Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 11/03/2016
Label: Aural Music
This album is all about the groove, mixing swampy simplicity
with killer vocal hooks. The production is modern and clear, but without
sounding overproduced. The guitars are nicely fuzzed out, the bass is growling,
and the drums sound crisp and natural.
Creepy keyboards and psychedelic sound effects weave in the background,
tying the album together and never letting you forget that these are songs
inspired by one thing: horror. Overall I would go so far as to say “Danza
Macabra” is a contender for the Sludgelord list of top Doom releases of 2016
“Danza Macabra” CD//DD//LP track listing:
1. Dread Ritual
2. Arcane XIII
3. Land
of Revenge
4. Oblivion
Mushroom
5. Intermezzo
(Bonus track for limited vinyl)
6. Suspiria (Goblin
cover)
7. Blackmaster
8. The Holy Cult
of Suicide
9. Hell Behind You
The Review:
When I heard about
a new band from Italy
Titled “Danza Macabra”, the album is inspired
by legendary horror classics by Dario Argento and Mario Bava (among others),
such as “Inferno”, “Suspiria”, and “Mask of Satan”. Sealing the deal, they enlisted classic horror
poster artist Enzo Sciotti to paint the album cover, of which he commented, “This
is my masterpiece…perhaps the best horror ever!” It is truly a
beautiful album cover.
What is
interesting about this album is that, while paying tribute to the classic Doom
masters such as Sabbath
and Pentagram,
the band have clearly been doing their homework and staying in touch with what
is current in the Doom scene. I hear tributes to bands like Ghost,
Sleep,
Witchcraft,
and Church of
Misery, but without sounding like overt plagiarism, more like love
and respect for these great bands. The vocals are clean with some fantastic
harmonies; the only screaming you’ll hear is from the various horror movie
samples that meander throughout the songs. The production is modern and clear,
but without sounding overproduced. The guitars are nicely fuzzed out, the bass
is growling, and the drums sound crisp and natural. Creepy keyboards and psychedelic sound effects
weave in the background, tying the album together and never letting you forget
that these are songs inspired by one thing:
horror.
Their cover of Goblin’s Suspiria
theme is a super cool rendition, taking the song in a groovy hard rock
direction that is sure to make your head nod. If you’re looking for insane
double bass blasts or technical guitar shred, you won’t get that here. This
album is all about the groove, mixing swampy simplicity with killer vocal
hooks. “Danza Macabra” is a great
rock album, a great Doom album, and its infused with the band’s clear love for
classic horror. Give Arcana 13 a listen and turn it way up. You
might want to pick up one of their limited edition red blood spatter vinyls, if
they haven’t already sold them all!
“Danza Macabra” is available here
Band info: bandcamp
