music review

::: Zeitgeist ::: "Entrap (Caught in Winter)"

gothic-dark-metal-pop

Whereas earlier Zeitgeist material was firmly rooted in progressive metal, this 3-track CD showcases a mellower more accessible sound. Though it's still very dark and sombre. I guess you could call it gothic-jazzy-ambient-metal-pop. On the most recently recorded tracks, Shayne's Diamandas-Galas-like vocal screetchings are absent as her melodic singing holds the fort over a more conventional song structure. This structure is in contrast to earlier material which reminded me of very early-70s Queen with it's more organic non-verse-chorus song forms.

The music is characterised by Joy Division-like basslines, jazzy strummed chord and occasionally distorted guitars, jazzy swinging and tribal drums and Shayne's vocals. This release has taken me many listens to get into which is never a bad thing. Often such things become favourites over time but I do presently prefer their previous CD "Lunar" ($15) which I think is awesome. Though few artists (myself included) are happy when one says things to the tune of "I like the old stuff better than the new stuff!" Anyway, that's just my opinion and there are those who will prefer this for sure. My favourite of the studio tracks here is "The Leash", while my overall fave is the excellent remix of "Coming of Sound" with it's darkwave-gothic-psychedelic electronics.

Available for $7 from PO Box A297 Sydney South NSW 1235 Australia E-mail: info@zeitgeistaustralia.com Web: www.zeitgeistaustralia.com