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CREEPER
(UNITED KINGDOM)
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SANGUIVORE II: MISTRESS OF DEATH
(2025)
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LABEL:
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GENRE:
ROCK
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TAGS:
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"More monolithic, less versatile, and above all less sophisticated than “Sanguivore,” “Sanguivore II: Mistress of Death” feels like an exercise in style, desperately trying to tick all the boxes of the genre, even if it means falling into clichés."
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3/5
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Given the title, it wasn't hard to guess that “Sanguivore II: Mistress of Death” is the sequel to the excellent “Sanguivore,” released in 2023. On the menu: vampires, violence, and debauchery! Once again, Creeper called on Tom Dalgety for production, known for his work with bands such as Rammstein, Opeth, and Ghost.
While “Sanguivore” marked a stylistic shift towards more complex and darker music, this second volume confirms Creeper's desire to delve into the intricacies of gothic pop/rock reminiscent of the 1980s, while aiming to be much more direct. The arrangements have been greatly simplified, both in terms of the guitars, which don't shine in terms of originality with their basic riffs, and the drums, which are generally content to keep time with binary rhythms.
With the exception of the fast-paced 'Headstones' which takes us straight back to Motörhead, 'Mistress Of Death' which could have appeared on one of the previous albums, and 'Razor Wire' with its piano bar feel illuminated by a saxophone solo, the tracks are steeped in a gloomy, twilight atmosphere that is fortunately brightened only by the countless backing vocals. Will Gould's vocals are no strangers to this feeling, as he has decided to stick to a low register on all his solo parts, bordering on caricature, his range not really seeming suited to this type of vocals.
More monolithic, less versatile, and above all less racy than “Sanguivore,” “Sanguivore II: Mistress of Death” has all the hallmarks of a stylistic exercise that seeks at all costs to tick all the boxes of the genre, even if it means falling into clichés and leaving behind a fringe of fans who are just as disappointed not to find the rich sound of the last three works as they are frustrated by the dull vocal lines of Will Gould, who had accustomed us to so much better. While some will be a little too quick to hail it as genius, others will soon realize that we've heard better in this style, notably from Alice Cooper and Ghost. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. A Shadow Stirs
02. Mistress Of Death
03. Blood Magick (It’s A Ritual)
04. Headstones
05. Prey For The Night
06. Daydreaming In The Dark
07. Parasite
08. Razor Wire
09. From The Depths Below
10. The Black House
11. The Crimson Bride
12. Pavor Nocturnus
LINEUP:
Hannah Greenwood: Chant / Claviers
Ian Miles: Guitares
Jake Fogarty: Batterie
Sean Scott: Basse
Will Gould: Chant
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READERS
4/5 (1 view(s))
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STAFF:
3/5 (1 view(s))
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