MEKONG DELTA — In a Mirror Darkly (review)

MEKONG DELTA — In a Mirror Darkly album cover Album · 2014 · Technical Thrash Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
UMUR
"In a Mirror Darkly" is the 10th full-length studio album by German technical/progressive metal act Mekong Delta. The album was released through Steamhammer Records in April 2014. "In a Mirror Darkly" features the same lineup who recorded the band´s preceeding studio album "Intersections (2012)". It´s actually been a stable lineup since "Wanderer on the Edge of Time (2010)", which is not exactly business as usual for Mekong Delta.

The music style on "In a Mirror Darkly" is a technical type of progressive metal with strong thrash metal leanings. Mekong Delta are relatively distinct sounding but if I have to mention some references it would be artists like Psychotic Waltz and Fates Warning at their heaviest. Lead vocalist Martin LeMar (who at times has a pretty thick German accent) is more of a US power metal type singer though. Pretty powerful and raw sounding but also capable of singing more melodic clean vocals.

The material on the album are generally very well written and at times quite intriguing. Just from listening to the opening trio of tracks, the classical tinged acoustic nylon string guitar intro, the instrumental "Ouverture", and the heavy, thrashy, and aggressive "The Armageddon Machine", it is pretty clear that this is a varied and very cleverly composed release, but the whole album is full of great challenging tracks and high level musicianship. The sound production is also well sounding and suits the music perfectly.

So all in all another quality release by one of the veterans of the genre, who are still actively pushing boundaries and inspiring other aspiring artists in the process. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.
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adg211288 wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I'm not sure really. It wasn't so much the tone of his voice I disliked but there was something there that didn't click with me all the same.
UMUR wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Maybe the German accent? :-)
adg211288 wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Taking a listen now. The music itself is really good but there's something about the singer I'm finding off-putting most of the time, which is detracting from my enjoyment. It might grow on me some with a couple more spins though.
UMUR wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Yeah it´s actually a pretty great album.
adg211288 wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I've had a promo of this one for a little while that's just been sitting on the (digital) pile unlistened. Sounds like I need to put it in rotation though.

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