Bakelit No Fear Of Drowning progressive Voyages Review PV050
Bakelit – No Fear Of Drowning Progressive Voyages Review PV050
Bakelit are a group from Sweden who were a result of a collaboration of Carl Westholm and musicians who had been involved with acts such as Carptree and Jupiter Society these being musicians who understand what is needed at the right time.
I have to say whilst an interesting concept I actually found this music both too dark and too negative for my own liking, although I acknowledge that others may feel totally different to me, the music is harsh and has strong electronic elements to it, It also only has 6 fairly lengthy tracks.
The album begins with the track From The Underground, which opens with a looping synthesiser motif and some electronic drums as we are asked to Save us All, this is very dense musically with lots of words and strong rhythmic musical sections, It does improve with more listening but initially I was largely unimpressed by it.
It will probably appeal do folks who like a darker nihilistic, philosophy and way of life on this level you can see what Bakelit are striving towards, a belief that social structures need to be destroyed before a new better society can be developed.
Moment Of Peace is next and this is about finding peace in death, a quite disturbing song really, the synthesiser sequences are very effective here even if the subject matter is disquieting in nature, the track has a good guitar solo and a strong driving bassline that make a good impression.
We Still Hate You is next again this is a very negative song without a single trace of warmth or light. It’s all about hating someone for everything they say or do, I actually find it sad that they feel this way about life, it is such a very draining attitude to hold and one that brings little comfort to life.
Weak, Immature, Aggressive is next and here we find more disappointment and dissatisfaction in life, again the powerful synths backing sounds strong and interesting musically, but the downbeat nature of the song is just disturbing to be of much interest as it takes away any connection with the song.
No Fear Of Drowning follows beginning with deep synths and a keyboard was along with a strong bass line. This is possibly the best track of the album as whilst still dark in tone it has something about it, somehow it is preferable to what proceeds it.
The albums final track is Bombs In My Head, Unlike the previous track here there is just more deeply depressing bleakness and even death, there is little to commend this all it is very sad and deeply unsettling in tone and with an almost militaristic drumbeat throughout, very unsettling and not an easy listen at all.
I found this album very difficult to say much positive about it all really. I suspect I am not the target audience for this one and that my review is possibly not fair on the band’s efforts here, I do think that deeply goth or hard-core metal fans may possibly find more to appreciate here than I did. Personally I really did not like it despite it having quite powerful musical parts on display.
One positive thing is the artwork for the album is very impressive in a bleak Orwellian manner showing as it does an interlocking grid of iron girders which are showing imprisoned hands, it really sums up the music, ɓleak, oppressive and held captive to dark unsettling and unmentionable thoughts.
Info here: www.bakelitband.se
Author John Wenlock-Smith