Band:	Thee Orakle
Album:	Smooth Comforts False
Style:	Progressive death metal, Gothic metal
Release date:	February 20, 2012
A review by:	BloodTears

01. Faraway Embrace
02. Psi-drama
03. Mysterious Hours
04. Foretoken
05. Evil Dreams
06. Winter Threat
07. The Bridge Of The River Flowing
08. Hopefulness
09. Rescue Of Mind

The silent noise of breaking dreams... hits violently the soul.

2012 has brought many good releases from Portuguese bands so far. There must be something in the water. Smooth Comforts False also drank from the same fountain of inspiration and Thee Orakle is a very young band too; reaching maturity with your second album is not a bad growth curve.

It can be said that with this new release, they have somehow freed themselves creatively even though essentially combining two worlds. At the core of their music there is a gelling fusion of gothic metal with death metal elements, which also has room for progressive overtones and unexpected jazzy outlines where the saxophone and trumpet pay a little surprising but never awkward visit. Also, the notable guest appearances by Yossi Sassi Sa'aron on bouzouki from Orphaned Land in the hybrid "Evil Dreams" and Marco Benevento on vocals from The Foreshadowing in the emotionally intense "Winter Threat" brighten up those different facets of the band. There is a certain complexity in their genre elasticity that is captivating and effortless.

The gothic appeal comes primarily from the powerful and crystalline female vocals offered by Micaela Cardoso, which shape Thee Orakle's music and act as the perfect pendulum that clearly dictates where the songs will go. The use of growls and female vocals remind us of the old Beauty and the Beast dichotomy we often find in the genre, and the gloomy atmospheres built by the keyboards only strengthen that charm.

Aside from this, there is a fascination with death metal, whether melodic or more technical. From the blasting riffs, pick slide à la Gojira and deep growls in "The Bridge Of The River Flowing" to the more melodic and eclectic approach in "Mysterious Hours", the effect tends to be constant: express the loneliness and hopefulness of human existence. Despite the risk of some repetition in certain riffs used and a lyrical style that could be more polished, these small glitches end up being fairly inconsequential when you absorb the big picture.

The best quality of Smooth Comforts False is the fact that there is room for experimentation and stepping out of their comfort zone as well as a good balance between what is the core of the band and the new elements introduced to take it to the next level. Thee Orakle then cement themselves as more than just a promising band and finally break out of their shell. And thus the door is open for bigger flights...