REQUIEM AETERNAM
Philosopher
(Trinity Records)
46:22min

One of the most promising, extreme progressive bands from the South American continent is back with their second output. This unique album by this band from Uruguay is entitled "Philosopher" and includes eight songs which have a strong lyrical concept. Each of the tracks is based on a work about a famous philosopher. The band’s first album "Eternally Dying" (a kind of progressive Black Metal long player) achieved quite a big success in South America and two videos were played on MTV Latina and MTV Brazil as well as on other channels all over Latin America. Excessive touring followed. The band’s mastermind Jose Romero re-located to New York in late 2002 to establish a new line-up. REQUIEM AETERNAM might be known especially by fans of extreme progressive Metallers OPETH as the current line-up of these Swedish masters includes two ex-REQUIEM AETERNAM members (Martin Mendez and Martin Lopez). The new line-up of REQUIEM AETERNAM features also a prominent member as no one else than ex-IMMOLATION drummer Alex Hernandez destroys the drumkit now. But first you have to know that the music of this talented band is far away from the IMMOLATION sound… so Death Metallers can lean back relaxed in their armchairs again. The overall sound is very hard to describe as this trio is a very unique, sophisticated mix of Black / Death and traditional Heavy Metal and found probably its very own sound in the Metal universe. You can hear tight blasts, aggressive double bass parts, melodic harmonies & leads, staccato riffing, twisted rhythms, accoustic and calm parts and many other stuff on "Philosopher" (but no keyboards are used!). It’s very rich of variation and contrasts and they put so many elements in one single song than some bands on a whole album… but it works. So it’s for sure no mistake to label the whole thing progressive. Also one characteristic is the change of clean, sometimes kind a rock like and rough, kind of hateful vocals in each track through the entire album. I don’t need to mention that the drum parts are outstanding as Alex is a master in his job. You need some listenings to the album to notice all fine things of Jose’s virtuos songwriting. The production is flawless and dynamic, leaves nothing to be desired. "Philosopher" is a very mature, outstanding album but it’s probably nothing for the masses or just easy listening and will probably appeal to just a minority of fans in the metal community. So OPETH fans and open minded Metalheads into progressive sounds will for sure like this album and will keep it like a precious stone. Contact either www.requiem-aeternam.com or www.trinityrecords.com.hk.

Michael Oelschlegel

Michael Oelschlegel

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