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vocal beauty. "Enchantment" is a much more original work, combining whiplash guitar riffs and a slow burning pace that builds in power and then drops back from whence it came. Candia's vocals never sounded more wonderful (I would have used the word Ethereal but I used up all of this months quota on my review of Enya's Amarantine album) and the keyboard breaks never more otherworldly and this song more than any other featured here clearly show the bands understanding of musical dynamic A different twist begins "Catherine" as a brooding, booming bassline is given centre stage with a single guitar filling the background space, subdued lyrics and simple drumming falling behind it, but its not until the repetitive chorus that the song begins to come alive. It remains very sombre, even when the pace has been picked up and the alternate use of mass male vocal and single female voice makes for an interesting contrast. It is an effective but simple idea; a song that works but doesn't need to go on for too long and as such is over before you know it, leaving you wanting more. That want is sated by the ecclesiastical keyboard introduction of "Church of Madness" and as these Bach-esque tones give way to full blown metal guitars and Candia's hard hitting tale of Torquemada and the Spanish Inquisition, this song grows to become one of the more powerful on the album. Two more songs pass in similar vein before we come to the final track "Devils". With Bob Gardener drumming for his life and guitars and keyboard mixing in a wall of undefined noise the vocals are laid back in contrast to the music behind it. There is a hint of madness itself in the composition of the song, eerie vocals occasionally drift through like disembodied ghosts and all the time a relentless onslaught of music drives us on the edge of the abyss and finally it is replaced by silence and this collection of the bands work is at a close.

The band have had a longer history since this album was compiled than before it and it may not be overly representative of their current work, though its certainly not a million miles away. That said it's a great snapshot of their early days and certainly highlights the bands philosophy and musical and lyrical trappings. Its essentially rock, although for reasons given before they seem to have picked up a gothic tag, but if you like your rock dark and mystical, then this is for you. Even if lyrically this is something that you don't necessarily relate to it's a music that has the quality to move you mind, body and soul. Whether it makes you want to dance around like a whirling dervish fist punching the air or makes you want to relax and let the haunting beauty wash over you, its an album that you will want to play over and over again.

for more info, giglist and album purchase check out:

http://www.inkubussukkubus .com/

Learn more about this author, Dave Franklin.
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