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ODES OF ECSTASY (GRE) „Deceitful Melody“ [THE END RECORDS] 49.16”
This symphonic doom metal band has released their 2nd album.
The layout of the CD represents classical sculptures coming from their ancient heritage like to introduce the harmonious female vocals which is the main element in Odes of Ecstasy’s music. Musically, the band is opened to both doom and prog metal influences like in the “The Conqueror Worm” (lyrics by E.A.Poe- Ed.). Try to imagine keyboards and male vocals a bit in the Crematory’s vein while guitar’s riffs sometimes are really influenced by prog metal and last but bot least all the sound is supported by female “odes of ecstasy” (!) which is the main difference with the above mentioned German band. The constant presence of female vocals is also the delight of Odes of Ecstasy’s sound: a good performance by Christina Maniati that makes Odes Of Ecstasy more interesting than all the other average bands playing this kind of style.
You’ll not have great surprised listening to this CD as the music is a bit “linear”, recalling the classical themes of the layout: sometimes it can even lacks of vigour, probably also due to the not so strong production.
It’s pretty clear this band address his odes to a bit more sophisticated crowd than the death metal one even if they still mix such melodic elements with more brutal (male vocals), heavy (guitar riffs) ones. I do believe the band’ll sound more complete and even more particular if in future they start focus their sound to such more melodic elements which seem to be the most successful parts of their sound and without the one the band will probably soon forgotten. But I’m maybe a bit partial in saying this: well, I’m not a great fans of this kind of melodic style but first of all, lately, I have a kind of aversion to the male(growl vocals)-female(clean vocals) duet!
Reviewed by Lidia Buscaino