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Band: Molllust
Album title: Bach Con Fuoco [EP]
Release date: 17 March 2013
Label: Self/Released
Tracklisting:
01. Präludium
02. Blute nur, du liebes Herz
03. Aus Liebe will mein Heiland sterben
04. Ave
I believe that many of you who have some sort of passion for opera and classical influenced metal already know German band Molllust. The band released its debut album entitled Should in September last year (I reviewed it HERE) and got a lot of positive responses from media. With their musical output they got themselves quite a burden on their back, mostly because their music is pure aesthetics, secondly - their music demands very skilled musicianship, thirdly - although it's opera metal, it's not the kind of commercial thing as we are used from bands that label themselves as such and finally, they risk to not appeal to anyone - to fans of metal music, because it's too classical or opera oriented and to people into classical music, because it's too heavy. Fortunately there are people who appreciate talented musicians and perfectionists in this job. Yes, we can say that Molllust, with Janika Groß to head the band, are perfectionists.
Their second studio output is this EP in question, it doesn't differ that much from album Schuld, though here is much more typical classical or better said baroque oriented music than opera. Four songs on Bach Con Fuoco (engl.: Bach with fire) are like the title suggests, remakes of J.S. Bachs compositions and a great homage to his timeless music. Ok, we all know that Bach already has a status of beign "the most metal of all composers" and that the whole army of groups have been influenced by his music, but not so many did something like Molllust.
The band doesn't change that much the original compositions, but adds their own note and atmosphere with use of typical metal instrumentation as a basis. The main role goes to piano, violins and cello. Everything is played with perfection and precision, there is no arguing about that. Janika's voice is also one of the most skilled voices regarding all female operatic vocals in metal music, her soprano is breathtaking. Sometimes the band goes completely acoustic, but there are also parts where they try to be a bit more extreme, like in "Aus Liebe will mein Heiland sterben" with use of harsher male vocals. Unfortunately there's the point where the charm is lost, it works out somehow silly and somehow I can't get along with Franks singing style or colour of his voice, and that's a complaint that I've had also when reviewing their debut album.
Otherwise, everything else is as pleasant as it could be and when it's time for otherworldly timeless composition "Ave", a remake of Bachs "Ave Maria", there are no words to explain how great it is. Production must be great, or every strain could be lost and is once again done by Andy Schmidt at Echolux studio. It's also difficult to imagine that this is completely self-released. So, if you like top notch executed classical compositions with metal edge then don't wait a second to get this twenty minutes long piece of music.
Review written by: T.V.
Rating: 8/10
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