When I listened to The Nightmare Becomes Reality by the Swedish prog band Anima Morte for the first time, I had to think of the music made in the seventies. Especially the Italian progressive rock band Goblin crossed my mind, a band that recorded albums that mainly contained instrumental movie soundtracks for several Dario Argento films, including Profondo Rosso (Deep Red) (1975) and Suspiria (1977). Their music was inspired by groups like Yes, Genesis, King Crimson, Gentle Giant and Emerson, Lake & Palmer. In a way this is also the case with Anima Morte. Searching on the internet I learned that I was right. This Swedish band are definitely inspired by the horror rock of Goblin. I also found out that Anima Morte is the brainchild of Fredrik Klingwall who founded the band in 2004 in order to re-create the music of the famous Italian movies by Argento. In 2005 Klingwall asked Stefan Granberg to join and the Anima Morte project took off. In 2007 they released the EP Viva Morte! followed by the first full-length CD Face The Sea Of Darkness in the same year. In 2010 the single Anima Morte / Hooded Menace appeared on vinyl and 2011 saw the reissue of Face The Sea Of Darkness on LP and CD with some bonus tracks and finally the latest CD The Nightmare Becomes Reality. The band also contributed to several albums released by the Colossus-project like The Tales Of Edgar Allan Poe, Cani Arrabbiati and Rökstenen, all released by the French Musea-label. Nowadays, the line-up consists of Daniel Cannerfelt (electric and acoustic guitars), Stefan Granberg (bass, bouzouki, electric and acoustic guitars, synthesizer), Fredrik Klingwall (synthesizer, Mellotron, Fender Rhodes piano, Moog Taurus pedals, additional guitars) and Teddy Möller (drums). On the new album they're assisted by Mattias Olsson (percussion, bowed guitars, noise general) and Jerk Wååg (piano, violin) who both add an extra dimension to the music which especially applies to the violin. Like I mentioned before, all tracks on the album are instrumental, but you hardly lack any vocal performances due to the fact that the musicians manage to create a strong musical atmosphere including outstanding climaxes. The Mellotrons and acoustic pianos are in general the leading instruments. The guitars have a more supportive role and are scarcely used to perform solos. All tracks are high-leveled, but I can't deny that I have some personal favourites. Corridor Of Blood and Contamination are superb tracks with strong piano and Mellotron-parts. Those pieces just grabbed me by the throat. If you like strong instrumental progressive rock with beautiful Mellotron-parts, this record is highly recommended. So, for people who like bands as King Crimson, ELP, Anekdoten and Änglagård with hints of the Italian horror soundtracks then Anima Morte certainly is their cup of tea. **** Henri Strik (edited by Peter Willemsen) Where to buy? |
