Le Grand Guignol - The Great Maddening review
| Band: | Le Grand Guignol |
| Album: | The Great Maddening |
| Style: | Avantgarde black metal, Symphonic black metal |
| Release date: | August 24, 2007 |
| Guest review by: | qlacs |
01. Cirqvs L.
02. Degenesis (Amor & Seuche)
03. Dimension: Canvas
04. Mens Insana In Corpore Insano
05. Madness And Her Thousand Young
06. The Healing Process
07. Finis Coronat Opus
08. I, Who Brought Forth Myself
09. Alsuntia
10. Lucilinburhuc
11. In, Beyond Or Through
Another round on 1st time listen reviews. Le Grand Guignol is named after a famous-infamous theatre where people went to see horror flicks. That kinda describes what you're about to hear...
This album was released back in 2007 when the metal scene was not flourishing with too many avantgarde metal names; The Great Maddening it was considered "weird," "uncanny"; though not now, compared to much weirder stuff that has been made since I found it a pleasant listen with an bizarre opera-like touch. Similar bands would include Unexpect (a lot weirder and more intense), Vulture Industries, Devil Doll and Arcturus at times.
Lots of ideas can be heard in this 55 minute record, most of them are from the range I like. With horror circus themed (at least of similar sounding) keyboards in focus mostly, maniac screams utilised as interludes, it feels like visiting an event at that theatre. An event full of clowns, witches, blood, and cabal. It never really gets boring. You even got the (nowadays generally overused) operatic soprano singing, which has been put in a good use here, not appearing many times.
The first few songs are not often stepping out of mid-tempo, but there is a twist in almost every song that you wouldn't really expect. The other half seems to be a bit more experimenting with speed changes, like boosting up the drama when the show comes to an end.
The sound itself just fits the music well, no big surprises on that field. If you expect detailed mixing that will make you scream out of your darkened room then you're knocking at the wrong door.
Enough said about the music, go check this out for yourself if the above mentioned names ring familiar.
Guest review disclaimer:
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
Rating:
8.8
8.8
|
Rating: 8.8 |
The Grand Guignol was a theatre in Paris which specialized in horrific, mad and gory plays, and had the most of its success between the two world wars. But, what all this has to do with metal? Just think Arcturus or Unexpect (for the craziness) for a start... What, you've never listened to them? Come on! Anyway, next you add a baroque feel and neo-classical orchestrations. Read more ›› |
Comments
Comments: 1
Visited by: 11 users
| K✞ulu Seeker of Truth Posts: 2573  |
Never thought of this album in terms of "horror theater," but your is actually a good reminder to go back and listen to this again since it's been quite a while...
---- Savor what you feel and what you see Things that may not seem important now But may be tomorrow R.I.P. Chuck Schuldiner Satan was a Backstreet Boy
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