Calliope Music Rapid Reviews
HMLTD - The Worm
London Art Rock Band, HMLTD Unleashes Palatial Orchestrations of Medieval Theatre and Apocalyptic Metaphor in this Zestful Rock Opera.
Flamboyant progressive instrumentals veer between sweeping ensembles, blaring electro-acoustic rock pieces and dainty piano segments while lead singer, Henry Spychalski leads exuberant melodies and roaring choir.
The concept album revolves around the titular Worm, acting as an all encompassing symbol of oppressive power systems and one's own depression and anxiety. The Worm is a domineering beast to be slayed, representing political power structure that prays on its people by destroying the environment in search of profit. The Worm also acts as a parasite, a systematic bug placed in everyone, driving their mental states down to be easily controlled. The narrative of the project leans in on this dystopian world where the Worm has taken over, before revealing that it is the psychotic delusion of Spychalski, the leech he blames for the suicide of his lover.
This theatrical tale is proficiently told through poetic opera and Spychalski's vehement vocal performance. Resplendent production and instrumental dynamism also adds to the world-building quality of HMLTD's sound. Apart from extended spoken word sequences interrupting such dynamism and the sometimes too-quick shuffling of different rhythms, The Worm still acts as a mighty and quite contemplative Rock hippodrome.
Best Tracks: The End Is Now -- Saddest Worm Ever -- The Worm -- Past Life (Sinnerman's Song)
7/10
See Website For More Reviews: Calliope Music
Comments
Post a Comment