Review – Satyricon by MaterDea

I love the explosive power of MaterDea‘s newest release, Satyricon. Their ability to combine Celtic music with the thundering sounds of rock is amazing. The lyrics alone, if read as a poem, will transport you to these other realms. Add the energetic and ethereal music and you will definitely be in a far off land filled with love and light with shades of darkness mingling within.

The beginning of "Satyricon" immediately grabs your attention. Marco does a remarkable piece, followed by Simon's beautiful voice. The rhythm is hard driving with rich full tones of ancient instruments married with electronic. It makes you wish there was still such a place to live in the middle of the chaos of modern times. The guitar work rivals the best of hard rock guitarists. Just a brilliant work of art. "Lady Of Inverness" continues this brilliancy. The strings, percussion, the arrangement. There isn't one aspect of creating a masterpiece that is missing here. They have captured it all and makes it sound easy. Simon's voice is a great combination of gentle, sultry, and a little added brashness for the rock/blues.

"The Green Man" shows off their musicality in more ways with different instruments, but the rock power still remains. It shows Simon's softer voice that can still stand up to the powerful music behind her. Here they also make the writing of lyrics appear as if it comes as easily as waking up in the morning. I am a great fan just for the reading of their lyrics.

One of my favorites on the disc is "Benandantes, Malandantes" the whole arrangement is just fantastic from beginning to end. I love the energy this song emits over the waves. Their play with light and dark textures flow together to create another realm to visit.

The piano work is so beautiful and is the backdrop for "Awareness". It is not overshadowed by the guitar or percussion, but flows together like the seasons one to another. "Broomoon" is an exact opposite of the preceding song. A very powerful and highly energetic song, definitely one I have repeated over and over. Again, their ability for making lyrics look easy as well as writing the melodies is apparent.

"Castle Of Baux (Il Signore di Baux) is phenomenal! Back to hard driving sound with softer vocals, but one which is again, divinely married. Another favorite of mine on this cd. Visions of Yule eve dance in our heads as we listen to "Children Of The Gods". They change up rhythm and pitch without missing a note.

Simon has perfect pitch, never an off key moment and in "The Little Diviner" is not an easy task. This is a complicated song to sing and she does it so smoothly. You can see those eyes of steel piercing your soul. I am in love with this song—every aspect is masterfully created. Thought went into the placement of every note and every beat. Feel the power.

"Satyricon" comes to a close with "Between The Temple Walls". This song IS MaterDea! A dreamy, drifting song that slowly brings you back to this world, leaves you wanting for more.

Together, Marco and Simon have created a masterpiece, they call "Satyricon". They are so overwhelmingly phenomenal, words cannot express—you just have to listen.
What Trans Siberian Orchestra has done with Christmas, MaterDea has accomplished and far exceeded for the Ancient Ways. They are the Picasso and Rembrandt of the music world. If I could give "Satyricon" a higher rating than 5 out of 5 pentacles, I would.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 Pentacles