The Butcher's Ballroom

Avant-garde metal bands are probably infamous for their schizophrenic compositions, mindlessly genre-hopping at every possible turn that their music begins to sound more like a bunch of random ideas rather than actual songs. Carnival in Coal and Mr Bungle (specifically on Disco Volante) are two guilty examples. However, Diablo Swing Orchestra stands out from the majority because unlike them, they manage to integrate a massive amalgamation of sounds into every single track with excellent cohesion and unrivalled fiery passion. Yes, they actually managed to write not mindless genre wankery but ACTUAL SONGS. Diablo Swing Orchestra isn't trying to be the most experimental or avant-gardy band ever. They knew exactly what they wanted to do with "The Butcher's Ballroom", which was to deliver the soundtrack of an aristocratic party. In hell.

A plethora of genres are presented in this album, the most striking of the lot being jazz and classical music. In fact, these two genres interweave so well that I might go as far to call Diablo Swing Orchestra a third stream metal band, where third stream refers to a particular genre of music that equally incorporates characteristics of jazz and classical. "Balrog Boogie" and "Pink Noise Waltz" are highlights to what the band can offer with regard to third stream, creating interesting timbres by allowing the prominent cello to hack away at infectious grooves. The album also effectively exhibits a variety of other influences such as mexican mariachi music ("Poetic Pitbull Revolutions") and tango (the haughty "Heroines" and the more aggressive and dramatic "Infralove"). And still, these influences do not jut out awkwardly but rather blend in well with the band's unique timbre, allowing the album to flow irresistibly well from start to finish.

What about the metal elements on this track? Though they do seem like they are merely plastered onto certain tracks to make them sound more 'heavy', the grindy guitars take a more prominent role on other songs and effectively fulfill their duty as part of the rhythm section. "Wedding March for a Bullet" and "Porcelain Judas" are predominantly guitar-driven tracks full of momentum with funk and even groove metal influences brought in, making them some of the more headbang-inducing tracks on the album. Acoustic solos also hearken to renaissance-era music, specifically on the middle section of "Velvet Embracer" and the spectacular final minute on "Pink Noise Waltz". This is where I start to feel that Diablo Swing Orchestra may have delved into a very smooth blend between metal and third stream music. However, the metal is not focused on making the album 'brutal' or 'thick'. Rather, it aims to deliver a greater rhythmic sense to the third stream elements and push them with more forceful momentum. This enables Diablo Swing Orchestra to create their own unique sound, which I would like to casually and carelessly label as 'fourth stream' music.

Of course, we cannot neglect the growling basslines that support the cacophony, as well as the sadly mediocre but at least functional drumming. Guest instruments like the solo woodwind on "Zodiac Virtue" and the wailing trumpet on "Balrog Boogie" also aid in making the album seem a little fresher and more well-rounded. Last but not least, the overall aristocratic atmosphere conveyed by this album is slammed right into your face with the absolutely gorgeous operatic vocals. They say it ain't over until the fat lady sings! The vocalist, with her outright bombastic and dramatic cries of passion, deliver the most amazing timbres of disdain and (might I say) arrogance that makes this album feel so confident and high class.

Save for what I feel can make this album slightly better (such as more interesting drumming), Diablo Swing Orchestra have a created an immaculate masterpiece for a debut. It is pretty amazing for a new band to hop straight into such a profound and unique identity with a blazing amount of passion and confidence in the music that they are making. It almost feels like Diablo Swing Orchestra really have been doing this madness as a professional orchestra since the 16th century of Sweden, and they're back in modern times to slaughter all of us with their ballroom music from the depths of hell!

Thought not every metal fan's cup of tea, "The Butcher's Ballroom" is a flawless sample for those metalheads who crave for something a little different, as well as an instant classic that must be acquired for any avant-garde fan. Behold, the Diablo Swing Orchestra. A band that really knows what the hell they're doing.