Folk N Rock
Spotlight Album: ‘Chaotic Resonance’ – Bombyx Mori

Today, I’m looking at an album that’s truly one-of-a-kind, a whirlwind that’s easily one of the most creative records I’ve heard in ages. This project has been three years in the making, and while I can’t say for sure, the timing certainly hints at it being a pandemic-born creation. It’s called “Chaotic Resonance,” and it’s the brainchild of Bombyx Mori.

After lending his talents to a multitude of projects, He decided to forge his own path, taking a truly unique approach. He scoured the online world, connecting with musicians from every corner of the globe, inviting them to contribute their distinct styles and instrumentation to the mix. The result is a breathtakingly diverse project that unites a global community of artists under the banner of metal. And as I said, this is one of the most unique projects I’ve heard in a long time, and this is coming from a guy that’s no stranger to the fusion genres. So, let’s get right into it.

Right off the bat, I was hooked by the album’s opener, “Freeze the Frame.” A quick double hit guitar riff blends so well with percussion and an absolutely groovy bassline that pulled me right in. The song’s effectiveness is undeniable. The vocal delivery is a standout, a great example of range and power. Clean vocals with a raw edge transition into deep, brutal growls, perfectly complementing the lyrics. Which I must say, a very impactful.

The way everything is put together is just phenomenal, a tightly constructed powerhouse that explodes with energy from the first note. For me, I feel like it’s important to make a first impression, and this opening track made a great one. As for the song, I feel like it is a visceral gut-punch of a song, a raw and unflinching look at a world gone wrong. It’s a cry in the face of violence, manipulation, and the crushing weight of despair, and war. It a song that’s all too real.

It’s like you’re trapped in a cycle of pain, witnessing the horrors of war and the lies that fuel it. It’s a world where innocence is shattered, and hope is long gone. The lyrics give off a  sense of disillusionment and a longing for something, anything, to cling to in the midst of chaos. There’s a real rage here beneath the surface. As if  it’s about a fighter, seeking a way to break free. It’s a powerful anthem.

“Leaves in the Wind” sets a different tone, immersing  in a deep, atmospheric sound. The guitar work leans towards a doomy heaviness, but then we get a very cool twist with a soaring brass section. The rich, vibrant sound of those horns is absolutely stunning, coming right into the track’s fabric, adding a layer of unexpected brilliance.

And what’s really cool it gives this song a totally different vibe and feel. Once again, the vocals showcase a compelling blend of slightly edgy and harsh delivery, perfectly complementing the track’s dynamic instrumentation. The interplay between the two vocal styles creates a sense of tension and unease, mirroring the song’s overall atmosphere.

The song feels like it’s about societal disillusionment, the grip of materialism, and the struggle to find meaning in a world that feels cold and mechanical. It’s like you’re dealing with this inner turmoil, seeking solace and authenticity amidst the noise and chaos of modern existence. The song speaks to wanting connection and purpose, while also acknowledging the destructive forces that threaten to extinguish our inner spark.

For example, I love the lines of like  “cannon fodder” and “leaves in the wind” and how it gives this powerlessness and disposability, highlighting the feeling of being lost in a vast, uncaring system. The lyrics hint at a societal obsession with wealth, that has eroded genuine human connection . And that’s something really easy to get caught up these days, as oftentimes people will flaunt their wealth on social media for example.

“The Promise” explodes right off the bat really strong. That infectious funk bassline is back, and it’s even more prominent this time, making its way through the track really nicely at the start. This song is pure, unadulterated aggression, a full-throttle assault on the senses. The vocals are a force of nature, raw and visceral, unleashing a torrent of emotion. It’s a classic adrenaline-fueled metal anthem, but with a twist: the saxophone.

Yes, you read that right. A saxophone. It’s not unheard of in metal, but it’s rare enough to make you sit up and take notice. The sax adds a jarring, yet strangely awesome element to the mix, like a splash of cold water on a scorching summer day. Just to bring you back down to earth for a moment. The result is a sound that’s both bone-shattering and strangely danceable. It’s not quite groove metal, but it definitely gets your blood pumping and your feet moving. The song’s brief, staticky interludes gives off a few little breathers, allowing you to catch your breath before the sax onslaught.

