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MACBETH ‘Malae Artes’ Dragonheart(2005)
When was the last time that you got pleasantly surprised by a band that you only just heard for the first time? Last time something like this happened to me was a week ago, when the promo of the new Macbeth album arrived in my post box. Now, you don't have to be a nuclear physicist to realise that Macbeth are a Goth Metal outfit - all you need to do is consider the band's choice of the album cover and a also the fact that this Italian outfit is signed with Dragonheart Records.
Now, no offence to all you Goth Metallers out there, but I normally don't get particularly excited with bands from that genre. I do love theatrical and atmospheric elements in Metal, bands like My Dying Bride and Paradise Lost are two of my personal favourites, but most of the modern day Goth Metal bands tend to sacrifice power for the sake of melody - something that I simply don't agree with. It seems, though, that these seven Italians had something different in mind when they started recording material for their third studio release entitled "Malae Artes".
Having read Dragonheart's press release beforehand, where "Malae Artes" was compared to the recent works of Nightwish, Lacuna Coil and Tristania, I didn't expect that this album would have something really interesting to offer. The band manage to prove me wrong straight away, though, since I immediately got hooked with "Lifelong Hope", the first full length song that came straight after a nice melodic intro entitled "Nuda Veritas". It's really nice to see an outfit of such style and character that is not afraid to invest in decent guitar riffs, some of which were quite similar to those of Evergrey.
My main objection has to do with the actual production of the album, which doesn't allow those riffs to attack you with full force, but keeps them on the same level with Karl's keyboards which enjoy more "liberty" than they actually deserve. Anyway, things remain equally interesting in "My Desdemona”, which, even though it is a less Metal composition, has some really interesting moments and is based on the good quality vocals provided by both Andreas and Morena - the band's female vocalist.
Sadly from that very point, and for the next four compositions, Macbeth manage to transform themselves into an average Goth Metal band. Nothing is seriously wrong with songs like "Miss Murderess" or "Good Mourning" - it's just that they are far too predictable and not in a position to give enough credit to the members of this band. As I was ready to give up on the rest of the album, the first piano melodies of "Keep the Secret" filled the room and gave a breath of life to this "dying patient"! What a wonderful composition indeed. Finally, the two songs of this album, "Down-Hearted" and "Dead and Gone" will give a pleasant ending to a really interesting but also very confused album.
I cannot say that my introduction to Macbeth's music was unsuccessful. I did enjoy listening to this ten-track release, and I'm pretty sure that many Gothsters out there will find it far more interesting than I do. I would suggest, though, that you do listen to "Malae Artes" and draw your own conclusions, because it's one of those releases that will generate quite a few controversial reviews
***½
Review by John Stefanis
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