Band : Liquid Graveyard
Album Title : The Fifth Time I Died
Label : Rising Records
Distributor : Gordeon Music Promotion & Management
Release date : 28/03/2011
Release : CD

Following the split-up of legendary Death Metal act Cancer (who released a total of 2 demos, one EP, one split-LP, and 5 studio albums between 1988 and 2005 – the latter two even coming through my hands: see the last review posted 30/06/2005), frontman John Walker decided to take a directional change stylistically.

Based in Madrid, Spain, he started collaborating with singer Raquel Walker during Summer 2006, going for a style which is musically an Avant-Garde/ Progressive/ Psychedelic Rock...Death and Black elements still added to the frey through the vocals. A year later, the pair was joined by former Mourning Beloveth bassist Adrian de Buitléar, making for a completer picture of what Liquid Graveyard was to become. He also became the band's manager and promotor, and together they started to play their first Spanish gigs in early 2008. later that same year, and with Mark O'Connell on session drums, the band recorded and released its only demo Criministers. Shortly after they enlisted drummer Acaymo D, whom participated in the recordings of the band's debut full-length on Evil Days in April 2009. In June they signed to Italian quality label My Kingdom Music for the October 12 release of the album (an event which passed us by completely – nevertheless, the band got over 30 positive responses from international press reviews). Following gigs and festival appearances (during the rest of 2009 and into 2010) in support of the album, the band contributes to the soundtrack of Madrid based writer/ movie director Fernando Lobohem's latest flick Witch of The North (to be released later in 2011). They also sing a deal with UK label Rising Records in June. Meanwhile, it turns out that de Buitléar (who's still the band's manager) has turned over his bass playing responsibilities to one Gustavo Segura. Also, the band found a steady man on the drum seat in one Al Jimenez.

As mentioned earlier, the band's music is an Avant-Garde Progressive/ Psychedelic Rock, based in somewhat repetitive guitar riffs with slight hypnotic effects...in fact, don't expect any solos here, nor any “lead” play! However, the more familiar you you get with the material, the easier you will fall into a comfortable trance. What makes the band stand out, is its mixed use of male and female vocals. Raquel goes through different motions, from normal whisper to aggressive scream, from (female) grunt to girlie clean, with some spoken word stuff in between to boot...and brings a very specific vocal signature on top of it all. It's really hard to explain, but her voice has a quality which is só compellingly attractive, one might imagine this would have been what the mythical “sirens” sounded like! The male singer (must be John, for sure) adds spoken word, some kind of screamed shout, something definable as grunt (certain passages styled to match Raquel's somewhat), and normal voice to the whole. When explained as such, it sounds pretty lame, and I can only advice any music lover into Avant-Garde Rock, ProgRock, Psychedelic Rock, or even Psycho/ Prog Death Metal, to give the songs (3 off the new album, 4 off the debut) posted at (www.) myspace.com/liquidgraveyard a listen. Even while listening to the first track posted, you'll understand you're in touch with something truly extraordinary here! Definitely year-list material!!!

98/100

Tony.