'ROSENROT' - RAMMSTEIN

There is something about Rammstein's music that is immediately likeable. Almost infectious, and certainly unforgettable. Although not as fiery and explosive as their previous albums, 'Rosenrot' is no different. From open to close the trademark chugging of guitar and drums rolls overhead like a battalion of tanks, while Flake's keyboard swoops and swirls eerily, luring the listener ever closer. Till Lindemann, switching from grandfatherly master story-teller to pit-of-the-stomach bellowing baritone with no effort at all, tempts us with lyrics that most of us will never understand. And that is the beauty of Rammstein! It doesn't matter that we don't understand the words because it just adds to the magic and mystery of it all, and above all else it sounds fucking awesome!

After a break of several years, 'Rosenrot' is Rammstein's second studio album within the space of a year. By their own admission it is composed at least partially of leftover tracks from their last release 'Reise Reise'. But if you're expecting crappy off-cuts and last-minute hashes that have been thrown together to milk their recent reappearance, you'd be shamefully mistaken. 'Rosenrot' is a complete and powerful album in it's own right. The opener 'Benzin' oozes potency and will likely to go down as a classic. The title-track probably won't be far behind. Surprisingly, even 'Stirb Nicht Vor Mir (Don't Die Before Me)', sung as a duet with Texas frontwoman Sharleen Spiteri - the very idea of which sounds ludicrous - works beautifully......despite the fact that it sounds suspiciously like a re-write of Tristania's 'Shadowman.' This will be a stonker if they play it live!

The oddball of the album, 'Te Quiero Puta', sung in Spanish and accompanied with a ridiculous Spanish guitars, is the only disappointment. But even here, there is a feeling that they're just pissing about with us.

There have been stonger Rammstein albums, and this may not have the oomph that is by now expected from them, but this is yet another quality record from a great band. And let's face it, anyone who can sing about petrol and make it exciting has GOT to be worth a few quid!

4/5

CRADLE OF FILTH
+ Cathedral + Octavia Sperati.
The Forum, London.
Saturday 3rd December, 2005.


Unfortunately, due to the doors opening slightly later than expected, the all-female metallers Octavia Sperati had finished before most people made it inside. If they were as bad as Cathedral this is definitely a good thing - but I seriously doubt it. Nobody could be this bad! And quite frankly, there's no excuse for it. It may be only the third date on the tour, and the poor sound quality may have been working against them, but there is just no excuse for a performance this bad. The music was flat and lifeless. The singing (if you can call it that) was tuneless and one-dimensional. In fact it's debatable whether Lee Dorrian has even heard the term 'stage-presence', let alone knows understands its meaning. His idea of 'entertainment' seemed to be spreading his arms into the shape of a cross and shoving the microphone into his mouth to make stupid groaning noises. He just comes across as bored and completely uninterested in being there - either that or complacent enough to think that simply turning up deserves ecstatic applause. Whichever the case, it seems exeedingly ungrateful and childish considering the headliners. You'd think that ANY band supporting Cradle of Filth would shit themselves and play their arse off. You certainly wouldn't expect them to spend their time fucking around with the microphone.

The only respite from this pile of tripe comes with favourite, 'Hopkins (Witchfinder General)'. They throw themselves into this with just about everything they have and disappear off stage with at least reason to be proud. Why they saved it for the last song is beyond comprehension, especially since it is well within their ability to destroy venues like this.

After that dire performance it is up to the headliners to make amends. Of course, if there's anyone who could rescue this evening it's Cradle of Filth. They're not the biggest British metal band for no reason! And rescue us they do. Opening with the eerie orchestral chanting of Satyriasis before erupting into the formidable and scarily catchy hellfire of 'Gilded C*nt'. The first 20 minutes offer an almost ceaseless barrage of explosive power as they storm their way through the spine-tingling 'Medusa and Hemlock', 'the punishing brutality of 'Cthulhu Dawn', and the hideously enchanting 'Born In A Burial Gown'. Scorching guitars deliver an onslaught that's almost tangible - the riffs forcing their way into your mouth down your throat! Meanwhile Adrian Erlandson must surely be a demon in human form on the drums. How can anybody play so fast and so hard, for so long? Amid this infernal cacophany Dani Filth, wearing what looks like an over-sized loin cloth (thankfully he's hiding his belly this time with a leather corset) leaps around the stage, repeatedly ejecting his innards as he screams, howls, roars and grunts his way through the set list - demonstrating almost beyond a doubt that he has the most impressive vocal range of any man alive. All the while, trolls or gargoyles (or whatever it is they're supposed to be) roam the stage, clambering over monitors, risers and scaffolding.

The sound is still far from perfect, making some of the tracks difficult to identify at times, and also obscuring some of the more subtle and intricate parts - this is a real shame because aside fromthe theatrics this is what make Cradle of Filth such a unique and exciting band. But if they are actually aware of this, they simply make up for it by playing harder - like men possessed by the Satan himself! It doesn't seem to bother the crowd either, and mosh-pits ignite spontaneously throughout the show.

Despite the disappointing start to the evening, and the slightly disorientated trapeze acrobat during 'Nymphetamine', Cradle of Filth proved once again that they are the masters of extreme metal, and they put on a performance tonight that more than paid for any misgivings. They are a truly awesome band, and to see them live is something extraordinary.

4/5

'X & Y' - COLDPLAY


It's been 3 years since the release of 2002's 'A Rush of Blood to the Head' and this time has seen Chris Martin and friends trooping off into the rainforests in an attempt to save the world. Well, it still seems to be here and as far as I can tell we're all in one piece, so I guess they've been fairly successful. Unfortunately their music has taken a bit of a backseat. In fact, it's debatable whether Coldplay are best known for their music or just for their campaign to promote Fair Trade products.
Whatever the case may be, it seems that all the fresh air has done them some good: this is unmistakeable Coldplay, but it's also somehow......different. There are the still the same droney (sometimes whiney) vocals, still the same dreary bleak musical accompaniment, and the same steady (bordering on monotonous) rhythm - but this time round the sound is also fuller, deeper. It has atmosphere. You can almost feel yourself surrounded by tall trees, with only a glimps of the blue sky above you. There is, on some tracks, even a subtle sense of hope ('White Shadow', 'Talk', 'Speed of Sound'). The effect is quite remarkable. 'X and Y' is both relaxing and reassuing. It's the kind of album you're supposed to have memories to. Memories of moving house, finishing school or leaving university - memories of moving on - sad, but also hopeful. This album manages to capture exactly these feelings, the feelings that mark the most important moments in a person's life. For this very reason, if for nothing else, 'X and Y' is a great album. It makes you feel good. It makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside. And that is what music is supposed to do!

A lot of people don't like Coldplay. And if I'm completely honest (given my description of their music in the first paragraph) I can see why - although I don't agree with them. I happen to like Coldplay a lot . And it may only be my humble opinion, but this is their best album yet!

5/5