Velvet Acid Christ – Ora Oblivionis (CD Album – Metropolis Records)
Genre/Influences: Dark-electro.
Background/Info: Bryan Erickson started writing music in the late 80s, but had to wait for the early 90s to release the first Velvet Acid Christ productions. Several noticeable and influential albums have been released like “Fun With Knives”, which has been re-released and remastered this year. “Ora Oblivionis” is the new work, which comes four years after “Dire Land”. The songs are inspired by self-destruction.
Content: Bryan Erickson has probably accomplished one of the most eclectic Velvet acid Christ albums to date. It remains a pure dark-electro driven opus featuring tormented atmospheres, aggressive sequences, sophisticated sound treatments and danceable kicks, but still an album with evasive passages, punkish guitar and even a surprising song featuring a kind of Flamenco guitar. Bryan Erickson has been joined by Dianna Recalde to perform the female vocals.
+ + + : Velvet Acid Christ always has had something very unique when it comes to analyze the sound. I think we might speak about a proper sound DNA, which is based upon a sophisticated writing, but also a lot of efforts to create original sound treatments. There clearly is a good-old vintage/analogue touch running through the compositions and that’s what makes the main difference with young musicians. I prefer the more danceable cuts and especially refer to the opening songs (cf. “Conviction”, “Adventures In Babysitting The Antichrist” and “The Bullet Wins”). In a different style and I dare to affirm innovative style “Conjuro” is a surprising, but great cut. The flamenco guitar sound reminds me of Juno Reactor’s “Pistolero” so did Velvet Acid Christ created its own ‘pistolero’? Time will tell, but it’s a cool, danceable and even sensual piece. Another interesting and important item of the album is the female vocalist Dianna Recalde adding a sensual breeze to the song, which are dealing with real dark and tormented subjects.
– – – : “Ora Oblivionis” is the most unusual album from Velvet Acid Christ to date. The work is covering real diversified influences and that’s why all die-hard fans might not be convinced.
Conclusion: Velvet Acid Christ remains inspired by dark themes and obscure sound treatments, but also dares to explore other sonic paths. This artist remains a warrant for high-qualitative and dark electro music!
Best songs: “The Bullet Wins”, “Conjuro”, “Pill Box”, “Conviction”, “The Colors Of My Sadness”, “Adventures In Babysitting The Antichrist”.
Rate: (8½).
Artist: www.velvetacidchrist.com / www.facebook.com/VelvetAcidChristOfficial
Label: www.metropolis–records.com / www.facebook.com/MetropolisRecords
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