DIABLO SWING ORCHESTRA: Pacifisticuffs (FUSION METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Play a dancing and festive music avoiding all the clichés of the genre. This has been Diablo Swing Orchestra's daring bet for nearly fifteen years. Fifteen years of mastered madness, organized bazaar and crazy albums, dominated by the virtuosity of the musicians and their proven sense of composition. And even if the band has not been spared frequent staff changes, the constant quality of their productions has never been affected and commands respect. This is still the case with this fourth album, "Pacifisticuffs", for which the change of line-up even proves to be a blessing.

To replace Annlouice Loegdlund, who had left to devote herself to her career as an opera singer, the Swedes hired a new singer: Kristin Evegard. And what a singer! No need to look any further for Kate Bush's hidden daughter, Diablo Swing Orchestra has found her. Her vocal presence, her modulations, her mastered lyricism and her infinite variations permeate the compositions and bring to the band's music a new pop dimension ('Knuckelhugs'), sometimes flirting with the musical ('Climbing The Eyewall').

'Pacifisticuffs' is a synthesis of everything that makes up the richness and addictive groove of Diablo Swing Orchestra, that delightful mix of metal riffs and brass band ('The Age Of Vulture Culture'), Slavic fiddle and New Orleans jazz ('Karma Bonfire'), film music and disco (the brilliant 'Jigsaw Hustle'). With a foray into the bluegrass of the hitherto unexplored bayou ('Porch Of Perception'). Composed of nine tracks and four musical interludes, the album shines as much for its eclecticism and its incredible coherence as for the exceptional virtuosity of the musicians and the accuracy of the compositions.

Less metal than the previous opuses but more accessible, "Pacifisticuffs" will delight by its unbridled side the Diablo Swing Orchestra's fans and will be, for the uninitiated, the ideal gateway to the teeming universe of this band apart. - Official website

DIABLO SWING ORCHESTRA

PACIFISTICUFFS

SPINEFARM RECORDS

FUSION METAL