Metal Storm logo
Devil Doll - Eliogabalus review



Reviewer:
9.5

61 users:
8.43
Band: Devil Doll
Album: Eliogabalus
Website: http://www.devildoll.nl/
Release date: May 1990


01. Mr. Doctor
02. Eliogabalus

"Eliogabalus" is nothing new after its forerunner, but compared to most other metal albums it's a giant in originality. The Devil Doll sound is classic and intact. No significant changes. Although "The Girl Who Was...Death" can be considered to be their absolute horror album, "Eliogabalus" is more sad. But don't worry, the horror pieces are still here and alive. It still sounds like a nightmare, in the good way.

This time the lyrics are based on the Roman Emperor Elagabalus. As always, exceptional work. Mr. Doctor's voice is still just as good, operatic and remarkable. He still screams, shrieks, whisper, talks, goes from low to high, high to low and sings with his wonderful clean vocals. At some places he even surprised me by singing more beautiful than ever. The shock factor never disappears, his voice is astonishing.

There's something with this album that may seem new, but really isn't. Now there's two songs, not one long one as before. But the two tracks do belong to each other. "Eliogabalus" is just a continuation of "Mr. Doctor". Budget problems forced the band to split the song into two, so they could release it on vinyl. So we do actually get an epic song of 45 minutes.

How the song is built up is also the same as before. Slow passages in one moment, a massive explosion of orchestras and electric instruments in the other. Some parts so great and awesome that forces you to come back over and over again. While "The Girl Who Was...Death" probably had the greatest parts of the Devil Doll discography, "Eliogabalus" has the most beautiful. The "The unnameable / Gave me the axe / To lop off the head / Sever the limbs / Disguise coldy/ And throw away" is by far one of the most lovely parts music has to offer.

For a fan of any Devil Doll release this is a must. It can't be disliked if you like the band. If you've never heard them there's no problems with starting here. If you can find it.

By the way. Last time I was nagging about that awesome violin. This time I just have to mention the outro of the album. An accordion has never ever sounded so good and beautiful.


Rating breakdown
Performance: 10
Songwriting: 10
Originality: 9
Production: 9

Written by Warman | 22.01.2009




Guest review disclaimer:
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.

Guest review by
janhuss
Rating:
10
"I don't give a damn
For Caligula: just his horse!
And I'm bored by
Julius Caesar's
Thousands words
To cross the Rubicon only".

Does this name, Devil Doll, ring any bell? Well, you should know that it's one of the most interesting & innovative music acts. Ok, I'll try to minimize my qualifications for the present review, even if it's so hard?

Read more ››
published 28.09.2004 | Comments (5)


Comments

Comments: 2   Visited by: 72 users
25.01.2009 - 13:52
Rating: 6
Elio
Red Nightmare
Seems to be awesome, it's probably time to check this band out.
----
IntoPlighT said: "Slipknot is 15 years old how the fuck is that Nu metal?"

BEST. QUOTE. EVER.
Loading...
25.01.2009 - 23:27
Rating: 10
Warman
Erotic Stains
Do that! I suggest you start with "The Girl Who Was...Death".
----
Loading...

Hits total: 5353 | This month: 7