Demetra Sine Sie – Council From Kaos My Kingdom Music By: Stephanie Nolasco

With Italy having few bands impacting rock music in the states, there was hope that Genovan newcomers Demetra Sine Die would actually be a dark alternative metal import worth listening to. Sadly, Demetra Sine Die’s debut album Council From Kaos only manages to entice with their album cover of a faceless woman bearing her large breasts. Beyond their smart advertisement, listeners will expect to hear too-long psychedelic meets goth melodies, missing head banging riffs, and a lead singer whose gentle, soft vocals don’t create the chaos and mayhem that their album promises.    With Demetra Sine Die’s brief success in joining the metal scene, it’s surprising to hear how their debut album could have failed to empower the masses. Little is known about the trio other than vocalist Marco Paddeu and drummer Marcello Fattore started their group in 2003 and since then have toured with Norwegian bands Theatre of Tragedy and Gothminister. For Council From Kaos, Tommy Talamanca of famed Italian death metal band Sadist recorded, produced, and even played keyboards on the album. The result sounds more like a gloomy chant instead of a monstrous spectacle that can command thousands in an arena.    With some major work at a dark recording dungeon, perhaps Council From Kaos could have triggered fans to raid the other side of the earth just to see Demetra Sine Die perform, but they still need to practice making good music. “Blood and Water” is slow with Adriano Magliocco’s shaky baseline, Fattore’s barely-there drumming, and Paddeu’s weak, breathless vocals struggling to release his inner demons. Even as the song grows quicker with mediocre guitar riffs and more persistent drumming, Paddeu never exercises the strength he may possess in his voice. “Ethik” teases with over two minutes of instrumental buildup, resembling near-orgasmic sex leading to a disappointing nothing. Paddeu’s gentle croons against clashing cymbals and an eerie tune fits an X-Files episode, not a song about his pessimistic view of the world. “Magma” channels Tool with their lengthy, dense track dueling with the hypnotic, brooding musical composition that drives listeners mad, like a captivating siren that, as Paddeu implies, can cause men to drown themselves. It’s about time the front man releases a roar that awakens. “Skinless” goes tribal with repetitive spell-casting drumming and an echoing guitar creating an emotional spiral that runs slow, but drives people to continue listening. “So, leave me skinless, No compromises or masks,” Paddeu wails, creating a mysterious, lingering tune that their audience will actually listen to. If Demetra Sine Die had surprised people with well-crafted songs in Council From Kaos, then maybe there would be more promise of Italians taking over stages worldwide, providing memorable music of despair and the courage to rise above all.

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Published on: 2008-09-30 (562 reads)