Artist: Merciful Nuns
Title: Xibalba III
Genre: Goth Rock
Release Date: 21st December 2011
Label: Solarlodge
Album Review
MERCIFUL NUNS (the follower of GARDEN OF DELIGHT) have previously released two albums ‘Lib.1’ and ‘Hypogeum II’ and now ‘Xibalba III’ was released later in December of the year just past. MERCIFUL NUNS title not only sounds as a word play on SISTERS OF MERCY, but their influence is audible and unmissable through the whole album (the most representative track of this is ‘Dark Trails’). The vocal sounds as Andrew Eldritch, which at times affects Carl McCoy from FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM. The latter’s influence can be heard at its most pronounced in ‘Year Zero (The Prophesy Of The Fifth World)’. Also in the fact that they seem to bind their work under an esoteric and mystical notion, however one, even if it’s reconstructed, that brings to mind the concept of NEPHILIM that McCoy has played with for years too, including the main motif of questioning the origin, place and nature of humanity in its metaphysical quest. However there are more influences still, the album starts with sequences that just can’t fail to bring to mind JOCELYN POOK’s ‘Masked Ball’ (from the “Flood” LP, which is also included in the soundtrack of Kubrick’s last movie Eyes Wide Shut).
However, though MERCIFUL NUNS bring a tinge of their own flavour it still sounds like a tribute band or a band of Eldritch’s lost sons. So if you’re trying to detox from SISTERS OF MERCY and FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM this is indeed your Methadone. Besides that, if you’ve missed the era it’s an entertaining and interesting album and considering how shambolic the live performances of SISTERS OF MERCY are, going to see concert of MERCIFUL NUNS might be a better occasion and one you might appreciate. Their mission is “... to ensure the survival of the Goth-Rock spirit of the 80's and early 90's into the modern era; to not only recollect the sound but also from a lyrical perspective, to recall the origins of Gothic culture” whilst they succeeded in keeping it alive, I’m not so sure about the bringing it to the modern era part. Though the old GARDEN OF DELIGHT took a lot of influences from SOM they seem just far too much pronounced here and one begins to appreciate why the other members went on their own paths and are much better off in their present bands / projects which tread more original waters.
Tracklist
01. The Prophecy
02. Radiation
03. Dark Trails
04. Year Zero (The Prophesy Of The Fifth World)
05. Ancient Astronauts
06. Dwelling Of Gods
07. The Return
08. In Between The Worlds
09. 13.0.0.0.0 (Bonus Track)
Line-up
Artaud Seth
Jawa Seth
Jón
Websites
http://www.mercifulnuns.com / www.myspace.com/mercifulnuns / https://www.facebook.com/pages/Merciful-Nuns/145696075454608
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 7
Sound: 7
Total: 7 / 10
Comments powered by CComment