Listening to an album for reviewing for the first time in months can often feel like an eternity has passed; you feel a bit out of touch and wonder whether you’re doing it right, or worry that you have lost your touch. The album on which I was able to practise these reviewing skills after a very long time was Kaleidoscope, the latest release from gothic metallers AEVUM. Before this album, I hadn’t listened to the band or known anything about them; there is something curious and exciting about going into something unfamiliar. It makes the experience more mindful, and I definitely had a great time with this release. Let me explain.
The album opens up with D20 which is a great way to start things. The theatrical vocal work and whimsical musical arrangements make me think that this tune wouldn’t be out of place in a fantasy film or TV series from the ’80s. While a lot of album openers either seduce you in, hit you with an impact, or sometimes both, it was quite refreshing to come across a more easy-listening and calm opening track.
One of the meanings I found for “kaleidoscope” was a changing and enjoyable mixture or pattern. Throughout this record, I realised this phrase applied to a lot of the tracks. They made you stop and pay attention to every single detail. Below are a few examples:
Nightshade is a beautiful melody that wouldn’t be out of place in a film directed by Tim Burton. It would be interesting to hear an acoustic rendition of this track, as that would emphasise the delicate fragility that you can hear in this melody.
Fog of Fear is my personal favourite track of the album. You hear within the first few seconds that this song lives up to its name: the melody is very mysterious and you have no idea what’s coming around the corner. The track does very well to keep the listener on their toes.
The beautiful operatic vocal stylings in The Inquisition bring old-school TRISTANIA and SIRENIA to mind. This brings back a lot of nostalgia for me, as these were two bands that helped me discover this side of the metal scale. The dark melody further emphasises my thoughts of these two bands.
Ashes to Ashes wouldn’t be out of place at an alternative nightclub or in a video game; this is an infectious song that you must immerse yourself into. It ends with instrumental versions of D20 and Fog of Fear, which are worth sticking around for as these give you greater appreciation for the full versions earlier on.
Recovering from burnout is a strange thing. You want to feel better and get back to your version of normality as soon as possible, yet you don’t want to rush recovery and end up back at square one. Kaleidoscope helped me to stop and appreciate things musically again; it eased me in slowly and I had fun along the way.
Rating: 7/10
Words: Lotty Whittingham
Kaleidoscope is out now.
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