SUICIETY

Nikitas Kissonas is back! This talented Greek blessed us back in 2011 with his debut "The Fall Of Bliss" which really impressed me, it was really a one man show with Nikitas taking care of almost everything but the drumming where thankfully he didn't use a drum machine but brought in a real drummer. This time it's much different with many musicians helping out including a brass quintet, a string quintet and guests from bands such as THE ENID, ANGLAGARD, AGENTS OF MERCY, BIRDS & BUILDINGS and more. I will say I actually enjoy Nikitas' voice more than Joe Payne's but that's just me. This is a concept album, sort of a commentary on today's society with the clever title of "Suiciety".

"Ruins" opens with 2 minutes of atmosphere with spacey sounds before the music turns even more spacey with whispered words. Spoken words follow then he's almost singing. What a great way to start. "Remember Fear's A Relic" opens with strummed guitar before bass and a full sound take over. The organ really stands out and we get horns as well. Passionate vocals join in and they become high pitched before 3 minutes reminding me of 3RD DEGREE. Catchy stuff. It turns surprisingly jazzy before 5 minutes followed by some killer organ. It sounds like they are having a party on this one. "The Windows' Cracking Sound" is a short piece with almost spoken vocals and sparse sounds before the drums kick in late and dominate. It ends as it began. "Who Can It Be?" starts with horns sounding medieval as almost spoken vocals arrive around a minute. The horns take over once again as these two themes are contrasted. A jazzy vibe before 4 minutes then drums and horns lead 5 minutes in before it turns surprisingly heavy. Nice. "The Origin Of Blame" opens with pulsating piano and vocals before the organ arrives 1 1/2 minutes in with a fuller sound. Back to the piano and vocals quickly though. Some theatrical vocals here then it kicks back into gear before 3 minutes and they seem to be having lots of fun.

"Prey's Prayer" is a PINK FLOYD-like tune with those lazy guitar melodies. Horns arrive around 5 minutes to the end replacing the guitar. "Sunlight" opens with guitar expressions then strummed guitar after a minute as reserved vocals join in as well. Strings 2 1/2 minutes in then it turns fuller 4 minutes in followed by a heavier sound. The song ends in such a good way as an earlier theme with vocals is repeated. "The Relic" starts with acoustic guitar as vocals and strings join in. This is beautiful and when the vocals stop briefly and the bass and piano come in it continues to be gorgeous and really emotional for me. A heavier instrumental section kicks in with electric guitar before 3 1/2 minutes before stopping suddenly before 5 minutes and you here someone exhale. The opening theme is back to end it. What a song! "Suiciety" has lots of beats to start and it turns fuller just before we get a calm. Heavy percussion, strings and more kick in then another calm before 4 minutes then it builds to a powerful soundscape. Vocal melodies come in over the final minute.

I listened to the debut today just for a fresh comparison and to my ears these two albums are very comparable with this new one being slightly better. Both are well worth tracking down, thanks Nikitas!