Australians Anubis have released a concept album of high quality. If given a chance, it could be in many peoples collection.
It is a concept album based around the sad death of a boy who goes on a journey to search for himself. The history of his life is played out before him and he sees another way he could have travelled, an "Operation Mindcrime" type scenario with an evil doctor that is abusing him and makes him a junkie. The story ends with his death.
Musically, it is sometimes charming and sometimes deliberately ugly. It is a strength that each chapter of story strikes the listener hard. If it's your taste, you'll find it memorable. The voice is the inner monologue of a young boy. It is also by turns melancholy and angry, conveyed by the excellent voice of lead singer Robert James Moulding as he plays the role successfully. The real beauty of this album lies in the last two songs, the 12 minute 'The Collapse' and the almost 20 minute 'Disinfected and Abused'. This song is, in itself, a great achievement and demonstrates the good harmonies, progressive rhythms and melodies that truly turn the soul and, on occasion, scratch at the face.
This is a masterpiece and it makes a very good album into an excellent album. If this is the benchmark they set, then the future looks very exciting for Anubis.
Rating: 4.5/5
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