From the moment I was asked to review Alice Sweet Alice – “Viola Organista: The Macabre Carnival”, I knew that what I was about to listen to was special. How could it not be? The bands name is awesome! Alice Sweet Alice just elicits a myriad of fantastical thought patterns, and knowing that the release date for their album, “The Macabre Carnival”, is Halloween just makes this review all that more special! One of my favorite times of the year!
What I could have never expected though is just how freaking awesome this band and this album is! From the very first track, “Daredevil”, I knew that I was settling in to listen to one of the best Rock/Progressive Rock/Metal bands I’ve heard in a while. But they are so much more than just that!
When track #2, “Strange Things”, began playing, I was immersed in one of the coolest and spookiest songs I’ve ever listened to! A perfect Halloween song that has it all! Erie melodic keyboard phrasings, killer guitar work, bass and drums pounding, and absolutely amazing vocals! Liza Jean can belt it out with the best of them! She’s one of the best female vocalists in the business today, and she shows it on every song!
And let’s not forget the rest of this Kansas City band. Laying it down on the rhythm side of things is Scott Martinez on bass guitar (not to mention he is one helluva vocalist as well!) and Chris Poje on drums (Editor’s note: Bailey Maria Keiling performed the drum work on “Strange Things”), and they brilliantly bring it on every one of the 11 songs on “The Macabre Carnival”. I can’t get over how these two bring the thunder!
Next up is the blistering guitar playing of Shadron Dennis. He is a stellar guitarist! One listen to songs like “Masochist” and “Sucker” and you’ll hear what I mean. Rounding out the band, and one of the most important mentions here, is Felix Theo Waen. Enough cannot be said about this phenomenal musician and his contributions to this album! Piano, Violin, and vocals, and all sound amazing! The sounds he created on “The Macabre Carnival” are second to none! Check out the eloquence of his violin work on “Wednesday’s Child”. Superb!
I have listened to this album in its entirety three times, and I honestly cannot compare this band to any one band out there today. I wouldn’t dare dream of it, because this band is just so badass in every way! They have a sound that is all their own and I am really surprised that a band of this caliber hasn’t been signed yet to a major record label! Every one of the songs on this album are masterpieces and I can’t get enough of listening to them! I love “The Macabre Carnival” so much that I can’t even pick a favorite song! That’s how amazing it is, and how kick ass this band is!!!!!
The only thing you need to do this Halloween is purchase a copy of this CD! It will set the mood, the tone, and the atmosphere for the nights festivities! It’s time to celebrate with Alice Sweet Alice and my pick for best album of the year!!!!!
Alice Sweet Alice is humbled and honored by this review!
To check out the album, visit
http://www.alicesweetalice.com