When talking about genre crossing in music there has surely never been a discussion about folk death metal with some 70's prog rock thrown in. Well now you have it with what may be the most original and bonkers album you will ever hear.
Artaius hail from Italy and pin their badge to the progressive rock movement of the 1970's that what so popular there. Not that any of the bands then would sound like this. Artaius take Celtic folk, mix in some black or death metal vocals and riffs and layer it all with the fiddly keyboard solo's so beloved of early Genesis or ELP. Oh...and add in some Irish whistles for the hell of it.
All this sound like a recipe for disaster, and there are moments where you will literally piss your pants laughing, but it is done which such aplomb you almost wonder if this is a practical joke. You find yourself sucked into their world and enjoying every barmy minute of it.
It all starts so normal, a nice Celtic inflected melody gives way to lovely female vocals. This then suddenly turns on its head with what can only be described as a strangled hyena yelling out the title of the song 'Make The Iguana'. Even better are the lyrics which I will let you discover for yourselves.
Musically it is stunningly adept as keyboards weave in and out of the riffing guitars interspersed with moments of delicate melody. 'Over the Hedge' sounds like ELP gone wrong but manages to hold itself together with its terrace anthem death metal vocal (yes, you heard right) while flutes bring 'Horizon' to life and bring to mind Jethro Tull.
Artaius obviously believe in what they do, there may even be a concept behind this album. Tempos change and random sequences of music develop the story, whatever that may be, giving a satisfying whole. It is maybe worth remembering that all the best prog from the 70's was ridiculously over the top and Artaius have joined that super club. Only difference here is that it is also so much fun.
