FACE THE SEA OF DARKNESS

Last year I received a post suggesting the addition of the Swedish band ANIMA MORTE for the Symphonic database, but due to the references about ENNIO MORRICONE and some titles in Italian, I sent the band to RPI (Rock Progressivo Italiano) practically without listening them, but last week I received the same suggestion and this time discovered they were from Sweden, so gave a listen to the samples on their MySpace page and was really impressed.

As most Swedish bands, their style is sober and clearly influenced by the most iconic bands from the northern country, but what I liked more is that special darkness and mystery that has it's roots in Italian horror movies with plenty Hammond Organ and Mellotron, one of the most irresistible temptations for a Symphonic fanatic as me.

So before adding them, went to a well known Internet store and bought the MP3 version of "Face the Sea of Darkness" (Not the same as listening a physical CD, but when you live in Perú and don't want to wait, it's the only solution), and discovered that the years hadn't destroyed my capacity of surprise and enjoyment of new music, the whole album is delightful.

As I said before, Mysterious Symphonic Prog with loads of keyboards and Mellotron (well played of course) are enough for me to be pleased, but in this case, found that ANIMA MORTE is much more than just pleasant .

The powerful keyboards by Fredrik Klingwall create a haunting sound with touches of Heavy Metal, but when this strength is blended with delicate passages of acoustic guitar by Stefan Granberg and an incredibly solid rhythm section, you got something worth to listen.

It's also important to notice that the band manages the contrasts between power and softness with great skills, if you listen how they move from the strong "Devoid of a Soul" (A song that has everything a Proghead loves) to the soft and melodic "Wandering" with piano and Harpsichord (Guess it's synthesized) it's clear we are before an incredibly versatile band.

All the tracks are solid without a single weak moment, but if I had to chose only one, I would go with the fantastic "Twilight of the Dead", a brilliant piece of music that has all the excesses I love in Prog, with abundant organ, solid percussion and the capacity to morph from Heavy Prog to Classical piano sections in a fragment of a second, it's like listening pompous music of Rick Wakeman a with the drama of Par Lindh Project all fused with the virtuosity of Vittorio Nocenzi.

Being that this is the first full ANIMA MORTE album I have the chance to listen, I won't fall into the temptation of rating "Face the Sea of Darkness"with 5 stars, so will be conservative and go with 4 solid stars, being I expect much more of this excellent musicians.

From the cold city of Stockholm comes this Swedish project,created by composer/keyboardist Fredrik Klingwall in 2005,member of various Metal/Darkwave projects,most notably Rising Shadows.He was joined by guitarist/bassist Stefan Granberg,with whom he released the 7' vinyl single ''Viva Morte!'' in 2007.Later in the same year drummer Teddy M'ller and guitarist Daniel Cannerfelt jump on board to help Anima Morte release their debut ''Face the Sea of Darkness'' originally on Dead Beat Media,with two more re-issues on Horror Records (2010) and Transubstans (2011 plus two bonus tracks).

A short album,just under 40 minutes,this all instrumental effort sees Anima Morte exploring the sounds presented during the 70's by GOBLIN.Dark symphonic soundscapes with a touch of Space Rock,Ambient,Soundtrack Music and Darkwave,filled with effects and much keyboard- driven by the synths/organs/mellotron/piano of Klingwall.Other good reference points might be ANEKDOTEN and MORTE MACABRE.Actually it's Klingwall's keyboards which achieve to create such haunting music,surrounded often by explosive strong guitar work,mellow acoustic passages and a few flute drives.Short tracks with a very rich sound,good orchestrations and changing moods between the calm and the heavy,the good and the bad,the storm and the rainbow.Some tracks have a great nostalgic feeling,similar to GOBLIN, with great piano parts and minimalistic musicianship.

Dedicated fans of GOBLIN possibly own this album already.For the rest I warmly recommend this quite nice album of dark cinematic Progressive Rock,which arises an inner beauty right from its haunting depth.