The Murder Of My Sweet-Bye Bye Lullaby

AFM Records
2012


Sweden's The Murder of My Sweet was formed in 2006 by drummer and producer Daniel Flores. The band's name was inspired by the 1944 film noir "Murder, My Sweet"
which is kind of interesting as the music itself is said to be influenced by movie soundtracks (as well as various books) and movie soundtracks. Rounding out the rest of the band is the talented Angelica Rylin (vocals), Andreas Lindahl (keyboards), Teddy Westlund (bass) and David Sivelind (guitar). Prior to the release of the band's 2010 debut album, "Divanity" the band released the single “Bleed Me Dry” which reached the No. 14 spot on the Swedish National Singles Charts. Two more singles (2010's "Tonight" and 2012's "Unbreakable") were released before this female-fronted five-piece issued "Bye Bye Lullaby". On this album then, the band's sophomore LP, (which by the way was produced in their own Sound vs. Science Studio and mastered at the Cutting Room) (Gorgoroth, Candlemass, Glenn Hughes) the music is full of hard rock and progressive metal moments as well as traditional heavy metal and modern rock influences. With well structured numbers that are full of both biting edge rock/metal and stunning keyboard work the added guest appearances by Jesper Strömblad (In Flames), Peter Wichers (Soilwork) & Fredrik Åkesson (Opeth) just ends up being icing on the cake. While the promo mentions that one track was featured on the soundtrack for the movie “The Ice Dragon”, which was featured at the Berlin Film Festival, they don't mention which one. The thing is it's easy to tell that the music is influenced by movie soundtracks as the whole album has a special feel to it. It carries the various highs and lows of personal emotions well and with it's musical inspirations moving about from more hard rock music to melodic alternative rock and everything in between it ends up as a truly epic experience. In a normal setting the idea of a soundtrack-based band would not sit well with me. Does anyone else remember U2's side-project Passengers? "Original Soundtracks 1" left me less then impressed and from that point on I dreaded the idea of album's where a band would purposely try to craft something soundtrack in nature. The Murder Of My Sweet could have been a disaster if not for two things. The first is singer Angelica Rylin. Angelica (pardon the bad pun!) has a voice like an angel. A rock and roll angel that is. She has an amazing and powerful voice. Between that little fact and the reality that The Murder Of My Sweet can write music that is indeed well-rounded and epic in quality and the album ends up working on so many levels. This promo does not do the band justice as these five musicians have written actual rock songs that contain a pop sensibility along with a mean hard rock/metal attitude. It's electronic and natural, full of energy and emotion while knowing at it's very core that the music has to have serious substance and charm. Otherwise this would be on flat album full of fake emotions. It isn't though. Far from it actually. With it's fair share of melody and driving power rock this is a fun album and a sure fire winner! Here's hoping the future is only brighter for this Swedish band.