A Magnificent Cold feat. Phantasos – Scars as Souvenirs
A Magnificient Cold, led by Sebastian Crugley, is an experimental dark-folk/metal band from Buenos Aires, Argentina, has incredible range. While the vocal talents of Scars as Souvenirs are lacking, Crugley’s impeccable instrumentation is the true highlight of his EP, Scars as Souvenir. One can’t help but imagine how incredible the piece would have been had it been longer and executed with a more down-to-Earth and intimate delivery of vocals.
Cicatrices is one impressive opener, beautifully intertwining depressive black metal with sombre keys. While the progression of the track is rather stale, the atmosphere is consistent the entire way through. Garden of Words is an underwhelming detour, expanding upon the aesthetic of the album without offering any substance. The following track, Foliage Ink, is an explementary emotional centre of the EP. The melancholic ambiance, quiet contemplation, and accompanying climax all fit together nicely into a satisfying track. Utan Mening boasts more of Crugley’s beautiful instrumentation, though the vocals begin to sound tacky and far too over-the-top by this point in the album.
Scars as Souvenirs is emotionally honest, but its emotion rides on an aesthetic that has been done to death, marred by a conventional approach to storytelling. Most of the album relies on its aesthetic, yet it could have ridden it much further; the framework of the EP is gorgeous. Sadly, the vocal delivery of Francesco Torresi and Veronica Gironacci seem forced and repetitive. Nevertheless, the instrumentation certainly makes it worth listening to; Crugley’s blend of guitars, drums and his noteworthy piano are unbelievably admirable. Here’s hoping Crugley can home in on his beautiful instrumentation to deliver something more compelling.
Good
Listen to it here:
A Magnificent Cold feat. Phantasos – Scars as Souvenirs
