SYMPHONIC HOLOCAUST

4.5 stars. ANEKDOTEN are one of my all-time favourite bands, and listening to this record is almost like listening to an ANEKDOTEN album without the vocals. ANEKDOTEN's lead guitarist and drummer are here (Nicklas Barker and Peter Nordins). While LANDBERK's lead guitarist and bass player round out the band (Reine Fiske and Stefan Dimle). They all play mellotron on this album ! Interesting that the band member i'm least familiar with Stefan Dimle is the one who chose the songs they covered on here, as well as arranging the music. Of the six songs they covered five are from Horror movies and one is from a Porn movie.

"Apoteosi Del Mistero" is from the film "City Of The Living Dead". This is one of my favourite three songs on here. Waves of mellotron right off the top as a full sound comes in before a minute. I should note a second mellotron comes in when the full sound arrives. Amazing. This contrast continues. Check out the guitar and drumming 3 minutes in as the mellotron storm continues. Nice. "Threats Of Stark Reality" was written by the band and is an intro for the following song.This one is dark, creepy and experimental. No melody. "Sequenza Ritmica E Tema" is from the film "The Beyond". Drums, guitar and bass hit us hard on this one as mellotron rolls in. It settles then kicks in again as contrast continues. "Lullaby" is from the film "Rosemary's Baby". A mysterious bass line is joined by drums. This is a haunting soundscape to say the least. Female vocal melodies come in, but it's still a laid back sound. Mellotron and keys join in as well.

"Quiet Drops" is from the film "Beyond The Darkness" and was done originally by GOBLIN. This is another top three for me. Gentle guitar is joined by a second guitar that sounds like rain drops falling. Mellotron and drums come in as sound gets fuller. "Opening Theme" is my least favourite. It's from the film "Cannibal Holocaust". Fortunately it's the shortest as well. Lots of mellotron anyway. "The Photosession" is from the film "Golden Girls", no not the TV program. Waves can be heard rolling in as a guitar line joins in. Drums follow in this mellow track. Waves end the song. "Symphonic Holocaust" is the almost 18 minute title track. This is my other top three tune. Pulsating mellotron sounds as gentle guitar comes in at 1 1/2 minutes. It's almost like Post-Rock at this point. Bass comes in and is really prominant. An outburst of sound after 3 minutes and later 4 minutes in. It really explodes at 4 1/2 minutes. Check out the bass before 7 1/2 minutes! The guitar starts to make some noise 11 minutes in as the bass continues to impress. It's building as mellotron waves and deep bass continue. Fantastic song.

I'd love for these guys to get together and make a full album of their own material. This is so close to 5 stars for me but "Opening Theme" is just too annoying. Great album regardless.