NOSFERATU

Rough first week, huh? Well, hey, in these negative circumstances, how about I channel said negativity for a benefit, rather than a curse.

So, in terms of rock in opposition music, there are plenty of bands out there that are quite the enjoyable treat. From the jazzy Henry Cow, to the chamber infused Univers Zero, RIO has given us a lot of interesting bands and ideas to shape the avant-prog scene. One such band is Art Zoyd. They have a similar chamber style to that of Univers Zero, but I'd say they are considerably less rocking and more chamber when it comes to their musical stylings, which does quite make them a very unique band to listen to. Though, personally I will say that they're one of my more least desired bands to listen to. Whenever I get an itch, they do deliver somewhat, but some of their albums I just do not really like, at all. I do like some of their albums like Phase IV and Le mariage du ciel et de l'enfar, but other times they makes albums like Eyecatcher and Les champ des lames that just make me think?what? I am probably in the minority here, but I don't really get some of their stuff after Häxan. Heck, sometimes I don't get their stuff during what some may call their golden age during the 80s, as Nosferatu does fall in the camp of a pretty mediocre album for me.

Now, this album isn't a complete dud. I have something to praise for this album, namely four particularly tracks: L'agent Reinfeld, Le maître arrive, Rumeurs III, and Sleep No More. They're probably the best, and only real tracks I like here due to them feeling like they actually fully represent the whole of Nosferatu pretty well. A very avant-garde stillness that is both very haunting, as well as being quite enjoyable. They're not my favorite Art Zoyd tracks, but I feel like they hit a right mood for me sometimes. If anything Rumeurs III kinda makes me wish they made more Zeuhl-like music.

However, sad to say, but that is really the only enjoyment I have for this album, as the rest of it just feels like a confusing mess of ideas that just never work well for me. I feel as though they just don't really get Nosferatu as a concept, because the music that is meant to be scary just comes off as unnecessarily corny, or extremely dull.

Some of the more abrasive stuff makes me think they're trying to make weird clown music for no reason, especially with the keyboard tones that I am just not really a big fan of. It sometimes just feels like they're hyperbolically trying to be scary, and it just ends up being goofy. They're like making jumpscares in music form, and it just makes them look embarrassing.

The more quieter moments here are also bad to me but for the opposite reason. They try to be overly pretty or sinister, but they just never really land on that mark because they play too quietly for me too really notice and get a grasp on the music at hand. Like, on Anaphase I and II, both songs that just has no reason to be that quiet.

The worst part is that this could honestly work as a soundtrack in a way for the Nosferatu film, but only because it's a silent film, but even then the music is still either too abrasive or too quiet for me really, well, enjoy it. In fact, I bet it may make the movie worse off. Music can enhance any medium, whether it be books, movies, tv shows, etcetra, but sometimes the music just doesn't go well within a current situation and understanding, and I feel like Nosferatu by Art Zoyd is like that. Its mood music, but in a fashion that is far too within its own gimmicks that it ends up being one of the least favorable pieces of music from a band that I do think people should at least try out.

I don't like making negative reviews, but since I reviewed two other quite well known albums themed around Nosferatu, I figured to review this one as well. This is an Art Zoyd album I suggest you should skip, and if you want something that is both moody and can work far better as a soundtrack to a silent movie, their 1995 album of Faust is way better and more stylistically pleasing I'd say. Sad to say, but this album is quite disappointing.

Best tracks: L'agent Reinfeld, Le maître arrive, Rumeurs III, Sleep No More

Worst tracks: Anaphase, Anaphase II