It’s really astonishing the way it touches us. That’s why I like to let my ears open to some new scenes. Of course, all of them in any way related to Metal. With all due respect I pass the others.
As my fan may have noticed throught the more than 1,000 reviews I wrote here, I do have a thing for Prog, Art Rock and Prog Metal. To be true, I’d say that I prefer Art Rock and Prog Rock than Prog Metal. I guess Dream Theater have left some trauma on me. Maybe so. Also maybe because I found Pink Floyd and Emerson, Lake and Palmer before Prog metal. I really don’t know. Ok, whatever…
Here we’ve got a very distinctive band. A band that smoothly travels through all those labels I mentioned and many more . Even though with a strong foot on Art Rock and I guess because of it. More distinctively the 1980s Art Rock as Marillion used to do. But I guess Marillion aren’t exactly the band to compare with as Subterranean Masquerade mix in the pot generous doses of pop and some oriental guided – or thought – music. In this burning mix the band also mix some doses of Extreme Metal. Even though this doesn’t make Subterranean Masquerade a Prog Metal band. They are much more near the Art Rock as I said. The first notes of “Mountain Fever” reminded me of another band I reviewed a few days ago – White Void with “Anti.” The mix is pretty similar. But soon Subterranean Masquerade went farther.
Opening track “Snake Charmer” is pretty near the 1980s Prog Rock with generous doses of the elegantish pop made that time. At least they used to think it was elegant. But this song is. It’s interesting that it seems the band has thoroughly thought all notes of the song. each note seems to be in the right place. Slowly and subtly Subterranean Masquerade go introducing oriental elements in the cauldron. Following track “Diaspora, My Love” has a strong taste of 1960s pop songs. Maybe just the keyboards that reminds a little The Beatles. Even thoug the song has a violent plot twist and vocals and guitars approach to Metal. Exquisitve mix. I guess the band would be better explained as a melting pot of influences as it flows through styles and sonancies very easily. Tittle track “Mountain Fever” chorus and backing vocals has a tone that could remind me Kiss songs from “Unmasked” era. Curious. By the way, besides all that the band goes adding more and more oriental music elements just to spice the stew as long it gets heavier with some death grows and some strong guitars in the middle of all. I guess only an Art Rock band could do that. Pushing just a bit harder, I’d say that “Inwards” goes near a kind of early Jazz Rock done in the 1960s, but always with the crossing elements. This album is a travel in time.
“Mountain Fever” is such a pretty interesting album to the fan that is curious of some cutting edge music that it’s not Metal, but has some references of it. Musicwise a very demanding and daring album.
Subterranean Masquerade “Mountain Fever” was released on May 14th via Sensory.
Track Listing:
- Snake Charmer
- Diaspora, My Love
- Mountain Fever
- Inwards
- Somewhere I Sadly Belong
- The Stillnox Oratory
- Ascend
- Ya Shema Evyonecha
- For the Leader, With Strings Music
- Mångata
Watch “Ascend” official video here:
