Cellar Darling
Title:This is The Sound
Label:Nuclear Blast
Release Date: 30th June 2017
Okay where do I start with this Album? Having cut my Metal teeth on Paul Di Annos , Iron Maiden, Diamond Head, Motorhead, and Twisted Sister back in the early eighties I was very very close minded regarding Metal ,a Band like Cellar Darling I would have probably dismissed at once! To be honest as I grew more into the genres of Metal I crossed over to Thrash /Death Metal and “This is The Sound “would have been outta my window or hammered into pieces!
This is not balls to the wall, head thrashing, mosh pit frenzy of neck destroying Heavy Thrashing pandemonium, or even Heavy Metal, this Album is Hard Rock with Folk influences that are pleasing , soothing and draw you into its essence.
Let’s be honest when I read the bands Bio and the association with Eluveitie a Band I never took to I wasn’t sure if I wanted to review this Album when I was sent this by Nuclear Blast, but the first listen to the opener “Avalanche” and I was smacked in the chops , totally spellbound and err blown away by the hurdy gurdy!! What an addictive opening to a phenomenal release, Anna Murphy’s gorgeous vocals steal away your soul as the song binds its spell into your soul, soon as I heard this song I just knew I had to give this album a fair crack of the whip and I am so glad I did. “Black Moon” has you in a hypnotic trance as the American Indian infused vibe rocks and rolls into your cerebral cortex, I simply love the booming Bass from Ivo Henzi and Merlin Sutter’s Drums shake and rattle the floor boards.
“Challenge Me” is a magical carpet ride of emotions that fly high with captivating lyrics that lead into “Hullaballoo” this opens with some killer dynamics that hit on a grunge groove, I wasn’t too taken with this song at first but it grows on you and soon becomes a favorite. The Bands Folk influences shine out on “Six Days” and “Fire Wind and Earth” stuck in between these two songs is the “Hermit” a highlight on here for me ,as with all of the rest but this one simply sticks in my mind and was one I kept returning to more often than the others and onto the next song “Water” that simply washes over you flowing into your consciousness.
I simply adore the drumming and umm the hurdy gurdy on “Rebels” this a monumentally sublime song , yes, its poppy and radio friendly but hell who cares, , tunes like this one will give anyone a run for their money with their ethereal effects ,and sublime musicianship.
Oh my “Under The Oak Tree” has an effect that gives you goose bumps upon your goose bumps ! it’s a beautiful and moving piece. Now I have only the eleven tracks sent for review but know there are more tracks to be had so for me the final track is “High Above These Crowns” its just short of three minutes that will touch and entrall you.
To sum Over the last seven years I have gotten into the more symphonic , folky side of the Metal / Rock scene and have become able to fully appreciate this form of music, now there have already been some fucking outstanding releases this year and Cellar Darling is way up there if not totally in front so far for 2017
Review: Seb Di Gatto Score:10/10
Reviewed:24.06.17 Facebook
Tracklisting:
1.Avalanche
2.Black Moon
3.Challenge
4.Hullaballoo
5.Six Days
6.The Hermi
t7.Water
8.Fire, Wind & Earth
9.Rebels
10.Under The Oak Tree…
11.…High Above These Crowns
Band Line up:
Anna Murphy(Vocals, hurdy gurdy, multi-instrumentalist) Ivo Henzi(Guitars, Bass) Merlin Sutter(Drums)