DANCES OF DEATH (AND OTHER WALKING SHADOWS)

Mekong Delta OMG yeah I was pretty shocked first time I listened to this album. I was in high school and it was my first approach with this band. I didn't understand this music back then. I mean I listened to Voivod but to their least complex albums (War And Pain, Angel Rat). Later of course I discovered their techno-thrash released and loved it. But with Mekong Delta it wasn't so keen. Mekong Delta is German band but they have never sounded like Kreator or ever more progressive Vendetta. Mekong Delta took a lot from prog rock bands of 70's like Yes and Emerson Lake and Plamer. So this album starts with 19 minutes long suite called Dances Of Death. The structure is very similar to ELP's Tarkus and we can find even same progressions here. But the music isn't filled with keyboard passages. There are no keys on this album at all. Instead of that we have thrashy guitar riffs played very fast. True virtuosity. Vocals rather 'demonic' high pitched but intriguing. Music bizarre and complex. Yes. Mekong Delta. Beyond The Gates and Days Of Betrayal two main parts of epic title suite are based on the same motive which is driving force of Dances. The whole stuff doesn't bore me at all. I listen to it and enjoy every minute. Side B of this album includes 3 separate songs. Mussorgksi's Night On A Bare Mountain in Mekong Delta's adaptation is one of the weirdest tracks I've ever heard in my life. I can enjoy it from time to time. I have to be in mood for that kind of stuff. Anyway Dances Of Death is my favorite Mekong Delta album. In its genere is excellent.