ESYLLT

The debut release of heavy, Gothic Celtic-oriented music from this French ensemble from Brétagne.

1. "Little Butterfly" (4:19) indescribably, deliciously seductive. Almost from the opening notes I am completely under their spell: both Dam Kat's voice and diction as well as the deeply-engaging music. What an opener! (10/10)

2. "King Arthur's Death" (7:37) both PORTISHEAD and RADIOHEAD come to mind with the opening of this song, but the power chords of the chorus and instrumental sections and smoldering hot electric guitar work on Pat O'May's solo belie a different, deeper element that cannot be compared with anyone that I can think of! (14/15)

3. "My Son" (6:05) with this song my comparisons of the dangerous, Siren-like singing talents of Ms. Millot are growing closer to those of Elizabeth Heaton (which is about as high praise as I can muster from the group of artists this 21st Century has to offer). A piano-founded song with more sultry-seductive vocals and fiery guitar pyrotechnics. The music, however, is a little too blues-rooted for my preferences. I love the injection of Uilleann pipes. Too bad it was saved only for the end. (8.875/10)

4. "The Battle" (7:44) the music here is a little more unpolished with several sound choices that seem to reach back to the 1980s and some questionable compositional and sound engineering choices. At times it feels as if Dam Kat's vocal track is getting buried by the levels and thickness of instruments. I find myself excited by the transition after Kat's "O happy" lyric to a fast-paced "Heavy Celtic Rock" motif--where the Uilleann pipes get a chance to shine again. Unfortunately, the section (including the vocal) play out as if something from a beginning garage band who've only learned a few simple early Black Sabbath chords.(13/15)

5. "Esyllt" (5:50) tender and ominous singing accompanied by piano play that sounds as if it comes from a dated computer-generated piano. When bass, drums, rhythm guitar chords, and harp join in at the end of the second minute things improve. I love the mix and presence of the harp. The music starts to ramp up, get heavier, while Kat's singing seems to sink its teeth into one's neck with increasing courage and conviction. Has the bite from a vampiress ever felt so welcome?! Incredible vocal performance! (8.875/10)

6. "Silent Agony" (6:02) another opening that reminds me of PORTISHEAD, the presence of harp from the very start is even more welcome and suggestive than on the previous song. On this song Kat's voice seems to lilt and flutter around the room like a butterfly. Or a bat. She is so talented! The music is rather simple rock but offering a nice palette of instrumental sound choices, which helps. Then you get another pretty nice guitar solo from Pat O'May to smooth things over in the third and fourth minutes. (8.875/10)

7. "Don't Forget Me" (6:58) though this song starts out rather unremarkably at the end of the third minute the band moves into a very cool, completely different and nuance-loaded motif--one that puts on display the more creative talents of the band's musicians. Kat begins singing again in the sixth minute in a rather conspiratorial kind of voice that reminds me of some of Rickie Lee Jones' early tender vocals. It ends up being one of the album's stronger songs. (13.75/15)

8. "I'm Not Scared" (5:08) Uilleann pipes and low organ chord notes introduce this palette just before Kat enters singing in what is almost an a cappella stage musical style. Early Robin Guthrie guitar chords begin keeping time while Kat switches to her upper registers. Metal power chords enter with drums and active deep bass while Kat oscillates from airy upper voice to lower sultry. Another pretty unique yet engaging song. (8.875/10)

9. "Look Around You" (7:26) the highlights of this rather sedate almost-Americana-like song are 1) the parts where Kat provides her own angelic, k.d. lang-like harmony background vocals, 2) Pat's Steve Vai-like guitar solo in the fifth minute, and 3) Kat's clear investment in her vocal's delivery of the song's message in the sixth minute. Enchanting. (13.375/15)

10. "I'm Alive" (7:06) Unfortunately, there is nothing very special, inventive, or engrossing about this song (except for maybe the dreamy keyboard work). Even Kat's vocal fails to engage or hook me (and I can't really figure out why). Nice bass-and-drum rhythm pattern created in the fifth minute. (13.25/15)

Total Time 64:15

A-/4.5 stars; a very intriguing and promising debut album--one whose emotional music is very difficult to categorize. Highly recommended for all you other progheads to judge for yourselves.

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