Customer Reviews

Immersion

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Band: Mephisto Walz
CD: Immersion
Reviewed by: Mike Ventarola

This reviewer admits to having first been stunned by their work which was included on the Cleopatra 4 CD Goth Box that was popular a couple of years ago. From that point, it became a mission to collect their work as much as possible.

Some of Mephisto's earlier works also included German lyrics, which to some novices can be a bit daunting. The tracks on Immersion are sung in English, which may or may not detract from their European legion of fans, however it is and always will be the great mood, tone and sound accompanied by Christianna's delicious vocals which will draw in fans, old and new alike. Even if one were not aware of Bari-Bari's connection with the band Christian Death, this work he has created remains a true testament to the wealth and brilliance of the artistry that is frequently lacking in the underground.

On some levels this current recording is a nod towards the darker days of New Wave as it was hybridizing its roots with the post punk scene and evolving to become the "goth" sound. Reverberation of vocals and instruments often gives the feeling of being in a darkened club, so essentially they have managed to capture a goth club feeling without the listener ever needing to leave their living room. It is not every band that is able to take the nightclub feeling and deliver it on a recording, however Mephisto Walz manages to convey this flawlessly with each recording. Needless to say, it is often an oasis of musical water to the ears to listen to this at work when one is surrounded by abysmal light FM radio admirers. At least by listening to this wondrous CD, I can allow my mind to hearken back to the last club experience or look forward to the next one in order to get through the day.

Besides the trademark guitar licks, the lyrics indicate an older but wiser band. We are brought through imaginary gardens where life is viewed from a distant perspective. Introspection culminates in a semblance of self responsibility while the world around us is in disarray and decay, pretty much reflecting the outward human condition and the world around us. Christianna breathes life into the lyrics by delving into the raw passion to render them beyond mere words, yet parlays an appropriate level of apathetic distancing when a particular song demands it.

When in doubt which music one should purchase as an introduction to the gothic underground, Mephisto Walz remains a consistent band with quality sound that needs to be a part of any collection.

This is a great band... the guitarist (plus former (?) members Johann Schumann and David Glass) have each participated in the seminal Christian Death, but don't let that fool you!! This is artwork, a piece of melancholy and poetry in musical form. It's a very beautiful CD, and the singers voice is amazing! Perhaps one of the best CD's I've heard in awhile!

It's actually a three-and-a-half star CD. I've enjoyed Mephisto Walz for about five years, but "Immersion" doesn't have the same variety or punch as "Thalia" or "The Eternal Deep." It's not a bad album, but it's not the best introduction to this band.

The pros:
Christianna Leonard still writes good, solid lyrics with a lot of mytholgical references and nature imagery. She's on key, and she keeps her vocals firmly in the mid-range, like a less dynamic Monica Richards (Faith and The Muse).

A question:
Is "Immersion" a theme album? The similarity of beat and rhythm among the songs suggests so, but it could just be writer's block.

The cons:
The mixing is not well done. (Perhaps it was harder to finance recording with two members absent.) The vocals, guitars and drums are all right at the same level; this gives the songs an unintentionally "flat" sound. The songs share pretty much the same beat, structure and melodies. It's competent, but less inspired than earlier releases. As another reviewer noted, the "reading" of some lyrics is a distraction.

There are high points. "Age of Nothing" has a little snarl to it. "The Tyger" sets a good darkwave mood, and is a reminder that Christianna is pretty well-read. "Ode to The West Wind" has more minor chord drama than the ten songs before, so it's a good finale.

Again, not a bad album - just not their best. I have high hopes for the next one.

Mephisto Walz is one of my very favorite Gothic bands, and I have been a Goth since the 1980's. I love the singer's lovely ethereal voice, and she is well-read as well--demonstrated by the song "The Tyger" and others. My favourite track is "The Garden of Proserpine" (Proserpine is an arch-demoness), and I love this whole CD, in fact I play it often. This and Eternal Deep are among my favourite Gothic CD's. Dark, mysterious, wonderful band...

This is good music to anyone who loves SS but I like this even more. The tracks are weird and sicko, like SS's songs too, but in a different way. When SS music is very explicitly wacko, MW music seems to come from a deeper, darker, more subtle psychological issues. I would have given 5 stars if tracks 3 and 7 weren't such disappointments. I would also like to hear the vocalist sing a bit more and speak/rap a bit less.

This is brilliant, what an incredible mixture of gothic operatic overtones. Thunderous choir and joy, deep textures of mellodic shimmers. Creeping graciousness , crawling to the cortex of the soul. Willowy yet stern, vivacious yet crude. Every time they put out a cd, its seems to get better and better.

yEH.