DARK MATTER

I was actually introduced to IQ by my dad in 2002, who had collected a whole lot of IQ's and let me listen to albums such as "Subterrannea" and "The Seventh House". From 2003 on, I saw several IQ gigs here in Holland, and as it happens I was at the first "Dark Mattour" gig, where this album was released. Already being a big fan of IQ, and Peter Nicholls' voice and lyrics, I bought this album as soon as I saw it, and I've never stopped enjoying it.

The album starts of very ambient with Sacred Sound, a dark introduction that works perfect on stage (as well as being a bit longer live), and then it goes over into some smart and catchy tunes with cymbals by Cookie, Martin's keys, and John's complex fretless bass. Peter Nicholl's voice sounds very clear, though somewhat apathetic, but it fits the whole concept of the album well. The song goes over into a dark ambient section towards the end, followed by a beautiful Mike Holmes guitar solo that rides on the waves of Jowitt and Cookie.

Red Dust Show is a softer song about a boy in bed, seeing shadows on the walls, frightening him. The keys are beautiful and soft, and Peter's voice sounds more emotional and mellow than on the previous track. He almost sounds sad, even...though very soothing and beautiful. Truth to be told, the rougher parts of the song didn't sound as enjoyable to me as other parts of the album, but hey, you can't like everything.

Anyway, it immediate goes over into You Never Will, starting with a creepy clock-like sound and even creepier basslines. In fact, the whole song has the same kind of "spider's web in the dark cold cave" kind of feeling. Especially Martin's keys and Peter's theatrical vocals near the end is an enjoyable experience, even more so when seen live, which should be possible on the upcoming "Dark Mattour" DVD.

Born Brilliant is the next song, and, well, it evokes one word in my mind. "Self pity", something I'm no stranger to. Maybe that's why this is my favorite song on the album. It sounds very very evil, in an intelligent and clever way. Nicholls basically explains that he is a bastard and liar, and shouldn't be trusted, but at least he is honest about it. "Unlike mine, your family line were all born brilliant liars." *le sigh* Got to love this song. Especially the catchy guitar/bass/drum rhythm is very addictive for me.

The album ends with Harvest of Souls, a 25 minute epic consisting of six different parts. I'll discuss the individual parts, to keep it simple. Part 1 is a sad light guitar/keys tune with Nicholls' sad and regretful lyrics of someone he lost. For personal reasons, this is a part that touches me greatly, and helped me through a rough patch.

Part 2 is a bit of a sarcastic "We all love America, it's the greatest!" tune that ends with military drumwork, which I don't really enjoy, but then goes over in a rough dark part, which I do love to bits. The double vocals sound quite haunting.

Then it gives room for Part 3, which is another sad piece with beautiful guitars and piano. This part is another one that touches me personally. It's less sad than part 1, as it contains the acceptance of one's sad and lonely fate. *le sigh* Poetic. Thank you, Peter.

Anyway, Part 4 starts after some heavy gunfire, with catchy piano and guitars. It gives off a whole positive air, even though the world's dark and covered in smoke, and everything we know will change. I like this change in the album, as it remains dark, but in a postive, almost relieved way.

Part 5 is an aggressive piece, with an aggressive Nicholls on vocals, along with the mean riffs by Holmes and Jowitt. Later on, it mimicks the previous Born Brilliant rhythm again, accompanied by haunting vocoded vocals by Nicholls, giving an extra creepy feeling to this part. Later on, it combines Harvest of Souls Part 1 with Born Brilliant, giving a really great sound. Then the album ends with Part 6, repeating part of Part 2 (sadly). It's a soft epic end to the album, like looking at a sunset over the ocean. Calm, but it works.

*le sigh* Beautiful album. Recommended if you're a fan of IQ, neoprog, or dark atmospheric and melodic lyrics. And on a sidenote, I hope I did well writing my first review.

Yours, Tailscent

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