« The Shadows’ Madame » (re-release)
2013
Initially, vocalist Cadaveria and drummer Marçelos Santos left to explore different artistic and musical avenues from what OPERA IX were doing at the time and the result was the very excellent, « The Shadows’ Madame« , released in 2002 via Scarlet Records. Last year marked a return to the album to «improve» the sound and look by the label Black Tears. Being out of print for some time, this reissue will allow wanton fans to enjoy a remastered version complete with new artwork!
For many, remastering an album after so many years may be seen as an attempt at correcting old mistakes or simply allowing fans to experience an album that has been out of print. DIMMU BORGIR’s, « Stormblast » was met with harsh criticism for «playing» with the formula that originally fans adored. Such «blasphemy» isn’t the case here. Album opener, « Spell« , once again is as manic and exuberant as ever with the infamous Classical intro that kicks things off with purpose and grit! Thankfully, Cadaveria’s voice hasn’t changed either and she still retains the impassioned rasp that listeners initially salivated to. Meanwhile, « In Memory of Shadows’ Madame » and « Circle of Eternal Becoming » both hold to the foreboding and sinister moods, using a hypnotic main riff and evoking a dark, determined drive.
Contrary to some, CADAVERIA don’t use the studio to pound their ideas home, but leave open spaces for the instruments to breathe and highlight key moments of brilliance. « The Magic Rebirth« , for example, features quite a «rock-inspired» solo to close the song, while « Black Glory » chugs away in headbanging bliss with soft keys hidden in the background for added aura. However, with all its breathing room, the album doesn’t seem to place much emphasis on the low end of the sound. Bass is audibly absent or so far hidden deep within the mix that it barely seems there.
Still, for fans who have never heard CADAVERIA’s premier album, « The Shadows’ Madame« , the rerelease will provide a nice gateway into the Italian’s world. However, for those with prior knowledge of their Gothic-tinged Death Metal, the remastered version will seem wholly unnecessary for those who already own it. Granted, true to the original version, the songs have kept all the elements that made the album great. Thanks be to Satan(!), someone picked it up and made it widely available again for fans to devour!
Standout Tracks: Spell, In Memory of Shadows’ Madame, Black Glory
8.5/10
Chris
