Evils Desire - Initium
CD Info
2010
Self Released / The Netherlands
10 Tracks
English Lyrics
Sometimes you just have to go with what you like. Of course, it still takes talent, it still takes some capabilities other than the basics, it still takes some inspiration. And the Dutch just seem to find all of that in unlimited supplies. Evil’s Desire may not be a household name but they meet the requirements of a top level Dutch Symphonic Operatic Gothic sound. And, in female metal, that is something to be appreciated. So, although this may be my favorite form of female metal, I’d argue that this evaluation is based on talent more than anything else, and Evil’s Desire demonstrates that talent in abundance.
Of course nothing’s perfect. I’m not wild about the name, somehow it just reminds me of Dick Cheney, can’t get the connection out of my mind. Maybe it will pass, hopefully before the bad memories of the former American VP. But ED (wow, that has some unfortunate connotations as well, doesn’t it) has some very positive qualities, not the least of which is the vocal of lead singer Daphne Gobius du Sart. And, we need to talk about that a little. You’re probably aware that several of the top European Gothic vocalists have involved themselves as vocal trainers in their spare time, several having gone into it full time after they tired of touring I suspect. Floor Jansen is one of these having been involved in training female vocalists for a number of years now. And Daphne is one of her students, or was in this case. Daphne suggests that distance has caused her to seek out a vocal coach closer to her current location but makes it clear that much of what she presents is a result of her association with the After Forever / ReVamp lead singer. And that training shows. Daphne states that "I truly love the combination of classical and pop style in my singing and she (Jansen) is one of the few teachers who will teach both. She has mastered every singing technique I know of and has an amazing, powerful voice." That diversification of styles is evident in a number of tracks on the Initium CD, Daphne goes from pop to metal and spends a lot of time in the opera delivery, sometimes in one song. And she seems to be as comfortable with the ballad as she is with the more hard metal deliveries that are required in a number of selections. And her band mates aren’t bad either, they seem to have the classical direction down pretty well, they provide a solid background and take the lead when called upon. All in all, a pretty fair approximation of the Dutch Symphonic Operatic Gothic direction.
Initium begins with the traditional classical entrance, this one leading to a natural sound, falling water, lightening, thunder over a haunting backdrop. But as the classical bows out, we are moved towards the metal, over a keyboard based theme that moves us forward. Red Death, I am advised, is taken from the Edgar Allen Poe title that addresses the topic at hand. Always having been a fan of the traditional Gothic this one interested me. It’s pretty heavily tilted towards the keys but we get an introduction to Daphne’s vocal capabilities as well. The band is solid, the vocals are somewhat reserved but do move towards the operatic, maybe not Floor Jansen yet, but well on the way.
Mountain of Fate gives the guitar players some emphasis. It talks to the experience of heights, and Daphne seems to have some fun with this title. Lots of high notes to explore, the band covers the valleys and we do some exploring. True Lies takes it’s direction from the Tarantino movie True Romance, it’s a bit of a rocker, more along the lines of a prog music direction with the ever popular keyboards doing more heavy lifting. There is an interesting segment where the tone drops, a lonely guitar covers a lovely vocal that tugs at the heart. Daphne is really stronger in these moments; her vocals have that dark but lovely sound that works well here.
Ignorance is another lovely ballad, with a dark message. It talks about a time traveler who tries to set things right, only to be rejected. We get some male vocals here and they are not bad. Again, the sound tends to bounce around, from lovely and haunting to rocking. The message is distressing:
She mediates, she mediates
Between our world. and the one from another day
She gives and takes, she gives and takes,
to save us all from bad days, heeeee
The sound gets more and more desperate as does the message. The male vocals are interspersed and occasionally work together with Daphne, and with a relatively strong harmony. Nice work here.
There are some really strong individual instrumental sections through out the music. Destructive Union again provides an interesting guitar. Other instruments have their moments but the guitar work of Eric Mol can prove extraordinarily satisfying when allowed to shine. This title is light on the vocals, although they are there, but it really lets the Dutch musicians demonstrate their skill levels.
Ego takes us in a more atmospheric direction. The keys again carry much of the melody with the guitars and drums holding the metal together. A male vocal line opens up the selection but there is a trade off between the two. The topic if relevant. The approach in the lyrics makes use of the two contrasting styles, one taking one side of the argument, the other taking the opposite direction:
How does it feel when your enemy,
forces you to see reality?
But your world it ain't so real,
and your mind will never heal.
Ego...
Again, this style of singing seems to be Daphne’s strong point, Floor taught this style well. She even sounds a little like the Diva in some segments.
Nemesis returns us to the keyboard delivery. Heavy on the atmospheric initially and then into a more up tempo keyboard. Daphne goes soprano here. This is the operatic segment, lots of high notes, even a little growling from the male vocal. Probably as close as they come to the Norwegian direction, Morton and Vibeke with lyrics to match.
I failed to see that they used me,
but now I see their design.
I am stronger than I ever were before,
they thought they killed me,
But instead unleashed a force,
demonish, devilish, I'm Nemesis!
I understand the theme comes from a computer game so if it sounds a little other worldly that might be the cause.
The CD concludes with Acceptance which, for me, may be the highlight of the work. Again, it’s a ballad, piano intro, lovely backgrounds, soothing and featuring the strongest vocals of the CD. It’s a complicated topic, love, murder, deception, all our favorites. But the song is lovely, the duet components especially satisfying. Ordinarily, I’m a rocker but when it sounds like this, I’m inclined to listen.
Evil’s Desire has put out a typically first rate Dutch Symphonic sound here. The music is what we have come to expect from this part of the world, the voice does justice to the training. Now, if I could just get that Dick Cheney thing out of my mind, but that’s a problem I’ll have to work on.
9 / 10
