DEAD SOUL TRIBE: The Dead Word

Cover	Release	Style
	2005-11-14	contemplative, progressive metal
	Label
	InsideOut Music/SPV
	Website
	www.deadsoultribe.com
	Contact
	-
	Playing Time	Cat. N°
	46’59’’	IOMCD 232 / SPV 48672 CD
	Review by	Rating
	Vera	9/10
nederlands	Review
Since the maestro artist of the contemplative progressivism turned his back on Psychotic Waltz, a time of reflection brought him to the decision to canalise his inspiration in future under the moniker Deadsoul Tribe. The three previous albums Devon Graves recorded all by himself in his studio in Vienna; when he plays live – like the former tour with Threshold - he is accompanied by Austrian musicians such as bass player Roland Ivenz, rhythm guitarist Rollz Kerschbaumer and percussionist Adel Moustafa. This last one has a bigger role than ever on this in the meantime fourth album under the name Deadsoul Tribe. At first sight ‘The Dead Word’ is a very dark album. Titles and artwork, a gruesome “naked” creation of Travis Smith, make a spiritual residence in an underworld of doubts and worries presumable. If you know Devon as human being and as musician, you know that such a deep-draught darkness is not possible without a scintilla of hope. The power resides in the rising above your own worldly suffering. This time Devon found inspiration in the stories of ‘Anastasia’ from the Russian author Wladimir Megre. The tough and almost hostile environments of Siberia are transformed into modern soundscapes. Just like in former albums, Devon combines this considering thoughts with outbursts of frustration and passion, uttering themselves in more heavy fragments. A constant factor in his music is the pent-up suspense, a sense that the magma in his sub-consciousness will be impossible to stop at a certain point and will come to the surface in an explosive way in the most rigorous moments. All this is brought together in compositions with many changes of mood. Sometimes the name of Tool is mentioned when talking about Deadsoul Tribe. The opener ‘Prelude: Time And Pressure’ displays the majority of Tool resemblances, especially those bass runs. The quiescent ‘Some Sane Advice’ is sung in a serene way and adds some background vocals. Next are the fast and furious riffs of ‘Let The Hammer Fall’ that rule, guided by an infectious melody. Personal favourites are this time the conjuring ‘Waiting In Line’ which builds a bridge via the contemplative ‘Someday’ to the marvellous ‘My Dying Wish’. But this album is brimming with euphonious arrangements, searching bass patterns and creations of an artist who puts his heart in every single score he writes. Instant purchase is the message!
Musicians
Devon Graves: vocals, guitars, keyboards, flute Adel Moustafa: drums
Tracklist
Prelude: Time And Pressure (1’40’’) A Flight On An Angels Wing (4’31’’) To My Beloved (5’56’’) Don’t You Ever Hurt? (4’56’’) Some Sane Advice (3’57’’) Let The Hammer Fall (4’03’’) Waiting In Line (6’34’’) Someday (1’34’’) My Dying Wish (4’01’’) A Fistful Of Bended Nails (5’25’’) The Long Ride Home (4’20’’)


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