Morifade
Domi_nation
6.3
There was in America a debate around a seemingly good idea that really probably wasn't. It was about what was called a line item veto, which would have allowed a president to nix various add-on legislation that were sent to him as a single bill. If you needed a bill to, say, fund clean air research in coal burning states - something useful for the public - some congressman would tack on a rider that also funded his trip to Thailand to have sex with little boys. The president must sign or veto the entire bill, pedophilia and all. A line item veto would allow the pres to hack the offending rider off without having to veto the entire bill. Problem is, without vetoing the whole bill the president gets to decide what is and is not important legislation, removing that responsibility....well, shit, you all took civics.
As I have listened to Morifade's Domi Nation album I have become aware of the desire to have a line item recording. As owner of this record I want the ability to remove offending performances. This could have been a good record if not for two things...and you know what they are already, I bet: The singer and the keyboardist. I have been ragging on Power ROCK bands for a while because no one ever grabs them for review. I pick records randomly based on whether they are already spoken for, and it seems like more and more often I am ending up with a month's worth of Power ROCK records. And they suck. I haven't heard one yet that was worth a shit. As a whole.
Thing is, Power ROCK is almost always ruined by the same things: horrible singing, wretched keyboard playing and a generally timid songwriting style. Few of these bands ever cross the border into dangerous unknown territory, and when this garbage has been around for nearly 25 years, I guarantee I have heard every possible idea any of these bands are trying, and heard it done better.
But with Morifade, there are some really gritty songs under the fairy glitter. I would go so far as to say that if this band killed the singer and keyboardist, they would have one hell of a decent act. The other three parts - guitars, drums and bass (GDB) make compelling metal, even if it is sometimes dated. There is a Delirious Nomad or Power and the Glory lurking under here - a REAL anachrometal record. The first riff on the whole CD pays serious homage to the working class style of early Saxon or Accept, and the GDB then goes on to experiment with timing and rhythm and play heavy fucking metal.
But just after the METAL has started along comes the keys and drags the whole shebang into a flouncy effeminacy that may have worked for Kagagoogoo, but doesn't for a metal band. And the singer, even while sometimes keeping things decent, can't help but croon to his imaginary girlfriend from the middle ages again and again. He might not have to die if he just stops acting like such an elf.
Eventually all this female undergarment metal drags the whole project into another boring, predictable and pointless power ROCK disaster. Perfectly produced, but ultimately dying the death of the Styxcore.
Bottom line: When Sony finally invents a cheap way to remove the awful performances from an otherwise good record, I will revisit the land of the Morifade. Until then, this record is a grave disappointment, considering how good the basic structure is. Power ROCK fans should be in seventh heaven, in fact you could add one to all my scores if you are one of the dandy hobbit types. But for people who just want to hear some heavy metal this is to be avoided.
