When life is simple, pure and sweet
And the foolish youth can overlook
The wolf outside the door
Come hear a tale of Halloween
And one October not long past
Jim Nightshade and Will Halloway
Would never be quite so young anymore"
This is the 24 minute pinnacle of the amazing Redemption debut album. Based on Ray Bradbury's book of the same name and using several samples from the 1983 movie, the song oozes of a dark atmosphere, so strong that when I reach the 3-minute mark, I know there is no turning away. I have to hear the whole thing before I can think of something else. This song is completely engrossing.
The sound is very dynamic, with the bass adding a haunting dark tone to the song right away, the keyboard adding a base atmosphere and the sharp guitar riffs slicing through that fabric throughout the song. The piano is brilliantly utilized and brings an eerie atmosphere to several passages, most notably in the passage that begins at 3:13 and then again 16 minutes later around 19:40. I love that touch.
The different phases of the song build on each other and nearing the climax in "Part VIII: Departures", the intensity is electrifying. The instrumental work is impressive all through the song. Drums, bass, guitar, keyboard, you name, it all work together in a seamless tight way with stereo effects adding subtle but intense moments.
Lead singer Rick Mythiasin makes the song his own by delivering a vocal performance filled with invention and a ton of feeling, often reminding me of none other than John Arch, the former Fates Warning singer. Rick's voice radiates a very very special tone and he sings the exceptional vocal melodies with an enchanting charm. That is quite an achievement considering the actual lyrics that he has to deliver. The descriptive lyrics work as a short story and I like that since the music manages to harness this and build several images in my mind.
What Rick does in "Part VIII: Departures" is nothing less than magical, as he hits some insane high notes, while at the same time conjuring vocal melodies, that are so righteous and timeless, that I have held this part of the song as something of a Mythiasin epiphany ever since I first heard it, more than 10 years ago. I've always been a fan of his work in Steel Prophet, but this is his finest moment for me.
As you may have guessed, my favorite part of the song is "Part VIII: Departures" which begins around 16:30. The 2 minutes that follow deliver an intensity that makes my muscles twitch with excitement.
Overall, this song is an impressive creation.
Written By Steen
Online: Monday, July 22, 2013
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Something Wicked This Way Comes