PHANTASMAGLORIA

That Is to Say Possibly

I know, I know. What the heck is this reviewer trying to say?

He's trying to say that KARMIC JUGGERNAUT- New Jersey-based sextet plus two- make it AWFULLY hard to pigeonhole this epic, frenetic, intense, deep, breath-taking manic music to be found on their latest release "Phantasmagloria".

And it's superb.

But Junior, What Are They Trying to Say?

Well, Boomer, let's start at the beginning. They're not serious, but they're bloody serious. The music is an incredibly complex stew of themes and sections and riffs and counterpoints, with an actual functioning multi-member band working in full stride, complementing, challenging, wailing, crashing, and disturbing the peace.

There's a menacing but light-hearted 'radio announcement' from a fictional public radio station, and baby, some VERY bad news to be shared.

Then There Was Humor

But see, Boomer? Humor that is laced with strychnine because, well, in spite of bland assurances from Powers That BE, things AREN'T going to well. Bleak. Dark. Probably fatal or something like it.

And the Flat Earthlings, with beans in their ears, a glaze in their eyes, steadfastly resist seeing things from another angle because dammit, don't confuse us with the facts.

Demonstrated and underscored by absolutely wicked dual guitar lines, a thunderous bass and drums unit and ever- inventive vocal lines and groupings. Seriously.

Now Sun

And hell's bells because all this blazing, blitzing, musical monstrosity envelops, underscores, illustrates, and bedazzles with pithy, suggestive, wise lyrics- the lines that float and fret and taunt within "Sun Puzzle" could be the perfect exemplar.

That is to say BOOMER, that one could if one chose find considerable nourishment within the frames of this album, which by the way sardonically pays homage to shadows (!).

But these are no ordinary shadows, indeed!

PSYCHO

Err, Boomer, "Psaiko"- that curiously restrained but pummeling percussive piece- with gongs- builds, adds siren, then slowly fades.

Leading to one of my favorite tracks, "Dream Machine", although wait, don't hold me to it because, that is to say, well, maybe there are three or eight more I think are terrific.

But Dream Machine! That percussive open, the repeating bass line and spacey guitar echoing, gutsy drumming, truly energetic guitar/bass/keyboard lines. Subsiding. Adventurous. Stellar vocals sometimes close, sometimes from afar. Frenetic drumming and mind-bending complexity.

I say it again, listen, play, repeat. There's a lot to absorb.

I Could Go On

But really what could be said that hasn't been? This is a remarkable, sizzling, crackling tour de force that begs to be heard and to be heard and to be heard again.

The title track itself, and the title of the title track- which suggests idolatry of utter nonsense and nothing- slaps one around, and as I earlier suggested, One Could I Suppose...

...Go on and on but really what's the point?

Here's the Point

If you, like me, find great succor in the finest art, I think you could scarcely do better than to dine on this scorching musical blend.

Passion. Wit. Depth. Terror. Laughter. Rage. Love and Light. Menace.

It's all here.

Conclusion

KARMIC JUGGERNAUT has crafted an outstanding release in "Phantasmagloria". My rating: a STRONG 4 stars- an excellent addition to any progressive rock collection.