GLADIUM CAELI

This first album by DEUS EX MACHINA really does sound like a band trying to find an identity and not succeeding. Sure all the ingredients are here and it's still Alberto Piras singing but even Alberto sounds like someone without direction just showing his stuff. This is very much a Rock record that is often quite abrasive and too long.

"Expergi" opens with atmosphere then it kicks in after a minute and vocals follow as he screams several times. He does start to sing though. Check out the drumming 3 minutes in and the ripping guitar after 5 1/2 minutes. It settles after 7 minutes with vocals and organ before kicking in one more time. "Arbor" opens with gentle guitar and we don't get vocals until before 3 1/2 minutes as it gets fuller. It kicks in after 5 minutes when the vocals stop. It continues to shift. It's chaotic 10 1/2 minutes in with vocal expressions. "Gladiva Caeli" has a solid beat with violin and more. The guitar then starts to lead followed by a calm then the vocals join in. Violin is back as it picks up. Vocal melodies after 5 1/2 minutes. A guitar solo before 7 minutes and the organ follows. Ripping guitar before 8 1/2 minutes then it settles late with vocals as atmosphere ends it.

"Ignis Ab Caelo" opens with some impressive instrumental work then the vocals come in after 1 1/2 minutes when it settles some. Back to that instrumental work to end it. "Se Ipse Loquitur" is heavy with organ then it settles when the vocals arrive as contrasts continue. "Dialeghen" is led by the drums early then organ before we get a calm before 3 minutes as the vocals come in. It kicks back in before 5 minutes then it settles with vocals before 7 minutes. It builds then another calm 11 minutes in. Great sound when it kicks back in. "Omnia Evolvitur Sed Potest Mutari" opens with guitar and drums then the violin joins in. Vocals 3 minutes in but they are brief. More instrumental madness follows then the vocals return after 5 1/2 minutes. A guitar solo a minute later followed by violin. Vocals end it.

A good album but maybe one that i'd call immature. The next album shows the band becoming more focussed and then after that they become complex and insane but always within a framework.