Sacriversum Mozartia
Metal Mind Records - MMP CD 0209 - 26th May 2003
By Anna Novitzky
Imagine it: a gothic death metal concept album about the life of Mozart, detailing the composers mental and spiritual struggles from child prodigy to early death from a mysterious disease. Interesting prospect. Rather you than me, but give it a try.
Miraculously, Sacriversum pretty much manage to pull it off. Leaving aside the overwhelming, all-engulfing pretentiousness of such a project, Mozartia is surprisingly listenable. The rich, luxuriant female vocals lend a decadent edge to a relentless barrage of noise that sets in virtually from bar one (no fannying about with intros here) and lifts only for melodic keyboard runs and the occasional distant tolling of bells.
Of course, its not all sweetness and light (bitterness and gloom? Which is better?). The musicianship here is steady but dull, the same motifs appearing again and again from song to song. As with anything else, even the most skilfully executed riffs and arching melodies can diminish into muzak when repeated endlessly, and this is hardly the pinnacle of metallic achievement. Still, its a nice effort and perfectly commendable in a background music sort of way. From the plaintive melancholy of Young Traveller and Stanzerl to the vicious fury of Born to be the Best and the unexpected sweetness of closer A Body Left Under a Hedge, this is an intelligent album that strives to open new doors and should be applauded for the effort, even if it does fall a little short of the mark. Im not sure how historically accurate it is, but its certainly brimful of passion.
6/10
Official Sacriversum website
Official Metal Mind Records website
Metal Mind Records - MMP CD 0209 - 26th May 2003
By Anna Novitzky
Imagine it: a gothic death metal concept album about the life of Mozart, detailing the composers mental and spiritual struggles from child prodigy to early death from a mysterious disease. Interesting prospect. Rather you than me, but give it a try.
Miraculously, Sacriversum pretty much manage to pull it off. Leaving aside the overwhelming, all-engulfing pretentiousness of such a project, Mozartia is surprisingly listenable. The rich, luxuriant female vocals lend a decadent edge to a relentless barrage of noise that sets in virtually from bar one (no fannying about with intros here) and lifts only for melodic keyboard runs and the occasional distant tolling of bells.
Of course, its not all sweetness and light (bitterness and gloom? Which is better?). The musicianship here is steady but dull, the same motifs appearing again and again from song to song. As with anything else, even the most skilfully executed riffs and arching melodies can diminish into muzak when repeated endlessly, and this is hardly the pinnacle of metallic achievement. Still, its a nice effort and perfectly commendable in a background music sort of way. From the plaintive melancholy of Young Traveller and Stanzerl to the vicious fury of Born to be the Best and the unexpected sweetness of closer A Body Left Under a Hedge, this is an intelligent album that strives to open new doors and should be applauded for the effort, even if it does fall a little short of the mark. Im not sure how historically accurate it is, but its certainly brimful of passion.
6/10
Official Sacriversum website
Official Metal Mind Records website
