Search - Ephel Duath :: Painter's Palette

Jazz metal? No, jazz AND metal.

Nicholas Adam Chupka | Derwood, MD | 11/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If Miles Davis recorded a metal album, would it sound like this?



True, a bad question since there is absolutely no way to answer it, but I'd still throw in all my chips for yes if I had to make a choice.



Presenting a ceaseless progression of jazz only, metal only, and jazz metal fusion moments, Ephel Duath makes a case for the most technically complex and weird metal album of all time.



The songs are as eclectic and limitless as the oddest Primus recordings, and unlike many jazz influenced metal albums, Painter's Palette showcases purely jazz moments almost as often as it does the jazz metal fusion sections. The ability for the band to pull this off seemlessly provides evidence for what blows my mind the most about this album: its intent.



Despite the nearly constant morphing, Painter's Palette never comes off as self-absorbed or gaudy. Instead the aggressively rapid bipolar mood seems the perfect manifestation of what this band set out to do. Listening carefully, one can tell the drums have a lot to do with this. Maintaining a steady position within the jazz style, the drums leave the guitar, bass, and vocals to do most of the experimenting. Overall, I consider this to be a great asset as the drums provide a solid foundation which gives the album enough focus and consistency to prevent the entire project from seeming too spastic and disjointed.



Even within the context of jazz, though, Ephel Duath is not content abiding by the rules. Uncharaceristic of technically progressive jazz and metal, Painter's Palette contains many instances of melody, and variations from the core elements, including futuristic electronica flourishes and recurring saxophone jamming which most often adds an element of confident coolness.



Considering the evolution of Rephormula to this release, I cannot wait for what Ephel Duath has in store for us when it releases its new album, Pain Necessary to Know, on December 13th. The authentically mindboggling musical ability and fluidity on this album is a clear indication that the new album will be sneaking its way onto a lot of metal fans' top of 2005 lists right before the finish line.



"

Groundbreaking, technical, unpredictable, amazing.

meh | 08/11/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bands like Tool have had trained jazz musicians in their band. Cynic even had a significant jazz influence on their music. But no band has blended jazz and metal to the extent that Ephel Duath does on The Painter's Palette. But jazz is not the only influence contained on here, as they prove their influences are not just based in jazz and metal, but also progressive and avant-garde music as well.



After Phormula was released and his partner decided to quit music altogether, guitarist/songwriter/mastermind Davide Tiso decided he wanted Ephel Duath to become an actual band instead of just the two man project it was before that. So he found two vocalists, a bassist and a drummer. The catch is that of the four new recruits, only one (metal/screamcore/whatever you want to call it vocalist Luciano Lorusso) had previous experience in metal. The other three are a 50-year old highly-trained jazz drummer, a jazz bassist and a rock vocalist.



The music here is as unique and wonderful as you can imagine given a lineup like that. At first it sounds as though it is a chaotic mess of some hybrid of The Dillinger Escape Plan, jazz fusion, Opeth and about 50 other bands. But after awhile, when you begin to comprehend Davide Tiso's songwriting style it becomes apparent that the tempo and style shifts are not as drastic or random as they would at first seem. There are extremely logical progressions and moods to the songs. Not only that but the songs range from entrancing mental voyages to hugely epic climaxes to full out energetic ear-slaughterfests. The hallucinogenic atmosphere of "The Unpoetic Circle" and repetition of a single note on the bass until it makes you want to rip your face off on "Ironical Communion" are just two of the around fifty or so high points of the album.



Throughout the album Davide Tiso also proves himself adept at handling all of the tools a 21st century music studio gives to you - the sound quality is flawless, he handles multiple guitar tracks like a true master, and there are tastefully used electronic effects throughout the album that only serve to enhance the music in wonderful ways as he proves himself more than competent at creating a tense soundscape a few times on the album



In conclusion, Ephel Duath are truly groundbreakers in the progressive, metal or whatever you want to call it music scene. There are no bands around that bear more than a passing similarity to them, and they manage to do this while still maintaining a fair share of cohesion, melody and musical complexity (the amount of talent on this album is mind boggling). I would recommend this album highly to anyone who likes "left field" or original music."

Ephel Who??? This is Amazing. (Really 4.75 Stars)

Sunshine the Werewolf | Canada | 11/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"EPHEL DUATH - Painter's Palette

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Ephel Duath is the bastard child of Jazz, Hardcore and Metal. Fused into a truly unique sound...

Within the first 2 minutes of the first track, Passage I was sold. Musically these guys are ridiculously talented... Vocals very from an odd yet, appealing singing to Refused-like hardcore screaming. By the time Passage is over you are impressed, confused, and anticipating the next track... Unpoetic Circle is the 2nd song and starts with a crunchy guitar and amazing drum beat and some vicious vocals.... Then fades in and out between beauty and chaos. Labyrinthine visits the territory of funk and the breakdown in the song sounds like Flea from the Chili Peppers gone *mad*. Praha is a mix between what you hear at a jazz bar if a circus was located next store... Just Insane Instru-Metal. I could continue listing each track but if your not intrigued enough by this point to download or buy the CD it's your loss. Simply put this is and amazing, unique, aural experience...

Best Songs: Passage, Ruins, and Unpoetic Circle.

-4.75 Stars (Damn near perfect...)

(New Album Pain Necessary to Know comes out in December!!!)

"