Mortiis - The Smell Of Rain
Earache MOSH248CD 2001
By Russell Garwood
Mortiis a former Emperor member, and a widely misunderstood artist, released his latest album The Smell Of Rain on October 22nd through Earache records. Upon seeing Mortiis persona most people laugh, and jump to the conclusion Mortiis writes metal, an incorrect assumption I was guilty of.
The Smell Of Rain sees Mortiis moving away, however, from the Dark Ambient of old, into an eclectic mix of more EBM, Goth, Industrial and Darkwave influences such as Skinny Puppy, Nine Inch Nails, Enigma and Sisters Of Mercy.
Opened by Parasite God, as song about alienation, the dark atmosphere is maintained throughout, with lyrics like I search for life and sights to see, somewhere beyond this cold machinery (so take me out of this insanity) from Marshland and I want you to descend, I want you to fall down, I want to be the end of everything you have ever done from flux/mental maelstrom also demonstrating the fact this is one of Mortiis most personal albums to date. Parasite God is followed by the angrier Mental Maelstrom, and the claustrophobic (though slightly repetitive) Spirit In A Vacuum and the dark beauty of Monolith. You Put A Hex on Me provides some slightly easier listening, followed by the reflective masterpiece that is Everyone Leaves.
Mortiis says Im not going to say Im fucking pleased because there is always room for improvement, and I am forced to agree. At times the lyrics can be slightly repetitive, and the music can seem at times very samey and unoriginal (there is even a chant of fist fuck baby on Antimental) and the vocals, while distinctive often lack melody, going for the standard EBM talk in the background. However this album provides such a progression and shows such confidence, I can hardly complain, only look forward to the next album to see what further changes are going to take place.
While there is room for improvement this is a good album, and I can recommend it to anyone who listens music regardless of genre, Mortiis has shown with this album he is an extremely talented song writer. I think the loveable Troll sums it up well with People are saying Wow good album rather than just good make-up artist
Earache MOSH248CD 2001
By Russell Garwood
Mortiis a former Emperor member, and a widely misunderstood artist, released his latest album The Smell Of Rain on October 22nd through Earache records. Upon seeing Mortiis persona most people laugh, and jump to the conclusion Mortiis writes metal, an incorrect assumption I was guilty of.
The Smell Of Rain sees Mortiis moving away, however, from the Dark Ambient of old, into an eclectic mix of more EBM, Goth, Industrial and Darkwave influences such as Skinny Puppy, Nine Inch Nails, Enigma and Sisters Of Mercy.
Opened by Parasite God, as song about alienation, the dark atmosphere is maintained throughout, with lyrics like I search for life and sights to see, somewhere beyond this cold machinery (so take me out of this insanity) from Marshland and I want you to descend, I want you to fall down, I want to be the end of everything you have ever done from flux/mental maelstrom also demonstrating the fact this is one of Mortiis most personal albums to date. Parasite God is followed by the angrier Mental Maelstrom, and the claustrophobic (though slightly repetitive) Spirit In A Vacuum and the dark beauty of Monolith. You Put A Hex on Me provides some slightly easier listening, followed by the reflective masterpiece that is Everyone Leaves.
Mortiis says Im not going to say Im fucking pleased because there is always room for improvement, and I am forced to agree. At times the lyrics can be slightly repetitive, and the music can seem at times very samey and unoriginal (there is even a chant of fist fuck baby on Antimental) and the vocals, while distinctive often lack melody, going for the standard EBM talk in the background. However this album provides such a progression and shows such confidence, I can hardly complain, only look forward to the next album to see what further changes are going to take place.
While there is room for improvement this is a good album, and I can recommend it to anyone who listens music regardless of genre, Mortiis has shown with this album he is an extremely talented song writer. I think the loveable Troll sums it up well with People are saying Wow good album rather than just good make-up artist
