Subterranean Masquerade - Temporary Psychotic State
The End Records - TE042 - April 2004
By Paddy Walsh
This is a two song EP from a supergroup of sorts.
Subterranean Masquerade contains members of
Agalloch,
Novembers Doom and
Winds. Thus it is unsurprising that much of
Temporary Psychotic State sounds like a mixture of its creators' other bands. The acoustic guitars have a very
Agolloch feel to them, while it also contains many doom and proggy elements. In fact, this is very good.
Perhaps the easiest way to describe
Subterranean Masquerade would be as a kind of
Agalloch meets
Opeth meets
La Masquerade Infernale-era
Arcturus. Interested? Well you should be. As already stated this is permeated with folky,
Agallooch-esque forays into acoustic territory. There is a playfulness to this, however, that cries
Arcturus at times, while
Opeth can be recalled when the band get going and bring in some death growls. There is an abundance of keyboards and orchestral arrangements that do wonders for the atmosphere on
Temporary Psychotic State, and the whole thing has a very grandiose air.
Opener and title track 'Temporary Psychotic State' consists of a build-up, half of which has a very folky guitar line with some nice
Opethian lead overdubs. I'm sure the band members will hate me for mentioning
Opeth, but it's difficult not to think of the Swedish death-proggers at times. Anyway, the track builds up into a mesmerizing crescendo of keyboards, guitars and growls with some great double bass work from drummer Tino LoSicco. The second track 'Observation Through Metamorphosis' continues in a similar vein, and even has some great female vocals. These actually fit in with the music, as opposed to being some kind of half hearted attempt at elegance - a problem for many bands in a similar vein to
Subterranean Masquerade.
At once bleak yet strangely uplifting, and equipped with excellent production, the only real problem with this release its painfully short length. A proper full-length album from these guys could indeed be something special, and I'd take this over the latest
Agalloch or
Winds album any day, as it's an infinitely more exciting proposition.
8.5/10
Official Subterranean Masquerade Website
Official The End Records Website
