‘Enkoimesion’, a lilting intro and then like drapes being pulled back ‘Black Blacker Than Black’ swaggers in. There those rich crooning tones of Ike Vil sweep in with the hook riddle deathrock riff and gorgeous backing vocals. A sardonic wit in the title, a faint memory of Blue Oyster Cult in the melody and here we are. Sleep Of Monsters return with their third album after an unreasonable absence in my life of seven years almost.
Oh it’s so dark and so bittersweet to have them back.
‘Language Of Birds’ is more sedate than the gothic bombast of the opener, but there is a dark cherry sweet layer to it, that sway and almost waltz that these Finns bring to the dance. The riffs keep the band somehow still not a thousand miles away from the seedy death rock clubs but the insistent bass lines, the layering of keyboards and the female backing chorus pass elegant fingers through the waters of goth and sprinkle in absinthe laced philosophy, curls of smoke and the assured lounging of the velvet coated sharp cheeked lord of the bar.
And then we are travelling to ‘Alexandria’ on the summoning sounds of drums and a guitar that channels the past. Lyrically as dense and esoteric as ever, though without a lyric sheet some things flit by but the sumptuous melody does not. ‘Melinoe’, bringer of nightmares and madness follows in on soft footsteps. Female vocals take the lead, a seductive chorus of fates woven through the gorgeous guitar work. It seduces you with lies, whispers the truth and promises you everything. Then comes ‘The Singer’, an ominous bass line, dry ice cloaking the guitar. “I am telling you you’re dead and should be moving on…” he intones. The singer of truths that no one wants to hear. You can feel its fingers spreading open your chest and gently stealing away your heart. Parched with thirst I am, and dying…
‘Nyktophoros’ a spiky little intrusion of fear, a middle eastern vibe to the music. Fever dreams perhaps. ‘Mother Of Phantoms’ continues the travel through this land, places lost and tales forgotten, gods unknown. ‘Ædel’ seems to promise either death or a journey home, I don’t know which. And at last ‘Ivory And Horn’ is a gentle lament, a parting of ways.
This third album may have been a time coming but it truly cements the grand ritual that Sleep Of Monsters have set out to create. They are masters of the obscure and of the esoteric meandering; they are weavers of elegantly debauched tales, conversationalists into the early hours and breathing strangely scented smoke into the dim light. They write songs that nestle against you and take you on a swaggering walk or an elegant waltz with equal ease. Louche, intellectual interlopers in lounge bars and guides to places long forgotten by the sun, they leave me mesmerised every time.
Come on in, pull up a stool, lean in and take a long, slow drink. You won’t regret it. Or forget it.
(8.5/10 Gizmo)
05/06/2023 at 10:17 pm
Bravo, what an elegantly-written, evocative review – I hope the band read it! I initially thought I preferred the Poison Garden album but this has convinced me to give it a few more spins and maybe reconsider. Hard to believe they’re not a more well-known band
06/06/2023 at 7:36 am
Thank you. And yes thankfully the band did see it and reposted