And to me, this song feels like it’s dealing with inner demons and societal pressures. It’s an unflinching exploration of mental health struggles, addiction, and the search for meaning in well, life I guess. You have this tormented soul caught in a ‘labyrinth of thoughts’, and looking for a way out. There’s a sense of disillusionment with the traditional paths to happiness and fulfillment, as well as a rejection of typical expectations and norms.  I guess in a way, to me it feels like a quest for self-discovery, looking to break free. It’s a battle against inner demons as I said, and fight for sanity and clarity.

Ever had that uncanny feeling of thinking about something, only to have it manifest in some unexpected way? It’s like a bizarre coincidence that leaves you questioning the nature of reality, wondering if you somehow willed it into existence. The other day, I was chatting with a friend about various instrumentations, and out of the blue, the theremin came up. You know, that instrument that’s often relegated to spooky, sci-fi soundtracks, the one that conjures up images of ghosts and extraterrestrial encounters.

It’s a rare find in the music world, seldom heard outside of those specific contexts. But wouldn’t you know it, just a few days later, I stumble upon the Theremin here on this record with, ‘Through the Lens’.  It’s like the equivalent of finding a unicorn grazing in your backyard. And my gosh, there is fantastic use of it here. It doesn’t really give off that cliche sound with the rest of the music, heck, i’d almost say it’s even danceable. Everything you’d ever be in the mosh pit or rocking out dancing to a theremin? Well, now you will.

The track starts of with that eerie atmosphere, the theremin’s otherworldly wail making its way through a dense, sludgy sound that evokes images of dark rituals and forgotten tombs. But just when you think you’ve got the song pegged, it breaks free from its somber confines and explodes into a full-fledged rock anthem, a pretty big difference here from the expected forces of darkness. It’s a great blend of light and shadow, with this instrument and the guitarwork. A little over halfway through, the song takes another cool turn, venturing into proggy territory with a nice little instrumental break.

This feels like a dark trip down the rabbit hole of existence, a look at the emptiness hiding beneath society’s shiny facade. It’s a song that challenges everything you think you know, questioning whether our reality is anything more than a smoke and mirrors illusion. I remember how I got this weird feeling the first time after watching The Matrix, that’s kind of the same feeling that I get after listening to this song. I always love music that’s just sort of thought provoking.

This is another track giving this grim picture of a world consumed by greed and conflict, where humanity seems lost and adrift. It’s like a slap in the face, forcing you to confront the uncomfortable truth that maybe, just maybe, there’s nothing deeper beneath the surface of our manufactured lives. The song’s message is both haunting and thought-provoking, which again, makes excellent use of the theremin.

“Clockwork Man” threw me for a loop, plain and simple. There’s so much to unpack here, and it’s awesome. It’s the kind of track that makes you question everything you thought you knew about genre fusion. The song incorporates what I think is a penny whistle and bagpipes, which, okay, isn’t totally out of left field for folk metal. But trust me, this is different.

This track stands out from the rest of the album, and I know I’ve said that about other songs, but this one truly does. It’s got those unique folk instruments, but it’s still undeniably a metal track. Yet, it’s got the rhythm and soul of something straight out of the golden era of rock ‘n’ roll. It’s got this real sock hop, almost surfer-rock vibe to it. It’s an unexpected combination, to say the least, but somehow, it totally works.

This is a song that is against a world that tries to turn us into mindless robots. It’s a song about feeling trapped in a system that values profit over people, where fear and greed are the oil that keeps the gears turning. And over all it’s this picture of a society on the brink of collapse, where the pursuit of power has led to moral decay and widespread corruption. There’s almost like this bit of hope throughout the song, a belief that even in the face of overwhelming odds, we can find a way to create a better world. It’s a powerful message that I think speaks very loudly in todays world.

“Chaotic Resonance” is an absolute powerhouse of an album, a record that defies categorization. Bombyx Mori has masterfully crafted an album that’s both a feast and a thought-provoking exploration of various topics. The sheer variety of instrumentation on display is great, from the ethereal wail of the theremin to the primal thunder of bagpipes, all  interwoven with a rock-solid metal foundation.

But “Chaotic Resonance” is more than just a collection of catchy tunes and impressive musicianship. It’s an album with a message, a powerful statement about the state of our world and the challenges we face as individuals. The lyrics go deep into themes of societal disillusionment, the struggle for identity, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world.

I love the to unwavering commitment to artistic integrity.  He went on to find his own path, and brought so many musicians from around the world into one great album, and it rocks.

The post Spotlight Album: ‘Chaotic Resonance’ – Bombyx Mori appeared first on Folk N Rock.
Scott

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