It is a rare thing to find a band that has ambition, passion, and the execution of a musical concept as fully realized as “The Archeress” by Bella Novela. The idea of a band going down the corridor of the rock opera seems to be laughable and relegated to bands whose pomposity fills the airwaves of classic rock stations all over the country. This is not the case with “The Archeress.” The opening instrumental “Exodus”, sets the stage for the next 45 minutes of the albums duration. The rising tension of “Exodus” is reminiscent of the spaghetti western music of legendary film composer Ennio Morricone. The album quickly shifts gears into the song “Sanctuary” that introduces us to the roaring vocals of singer/keyboard player Jackie Ojeda. Jackie’s vocal prowess is matched by the equally powerful rhythm section of drummer Jannea McClure and guitarist Jacob Heath. To say that the band shares musical chemistry would be a radical understatement. In the following song “Aftermath” Heath executes guitar lines that call to mind some of the more inventive playing of Omar Rodriguez Lopez of The Mars Volta. Bella Novela’s not so secret weapon is the rhythmic firepower of drummer Jannea. Her lighting quick drumming propels the band in only the way a truly great drummer can.
One of the things that keeps the album flowing seamlessly is the relentless, constantly shifting rhythms that run through the record. This type of music demands a band to not merely be well rehearsed, but to also constantly be in the moment in order to execute its barrage of tempos and changes.
At this point you might be asking yourself, what is the concept behind this concept record. How does this sound: the last woman on earth fighting for her survival in the midst of an apocalypse with zombies and vampires. That may seem like a lot to swallow, but once you start listening to the album, it makes more sense than you might imagine. It takes an over the top band to do such an over the top concept.
As the album reaches the finish line we are treated to the one of the most direct spaghetti western homages they could pay with the song “The Drifter.” A trumpet blares forth, creating a sense that the final stretch of the album is going to push the emotion and playing to their extremes. Once the epic and harrowing final song “The Last Act” hits, you can feel that this album is going to end big. Not just big, HUGE. When you hear Jackie sing “NO! This can’t be the way that it ends!” you can’t help but visualize a crowded room full of people shouting the same line back to the band. Those are the musical moments bands should not shy away. Anthemic is good, anthemic is powerful. But what happens to the Archeress? I can’t tell you that. You have to experience it yourself.
One closing thought, given the cinematic and episodic nature of this record, I could easily see this becoming the source material for a film adaptation. Someone NEEDS to make that happen.
Listen: http://bellanovela.bandcamp.com/album/the-archeress
Connect: https://www.facebook.com/bellanovela
-
bellanovela reblogged this from endlesssound
-
natashaholly liked this
-
icanhazbrains reblogged this from endlesssound
-
icanhazbrains liked this
-
koalaslament reblogged this from endlesssound and added:
Couldn’t Agree more, seeing...my local favorites
-
endlesssound posted this
