I have to confess to knowing nothing about Portugal's music scene, therefore as someone who's always interested in music that exists outside of the US-UK axis, I was pretty stoked to be given the opportunity to pen a few words about Lisbon's Louvado Abismo S/T debut.
Despite being a new band, it comprises pretty seasoned members from a wide range of diverse artistic backgrounds including theatre actress Patrícia Andrade (ex-Sinistro) – Vocals, Hugo Conim (Dawnrider/The Limit) – Guitars, Pedro Almeida (Scum Liquor/A Tree of Signs) - Drums, and Hélder Luís (Mozart Meets Chaos/The Sleeper has Awakened) on Bass. The album's promotional notes offers a promise that the album will delve 'into the depths of the abyss through the intricate layers of schizophrenia and psychological disturbance'. Well that's me sold.
'Louvado Abismo' (Praised Abyss), starts off with pummelling Industrial Metal Guitar that recalled vintage Ministry Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs era, think 'N.W.O'. This is soon met with cool Deathrock ala 45 Grave (spooky sounding keyboards in tow). Both aforementioned genres are perfectly balanced here, making for a fantastic opener. 'Alma Incandescente' is more rooted in Post-Punk with Patricia's theatrical sounding Vocals like a Portuguese blend of Perry Farrell from Jane's Addiction (who started his career in Psi Com, a Goth-Rock/Post-Punk outfit so this isn't too far fetched a comparison) and Jaz Coleman of Killing Joke. In fact on a musical level the latter with their apocalyptic vision is especially pertinent. Gloomy brilliance. 'Corrida Lenta' (Slow Running), sees some Christian Death admiration in the shape of The Wind Kissed Pictures EP one of the better post Rozz Williams efforts before things started to get really silly and melodramatic while 'Espuma' (Foam) has blackened elements ala Celtic Frost and the eccentric and experimental output to be found on the deservedly critically acclaimed Into The Pandemonium. High praise indeed.
'Bons Ventos' (Good Winds) continues the Metal vibes found on the preceding track, this time Frost's"Wine in My Hand (Third from the Sun)" from the comeback Vanity/Nemesis record after their disastrous flirtation with Glam, mixed in with some Siouxsie and the Banshees, superb. 'Vazio'(Empty) is an atmospheric piece that feels more like an instrumental what with the Vocals being strangely muted and a little inaudible. As such it seems perfectly constructed for Halloween, which is a complement by the way. 'Dois Sóis' (Two Suns) is Gothic Metal in the vein of latter period Paradise Lost and Type O Negative as well as the catchy bombast of Sisters of Mercy. A more contemporary reference point being London's Light of the Morning Star. Over the top yet brilliantly effective and a sure fire hit at Goth clubs. By comparison 'Corpo Inerte' (Inert Body) is sombre and emotionally impactful and even without the use of a lyric sheet or knowledge of the Portuguese language it showed that music can transcend such barriers. 'Mundo' (World) again is more tasty Deathrock of the early 80's LA variety which had a subtler sound to its later English counterpart. Tribal style Drums, swirling Keyboards and crafted Guitarwork in the fashion of the late, great John McGeogh, glorious. Finally the use of Classical instrumentation on actual instrumental 'Ausente' (Absent) helps draw the album to a haunting and mellow conclusion. The song sounds so quiet that you may need to readjust your speakers just to make sure they're still functioning, sublime.
Louvado Abismo have delivered a powerfully diverse and enchanting work, and the scary thing is that its only their debut! Expect to hear even more greatness on future efforts.
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