/Pecado, as there is an immense amount of
melody. Some fans won't like it, but these two tracks really do showcase
Ribeiro's flexibility in the songwriting process. By listening to these two
songs, it's obvious that Depeche Mode has influenced Moonspell heavily. Kind of
like a Depeche Mode gone black metal.
I've dwelled upon Ribeiro and his talents only because he is the brains behind
the madness. The supporting cast does a more than adequate job. Guitars and
keyboards are equally weighted on this album, filling the songs with a beautiful
melody at times, but in tracks like "Lustmord", they provide a gritty, distorted
attack that fits the fast-paced song perfectly. The drums are often programmed
on this album, but no matter. It's totally fitting to the style that Moonspell
is going for.
My favorite track on the album so far is "I Am the Eternal Spectator". It's a
song with a danceable (!) beat, and Ribeiro's thunderously deep voice echoing
throughout the song.
Moonspell have outdone themselves this time. The album is a perfect mixture of
dark environments, melody, and a black metal edge that should still keep
longtime fans happy.
Reviewed by: Dan Wicker
