Diablo Swing Orchestra 'The Butcher's Ballroom' review
Release date: 2006
Label(s): Gillioutine Grooves
Duration: 50:13
Details
- Balrog Boogie
- Heroines
- Poetic Pitbull Revolutions
- Rag Doll Physics
- D'Angelo
- Velvet Embracer
- Gunpowder Chant
- Infralove
- Wedding March for a Bullet
- Qualms of Conscience
- Zodiac Virtues
- Porcelain Judas
- Pink Noise Waltz
Review
I'm going to attempt to review an album that left me speechless. Wish me luck. First things first, the Diablo Swing Orchestra are a Swedish band with quite a history, and this is their debut album.
Drawing on influences from various sources — Flamenco, Middle-Eastern music, Italian Opera to name a few — the 'Orchestra have produced something really special. A wonderfully eclectic mix of thirteen great songs with one thing in common — a striking blend of originality, musicianship, and pure unadulterated fun. Right from the album's jazzy opening track, "Balrog Boogie," to the closing "Pink Noise Waltz," you're treated to some of the most unique metal you're ever likely to hear.
Standout tracks include the fun Spaghetti Western-esque "Poetic Pitbull Revolutions", the moody Eastern instrumental "Gunpowder Chant", the riff-driven "Infralove" (which features some very enjoyable guitar work, particularly during the solo), the contrasting and catchy duet "Rag Doll Physics," and the hard rock-meets-Middle-East "Porcelain Judas."
Producer, mixer and engineer Pelle Saether also deserves a mention, as his production really does justice to the band's range of sounds. If I had one gripe, it would be that the male vocals are slightly underused, but that's a very minor complaint. To conclude, this is a very interesting and entertaining album that truly is different to anything else out there.
9/10