Merlin - The Mortal review
| Band: | Merlin |
| Album: | The Mortal |
| Style: | Psychedelic rock, Stoner metal |
| Release date: | August 2019 |
01. Prologue
02. Tower Fall
03. Chaos Blade
04. Ashen Lake
05. Mindflayer
06. Basilisk
07. Metamorphosis
08. The Mortal Suite
Hey, it's the saxophone jazzy stoner metal band! No, not Messa. The other one.
Merlin caught my eye with last year's The Wizard [read all about it], coincidentally their first album with Stu Kersting, who plays guitars but most importantly saxophone. I was a bit surprised to learn that it was their fourth album, making The Mortal their fifth. The relatively short time frame between the two did make me wonder whether it will be more of the same and whether they'll be able to integrate the saxophone even better. Yes and no. Or rather no and yes.
The Mortal is clearly a step forward from the The Wizard, taking the sound that the latter had and making it more brooding and lush, sounding more akin to the latest album by that other band I mentioned in the intro, which is a pretty high standard. There still are some grooves that would've fit on The Wizard, but for the most part it is a mesmerizing mood that captivates the entirety of The Mortal, which is where the saxophone does a lot more work than previously. So yes, it is better integrated, and no, it's not more of the same. But it's quite chaotic and wild even at its mellowest.
It's not just the saxophone that makes The Mortal stand out, with some guest musicians adding some accordion and trumpet as well, not to mention that the band has three guitarists, but two of them also do sax, flutes or keyboards, so there are plenty of sounds to hear here. And whether moody and jazzy or groovy and psychedelic, Merlin manage to create some very convincingly great melodies. There's a bit of work left on the flow and the production, especially the latter, but this is such a great step forward that I don't have any doubt that Merlin have the potential to grow even further even at such a "late" period in their career.
Of course, as with the last album everything is wrapped up with a suite, the longest track on the album, that brings together everything that made the album great. It's still far from being among the best in its genre, but it does just enough great to still be up for consideration.
 | Written on 31.08.2019 by Doesn't matter that much to me if you agree with me, as long as you checked the album out. |
Comments
Comments: 9
Visited by: 74 users
| Batlord666 Posts: 145 From: USA |
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| nikarg Posts: 7039 From: Greece  |
I think the only problem with this is that the sax is so sexy that when it is not there the music is somewhat less interesting. Obviously they are very good musicians and even though I am not entirely convinced by the songwriting, I like the doom/jazz fusion a lot.
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| JoHn Doe Posts: 4874  |
Sounds good, definitely gonna listen to this. Thanks!
---- I thought the two primary purposes for the internet were cat memes and overreactions.
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| tominator At best deranged Posts: 1061 From: Belgium  |
I just love the energy that this record has. It feels fresh and fun. And it's one of those records that goes by so fast that you realise you're listening to the last song of the album already. I agree though that the production could use some tweaking. Especially the drums, they are regularly pushed a bit too much to the background.
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| Auntie Sahar Drone Empress Posts: 5934 From: USA  |
Written by nikarg on 01.09.2019 at 11:21 Then might I recommend... 
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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| Auntie Sahar Drone Empress Posts: 5934 From: USA |
Just passed the second track but I can tell already that this is some pretty great material. Good review of it. I think I actually enjoy this a good bit more than Messa, seems a little more airy and atmospheric which makes it a lot easier to fall back and get lost in.
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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| nikarg Posts: 7039 From: Greece |
Written by Auntie Sahar on 11.09.2019 at 21:27 Not bad at all, even though it's a bit too droney for my taste and I'm out of mood enhancer  at the moment Written by Auntie Sahar on 12.09.2019 at 00:15 This sort of statement can really start a war between us 
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| Auntie Sahar Drone Empress Posts: 5934 From: USA |
Quote:Written by nikarg on 12.09.2019 at 02:15 I'll be standing by it! The melodies have been stuck in my head for a good while after listening, it's really attention grabbing. Also playing through it for the second time now I pick up some resemblance to old school prog too, a bit of Jethro Tull or King Crimson influence in the mix, I think. Definitely not a bad thing
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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| nikarg Posts: 7039 From: Greece |
Written by Auntie Sahar on 12.09.2019 at 02:50 Don't get me wrong, I like the album. It's just that Messa are way too awesome for me.
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