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9.0
- Bands:
ROPE SECT - Duration: 00:43:00
- Available from: 05/17/2024
- Label:
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Iron Bonehead Prod.
Streaming not yet available
A humble sense of defeat spreads instantly at the first notes of “Revel In Disguise”, and immediately the alienating magic of Rope Sect is among us, sucking up hope and causing the body to slowly wriggle in resigned amusement. That of someone who can now only enjoy single moments of pleasure, because something more concrete, serene and lasting is now impossible for him and the end, for him and everyone else, is near. We might as well, therefore, indulge in an impromptu, frivolous moment of distraction.
Among the many ways that the world of current rock and metal chooses to interpret contemporary times, that of characters like the Rope Sect or their colleagues of languid melancholy Grave Pleasures is among the least exploited, but most pungent. Something that fluctuates between disenchantment, sarcasm and surreal apocalypse, which in the actions and thoughts of the German band translates into a sound fabric that is as fragile and subtle as it is captivating and catchy without any effort.
The discography of this faceless entity/name/personal history of its musicians becomes more sensational with each release, because since the first EP “Personae Ingratae” Rope Sect have not missed half a note and have evolved while remaining firmly in their little slice of the world regardless of everything else.
As with the Grave Pleasures – this time, no appearance by Mat McNerney on the microphone – the context of reference is that of a mixture of post-punk, gothic rock and darkwave similar to that of entities with a more electronic and hypnotic edge, which populate sector festivals such as Wave-Gotik-Treffen. Except that the guitar system, the fast and pressing rhythms bring them closer to hard rock and heavy metal contexts, even if with “Estrangement” minimalism gains another field and, as the impetus weakens a little further, the music becomes paler and thin. Yet, what does not disappear and, on the contrary, amplifies, is the group's ability to write magnetic songs with just a few notes, catalyze attention with wonderful melodies and choruses to hum blissfully, despite the breath of death they emanate.
The first single “Revel In Disguise” knocks out any resistance in the blink of an eye: the first tolls of the drums are enough, the entry of the voice like an almost imperceptible breath of wind, the folk calls of the acoustic guitar in the background. The mind's gaze then widens to the vast desolate panoramas that the group calls us to admire, with a half-formed smile under the rope that hides their faces. The guitars take on the band's now unmistakable chapped and bittersweet tone, the distortion fades away, giving even more space to the intertwining of bass and drums and enchanting melodies.
Going in assonance with the contents of the “Proskynesis” collection, there is a certain hypnotic delicacy emanating from the individual tracks, divided within them into parentheses of sighing and unbreakable calm, and pressing, agile and drumming moments. One inseparable from the other, fueling a story that reaches moments of remarkable intimacy, even for those who have made a banner of this light, decadent and darkly mesmerizing dimension. There is a waste of songs to listen to over and over again ad nauseam, in a perfect and precarious balance between catchiness and discomfort. The dim brightness of some guitar choices goes beyond the confines of gothic rock and post-punk, giving a new angle to this “Estrangement” for Rope Sect.
Compared to “Personae Ingratae” and “The Great Flood” there is the pleasure of embroidering wide-ranging trends, lengthening and extending the plots towards unexplored horizons. You are quickly subjugated by the whirlwind of crystalline arpeggiations of “Nefelibatas”, by its apparently very sweet refrain; or we let ourselves be pierced, helpless, by “L'Appel Du Vide”, which travels dirty and fast towards that void recalled by the title, every word and note making the soul vibrate sinisterly.
In the presentation of the record company they talk about 'resignation button', to describe the dominant feeling in the album: apt terminology, because while you know exactly your own nefarious fate, you can't help but squirm and be influenced by the general liveliness of the instruments . Or be induced into a strange relaxation, as during the calm sigh of “Massenmensch”, which almost makes us forget the murky thematic universe of the formation.
Even for “Estrangement” there is an external contribution of a certain importance, and it is that of King Dude in the final “Rope Of The Mundane Love”: started by a magnetic bass line and full of dark omens, it sounds like an ideal crossroads between the music of the American artist and the style of the Germans, between gothic references, mystical aura and contemptuous rock'n'roll energy. A closing with an exclamation point for an album that is almost perfect from the first to the last note. Get tied up.
Daniel D`Amico for SANREMO.FM