Anima Morte - The Nightmare Becomes Reality (2011)

Swedish act ANIMA MORTE have been around as recording artists since 2007, the quartet consisting of Fredrik, Stefan, Teddy and Daniel with one full length production and a single to their name in addition contributions to a handful or so of concept albums of the various artists variety. "The Nightmare Becomes Reality" is their second full length CD, and was released by Swedish label Transubstans Records in the spring of 2011.

The main inspirations for this Swedish quartet appears to be horror movies and Italian symphonic rock, with a band name like Goblin mentioned rather often in articles I've read about this outfit. Their album and song titles documents their love of movies of the creepier kind quite nicely, and while the music can't be described as terrifying in any manner whatsoever they do explore a part of the art rock universe that isn't exactly dominated by light and joyful scenery.

In terms of style I'd guess that Camel is the closest comparison I can make from personal experience, as dreamladen atmospheres is a characteristic trait shared by both. Drawn out, warm and pleasant guitar soloing flanked by at times vast arrays of tangents and knobs is very much what we're treated to. Fans of vintage instruments will have a swell time catching organ, Mellotron and various kinds of vintage keyboard and synth instruments in action. Swirling textures and fluctuating layers aplenty, with dampened wandering guitar motifs and steady controlled rhythms underscoring quite nicely. Jazz-inspired bass and drum motifs is another detail Anima Morte share with aforementioned Camel, albeit not as commonly nor extensively explored by the former as by the latter.

Where these two bands separate is in the overall mood however. While Camel excels in atmospheres either joyful or dreamy melancholic, Anima Morte thrives when they can conjure themes of a more shadowy nature. Never dramatic nor threatening, but gloomy, slightly brooding and a dampened ominous feeling traits that is a common denominator throughout. And with an ever so slightly orientation in the direction of vintage space rock as additional flavouring.

I see that Anima Morte is a band that comes recommended to fans of the darker edged Italian symphonic art rock scene. And while those may make up the core audience of this act, I'd say that those with a general interest for 70's symphonic progressive rock should spend a few minutes to check out whether or not this is a band to their liking. In particular if you really enjoy vintage tangents of all sorts and you prefer your art rock to be instrumental.

My rating: 80/100


Track list:
1. Voices From Beyond - 0:31
2. Corridor of Blood - 6:06
3. The Revenant - 3:33
4. Contamination - 3:35
5. Passage of Darkness - 4:21
6. Solemn Graves - 3:55
7. Delirious - 3:31
8. Feast of Feralia - 4:43
9. The Nightmare Becomes Reality - 3:23
10. Things to Come - 8:10
11. The Dead Will Walk the Earth - 5:45