Sleep of Monsters: II: Poison Garden

It's always an interesting experience to get given a review for an act on Svart Records. One never really knows what will be assaulting one's ears next such is the varied and eclectic nature of their roster. Sleep of Monsters continue the fun. I was very much unaware of the band before getting the download of II: Poison Garden. Kindly the press release helps us out, "Recorded in an old hilltop villa in Álora, Spain, Sleep of Monsters II : Poison Garden, the long-awaited sophomore album of this unique Finnish band, sees the band venture into even richer, more dramatic and hauntingly beautiful soundscapes, complete with strings and horns… and hooves. Think of Lee Hazlewood getting drunk with the Abba girls in a Metal bar, slurring some of the most spine-chilling, (mostly) true tales of human tragedy and the occult ever heard in rock'n'roll, and you'll arrive at the moss-covered gates of Poison Garden."

Sounds intriguing does it not? And indeed it is, whether it's Jim Steinman meeting Sisters of Mercy (yes, I am aware that this actually happened) on "Beyond the Fields we Know" or the Morrisey-does-proper-rock-music of "Babes in the Abyss" there is much to enjoy here. The cinematic "Babes In The Abyss" has majesty to spare as does the imperious "Golden Bough" and it is easy to see the Lee Hazelwood comparisons such are the pop sensibilities throughout this gothic yet relaxed record.

Track Listing:

1. Poison King
2. Golden Bough
3. The Art Of Passau
4. Babes In The Abyss
5. Beyond The Fields we Know
6. The Devil And All His Works
7. Our Dark Mother
8. Babes In The AbyssLand Of Nod

Added: June 8th 2016
Reviewer: Simon Bray
Score:
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 2092
Language: english

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