I can’t lie, but there is rarely a moment when I’m not in the mood for something dark and evil to watch or listen to. For some of us life is a perpetual Halloween season. This is definitely the case with Calavera Calavera, the Madrid based Horror Dubstep-Moombahton-Grime-Electro-House outfit I’ve been loving since day one.
Every few months we get a special treat from Calavera Calavera as they drop a new horror themed album, adding to their collection of original macabre work. This time it’s witchcraft with the title being The Coven.
With the traditional superlative melancholically moody introduction, The Coven coerces the listener into darkness and takes them deep into a trance. The first three tracks gradually increase the listeners adrenaline with eerie sounds as the back drop to beautiful melodies, which makes it all the more eery. This is the staple of Calavera Calavera as I see it. They know how to make all sorts of noise, they can bang hard, but all the while there’s this soft gorgeous place amidst the carnage where their talent for melody writing is very apparent.
By the forth song (The Coven) the listener is in deep and the beats start dropping heavier. Then the fifth song (Moon) goes its own direction into Progressive House territory. The melodies involved are reminiscent of the much softer Tangerine Dream, then it gets very creative rhythmically leading up to some spooky chanting before the Progressive House returns full swing. In itself, Moon encompasses the vibe of the entire album.
Song six (The Curse) begins epically and drastically drops into dirty Dubstep and Trap territory – reminding us that we are in 2014. Cleverly and perfectly Calavera Calavera brings back the powerful melody between Dustep drops.
From here on out the listener knows what they’re in for, Calavera Calavera has set up their sound and their intricate ways of blending ideas together. With each following song there is a unique and powerful melodic core designed to impress and move the listener. But still the beats keep coming just when you’re feeling a bit too entranced.
Here it is, another brilliant album by Calavera Calavera. I know I am going to listen to it repeatedly throughout my day and again before I fall asleep tonight. This is very powerful stuff as it rivals their past albums. If one is already a die hard Calavera Calavera fan, they won’t be let down. The Coven will work out nicely for them as they add it to their collection.
I fear stating that it is my favorite Calavera Calavera album to date because I greatly love their other work but it might be given time. I need to listen to it more. But it definitely is a contender for the best.
Where the sun shines the most you will find the darkest minds. Calavera Calavera in sunny Madrid, and I, here in the south western desert of the United States.