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Upon its release in 1997, Arcturus's "La Masquerade Infernale" was somewhat of a mini-revolution for the metal scene. But what is it that makes this album so important? Its sheer, mind-bending, ridiculously theatrical take on metal, and it's unrelenting experimentation make it both an oddity and a revelation. The metal scene has had its fair share of innovation, to be sure, but Arcturus took it to another level like never before with "La Masquerade Infernale". Just listen to the first track, "Master Of Disguise". An echoey introduction with deep strings, effects and a sheep-like voice gives way to Garm's wildly operatic vocals, strange, alien riffs, onto a ghostly bass sound that bridges to Sverd's masterful piano and violin arangements, with more insane operatic vocals, etc. The album throws so many curve-balls at the listener that it becomes a pleasure, and a chore, to figure it all out... but once you do, it's something special. There is a high level of composition at work here. "Ad Astra" is a heavily orchestral work, with beautiful violin arrangements and electronic effects. It works its way towards a truly epic conclusion, with some great keyboard playing. One of the greatest highlights is "The Chaos Path", which sees Garm in a duet with former Borknagar vocalist Simen Haestnes. Starting with a gothic-sounding hard rock / metalish intro, it suddenly bursts into a truly awesome and demented vocal performance from Simen, outshining Garm completely. This is circus, CIRCUS metal, and it rules. Another standout is the most accessible track on the album, "The Throne Of Tragedy". It opens with a strange voice against a backdrop of echoey, distant guitars, somewhat like "Master Of Disguise". The main riff is probably the most memorable on the album, and the song is both catchy and experimental, with some truly excellent melodies. "Painting My Horror" presents some lovely and deranged riffs, with a spooky atmosphere about it. "Of Nails And Sinners" is more of the same, but when the same is so unusual, that isn't a mundane thing. Of note is the fact that throughout the album the lyrics are excellent and suit the mood perfectly, with just the right amount of luciferian poetry and threatricality. With an album like "La Masquerade Infernale" it really is hard to give a reader an idea of what to expect in mere words. The music speaks for itself, the only sour thing I can think of is the fact that the song structures can sometimes be too muddled. As much as I love that first track, it suffers from a lack of flow, as do some of the other tracks. Overall, it's alienating, experimental, avant-garde in a genuine sense, frustrating, amazing, and recommended. It is like metal as a theatrical opera on acid. This suits no one other than a real adventurer.
| Tracklist |
| 1. Master Of Disguise |
| 2. Ad Astra |
| 3. The Chaos Path |
| 4. La Masquerade Infernale |
| 5. Alone |
| 6. The Throne Of Tragedy |
| 7. Painting My Horror |
| 8. Of Nails And Sinners |
: 45.20
| Buy other Arcturus albums |
