Carnival In Coal - Fear Not
Season of Mist - 2001
By Philip Whitehouse
Go to the Season of Mist website.
This is the first CD I have ever received from Season of Mist records. To the best of my knowledge, they are a well-respected, underground label specialising in black metal acts. If this latest release is anything to go by, they also have a very healthy sense of humour.
On the side of the promo CD I received of this album, it says 'What if Mr. Bungle had an overdose of Morbid Angel?'. Well, the music answers the cover's question. Carnival In Coal specialise in head-twistingly contradictory songs which leave you either scratching your head in bemusement or rolling on the floor with laughter.
The vocals on the whole are a mix between Shagrath from Dimmu Borgir and Mike Patton at his jazz-lounge best, with the rest of the music reflecting these styles too. Third track '1308.JP.08*' begins with a very odd disco/techno loop which becomes overlaid with a nice chugging guitar riff and some good cookie-monster vox, before rapidly becoming odder by the second.
Samples are used to good effect throughout, and the music is varied enough to keep the listener's interest throughout. My only problem with the album is that perhaps it's just too a little too much of a clean cross between the two bands quoted on the cover... It's a great album, but comes across a little like a 'Death Metal Tribute To Mr. Bungle' CD might... But still, to die-hard Bungle-o-philiacs, it's more than worth a listen.
7.5/10
Season of Mist - 2001
By Philip Whitehouse
Go to the Season of Mist website.
This is the first CD I have ever received from Season of Mist records. To the best of my knowledge, they are a well-respected, underground label specialising in black metal acts. If this latest release is anything to go by, they also have a very healthy sense of humour.
On the side of the promo CD I received of this album, it says 'What if Mr. Bungle had an overdose of Morbid Angel?'. Well, the music answers the cover's question. Carnival In Coal specialise in head-twistingly contradictory songs which leave you either scratching your head in bemusement or rolling on the floor with laughter.
The vocals on the whole are a mix between Shagrath from Dimmu Borgir and Mike Patton at his jazz-lounge best, with the rest of the music reflecting these styles too. Third track '1308.JP.08*' begins with a very odd disco/techno loop which becomes overlaid with a nice chugging guitar riff and some good cookie-monster vox, before rapidly becoming odder by the second.
Samples are used to good effect throughout, and the music is varied enough to keep the listener's interest throughout. My only problem with the album is that perhaps it's just too a little too much of a clean cross between the two bands quoted on the cover... It's a great album, but comes across a little like a 'Death Metal Tribute To Mr. Bungle' CD might... But still, to die-hard Bungle-o-philiacs, it's more than worth a listen.
7.5/10
