CoC : Angizia - Die Kemenanten Sharlachroter Lichter : Review

Angizia - _Die Kemenanten Sharlachroter Lichter_
(Napalm Records, 1997)
by: Henry Akeley (5 out of 10)

I can definitely see why Napalm saw potential in Angizia and gave them a deal, and I hate to give a low rating to a group with so much creative ambition, but I just can't get much real enjoyment out of this release, interesting though it may be. The band's goal is to combine black metal and classical influences, much like the pioneering Dismal Euphony (also on Napalm, and an excellent band). But while that group put out one of my favorite albums of last year, Angizia falls a bit flat. Whereas D.E. create dreamy, memorable songs driven by sweeping, icy melodies, Angizia have crafted what they call a "Metal Musical Theatrical Play" dominated by piano and organized around multiple vocal performances. There are four vocalists: two females, one of whom does some soprano singing; and two males, one of whom sings tenor, one of whom performs in a screechy black metal style. The problem is, none of these vocalists is quite expert enough to really carry this style of music. (The grim vocals, in particular, just don't fit in well at all.) My main dislike, though, is the band's way of handling melody. Unlike the drifting, ethereal melodies favored by Dismal Euphony, the melodies here are often sing-songey and cloying. When they start singing soprano-and-black-metal duets, or little tenor soliloquies, right in step with these melodies, the result often sounds somewhat childish. Lastly, the guitars seem merely tacked onto the music. They are definitely never central to the sound; in fact, they're barely audible. Certainly, there are some enjoyable passages on this CD, but on the whole I can't unreservedly recommend it. Still, it -is- intriguing stuff, and I'll be interested to hear future efforts from the band.

(article published 16/3/1997)

ALBUMS
1/1/1998	S Hoeltzel	5.5	Angizia - Das Tagebuch der Hanna Anikin