The Murder Of My Sweet-Echoes of the Aftermath

Frontiers Music s.r.l.
2017

Sweden's one and only The Murder Of My Sweet (vocalist Angelica Rylin, guitarist Christopher Vetter, bassist Patrik Janson, and drummer, keyboardist, producer, and founder Daniel Flores) are now on their forth full-length album. As I've already covered the group's last two albums (link), "Echoes of the Aftermath" is almost a must-hear release in these parts. I'm not sure that I would have it any other way. Self-dubbed "cinematic metal", The Murder of My Sweet is more or less a vehicle for Angelica Rylin's captivating voice and that hasn't changed on the group's latest piece. For those of you who might not be all that familiar with Daniel Flores and his band, symphonic metal is a solid enough staring place to describe this graceful act. Said genre is greatly inspired by movie scores and film noir storytelling (in a very good way!) and things like melodic metal, hard rock, progressive rock, and the more appealing aspects of A.O.R. are simply along for the ride. The multi-talented Daniel Flores did a nice job with the overall production and I have no complaints about the songwriting or the performances. While I would have liked to see this skilled band take a few more chances, personal preferences are just that-personal. This is a good (albeit it safe) recording that plays to the band's strengths. If you liked 2015's "Beth Out Of Hell" as much as I did then you should find this album pleasing.

The Murder Of My Sweet-Beth Out Of Hell

Frontiers Music srl
2015

Formed in 2006 by drummer, keyboardist and producer Daniel Flore, The Murder of My Sweet is a charismatic metal band that is based in Stockholm, Sweden and well known for the stunning voice of front-woman Angelica Rylin. Back in 2012 I covered this band's wonderful sophomore album, "Bye Bye Lullaby", and now this sensational group is back with a new concept album and a new band-member in bass player Patrik Janson (Platitude). Self-described by band founder (and all-out rocker!) Daniel Flores as "an apocalyptic love story between good and evil", "Beth Out Of Hell" is both a expected return (in terms of this band's high-class cinematic heavy style and their overall top-notch ability as songwriters and performers) and an unexpected return (not only has The Murder Of My Sweet grown as a band in the songwriting department, but album number ends up being a slightly heavier and more dynamic experience!!!!). In addition to the already mentioned players, "Beth Out Of Hell" (which incidentally is a title that I flat out dig!) features the key work of guitarist Christopher Vetter (a highly-underrated musician is you ask me!) as well as voice actors and a children's choir! It works well with the band's rather distinct cinematic nature (everything from the band's name to their sound is heavily inspired by movie scores) and the (by now familiar) symphonic metal and heavy rock elements that The Murder Of My Sweet has become known for. Granted this is also a band that likes to sprinkle classic heavy metal and melodic hard rock into the mix so there is never a dull moment to be had when it comes to sitting down with this exquisite lot! With all of that in the mind here's the final score. Album number three is the album that should make people stand up and take notice of this Swedish metal band. Somehow The Murder Of My Sweet has improved upon what was already perfection and in the process they have given their fans a classic album in the making. Because of the obvious care that went into the making of this new album it is a release that is grand in scope and vision. It is all at once a thoroughly complex and technically amazing release and one that shows off this group's ability to write enchanting music. In a nutshell "Beth Out Of Hell" is a album that is chock full of style and substance and it's one of those great metal releases that should appeal to a wide range of tastes. To the band I say welcome back and congrats on this sweeping release! And to all our readers I suggest not only getting this album when it drops in August, but if you get a chance to experience this band live then by all means DO IT!

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.