Magdalena Solis – Hesperia

Magdalena Solis – Hesperia
http://magdalenasolis.bandcamp.com

Label – Dying for bad music

Goth, psychedelic

01 Wake up and start to dream
02 Seven Boys and Seven Girls
03 Cities Crumbling Planets Growing
04 Proserpina’s Gardens
05 Journey of the Sleeping Giant
06 Sisters of the Twilight Mansions

07 Crown your whores and burn your kings 

08 Klara has a vision 

09 Prophetic Dreams 

10 Lunar Sunrise

The first credit that should be given to Magdalena Solis is that the anachronistic term- ‘Goth’, which I had given them, comes as a good thing. ‘Hesperia’ might sound romantic and cavernous, like many other Gothic bands, yet this music manage to stay fresh and interesting, especially because of the generous dose of acid that was poured to the bittersweet dark sounds. The result is a hypnotic, sensual blend which stands somewhere between neo folk acts like Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio, Kama Sutra music and a slow, dark motion of the soundtrack of Vampyros Lesbos. As Magdalena Solis shifts between alluring female vocals and demanding male chanting, various sinister notions surface through the music, creating ten short stories.

After the excellent and intense “Seven boys and seven girls”, which combines meditative oriental guitar with heavy electronic sounds and voices, comes the apocalyptic “Cities crumbling, planets growing”. Through its hypnotic atmosphere which is manifested in endless loops, the mood is set to become a monstrous hybrid between what you think about Donnie Darko and Austin Powers. Yes, this unlikely combination, mysterious and vague, while tempting and pseudo exotic. The increasing number of movies I had mentioned in these two paragraphs suggests about the cinematic qualities of this album, which changes moods as the songs come and go, but stays dramatic without letting go.As each track ends, we find ourselves facing a decadent world on the verge of crumbling down. Is it Hesperia? Is it our world reflected through Magdalena Solis? Whatever the answer may be, Magdalena Solis draws a vivid picture and demands the listeners to yield into temptation and vice.

Although it sometimes stands on old Gothic clichés, Hesperia sounds updated and relevant, with several great moments and interesting songs. Fans of dark, sensual and decadent music would probably love this album. As it is well made and well thought of, Hesperia should also appeal to others. Good job!