Diablo Swing Orchestra - The Butcher’s Ballroom
When it comes to odd music, I don’t shock easily but Diablo Swing Orchestra got even me off guard on its first listen. This Swedish ensemble has one of the freshest and most exciting sounds I’ve heard in a long time and they manage it through an insane combination of heavy metal, swing jazz, a traditional European music smorgabord, and a classical soprano voice that probably broke wine glasses in the studio. By the time I got through the first two tracks, I considered going to the emergency ward for the possibility of impending head explosion. There is an operatic feel throughout the tracks and an intensity that hold up marvelously through every musical twist. There are actually two vocalists, male and female, and these two work to good effect on “Rag Doll Physics”, a weird cross between Wagner and Ozzy Osbourne. Just about when I thought my head might explode, soprano and guitar make love on the gorgeous ballad “D’Angelo”. However if you really want to get the sense of this album start at the first track with “Balrog Boogie”, a full-assault barrage of swing and metal that has to be heard to believe. Other tracks all have their surprises like the Raga influenced “Gunpowder Chant” and an epic “Zodiac Virtues”. Finally, in case, you haven’t received the message that no limits are spared, Diablo Swing exits with a marvelous “Pink Noise Waltz” that offers flute and violin solos among the metal barrage, swing overtones, and the operatic power of the vocal. This soars to the top of my best free online albums of 2009 list. Actually it may be one of the best albums of 2009 of any type.
The Butcher’s Ballroom is available in VBR MP3 from Jamendo. If you like the music, support the artists by purchasing the better sound quality CD or their newest release.
Hello, I agree with your review. This album was first released in 2007 in CD, on “The End Records” label. Their second album will be released this year. I preordered this new album.
Comment by samizo_kouhei — August 12, 2009 @ 7:35 am
I loved this album from the first moment in heard it, a couple of years ago (it was released in 2006), and I’m overjoyed the band uploaded it to Jamendo.
Comment by jjj — August 12, 2009 @ 1:39 pm
This is the best album I have ever downloaded form Jamendo and I have downloaded many. Thanks for letting us know about it. Love it. I am so happy that I am late in learning about it as the second album will be out before I get a chance to wear this one out, though I have already heard in 5 times in the last 24 hours. Definitely have to donate some money to this band.
Comment by Vincent — August 13, 2009 @ 6:07 am
Wasn’t it Candlelight who released this album in 2007?
Comment by Nevy — August 13, 2009 @ 11:01 am
Man this is good! great find!
Comment by someone — August 13, 2009 @ 4:55 pm
The album was self-released in the first place. Later it was licensed to Candlelight. Probably the deal expired and now they’ve released the album under Creative Commons.
Comment by OrlandoFurioso — August 13, 2009 @ 5:48 pm
Wow. I agree with Vincent… best free album download I’ve ever encountered. Thanks!
Comment by Scott — August 14, 2009 @ 3:55 pm
What an incredible release! Thanks for hipping me to it.
Comment by Michael Gregoire — August 17, 2009 @ 1:15 am
BTW…. their bio on Jamendo is equally as entertaining and inventive as the music. http://www.jamendo.com/en/artist/Diablo_Swing_Orchestra_(2)
Comment by Michael Gregoire — August 17, 2009 @ 1:17 am
Never heard of Mr. Bungle?
Comment by Markus — September 17, 2009 @ 7:06 pm