Subterranean Masquerade
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| Subterranean Masquerade | |
|---|---|
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Genres | Progressive metal Avant-Garde metal Atmospheric metal Experimental Psychedelic rock |
| Labels | The End Records |
| Members | Tomer Pink Paul Kuhr Jake DePolitte |
Contents |
[edit] Overview
Subterranean Masquerade is a progressive psychedelic metal band that was formed in 1997 by Tomer Pink, who also plays guitars for the band. The ambitious project means to become a trilogy of records. Since the release of the 2004 EP, Temporary Psychotic State, the band has gained high acclaim among the underground metal and alternative scene, but a breakthrough to greater fame has yet to occur. The 2005 album Suspended Animation Dreams got more mixed reviews, as the band upped the diversity on the second album, making it an even more advanced album to listen to. However, it did put off some reviewers, but on multiple occasions the band found their ratings to exceed 9,5/10 with rave reviews.
Subterranean Masquerade is quite a unique band in its blending of different styles of music. Where most bands stick to one or two genres, SubMasq travels from jazz, to ethno-rock, to psychedelic rock, to progressive metal, to avant-garde, to death metal and any kinds of mixtures of these genres. A good example of an odd, seemingly unfitting combination of genres is found in the 6:49 til 7:21 part of The Rock n Roll Preacher from the full-length, where vocalist Paul Kuhr puts out a low death growl over cheerful trumpets and saxophones. These combinations provide a very surrealistic feeling throughout the songs. The extreme diversity doesn't make for mainstream success, but upon the first listen it is obvious this is not Pink's intention.
[edit] Lyrical content
The trilogy revolves around the person X, a man who becomes so haunted by his own dreams he is taken into an asylum. The songs are not always from the perspective of X (for example, Six Strings to Cover Fear from SAD contains the sentence "X is sitting in his chair, he's half white and I'm half blue") but the insanity of X is always present throughout the lyrics. The ending sentence for the SAD into concludes: "For the rest of the session, you'll be asking yourself: Am I going crazy?", which sets the tone for the band's music. The lyrical content for both albums is supported by the artwork, even more so on SAD than on TPS. The TPS cover front displays a cluttered, though normal-looking room. But on the back of the cover, a drop causes ripples in the red rug on the floor. The booklet, cover and disc of SAD are filled with bizarre, dark, but childish-looking drawings. One of them displays a boy dangling from a rope, tied to the swing in a playground.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Full length albums
Suspended Animation Dreams, 2005
[edit] EPs
Temporary Psychotic State, 2004
[edit] Also appears on:
A Dead can Dance Tribute: The Lotus Eaters, 2004 "Summoning of the Muse - Deconstructed", disc 2, track 13
Cut's You Up: - The Complete Dark 80's Covers Compilation, 2000 "Cuts You Up", track 11
