Sanguine Glacialis – Maladaptive Daydreaming
Release Date: 18th August 2023
Label: Self Released
Bandcamp
Genre: Melodic Death Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Symphonic Metal, Jazz, Gothic Metal.
FFO:From Dying Sins, Your Last Wish, The Unconscious mind, Whispers in the Maze.
Review By: Mark Waight
Canadian band Sanguine Glacialis (Frozen Blood in Latin) who hail from Montreal in Quebec originally formed in 2010 and then split in 2016 to follow individual projects before reforming in 2017. The refreshed 2017 line-up had the full blessing of the original members, although only Maude Theberg remained from the band’s first incarnation.
Maladaptive Daydreaming is Sanguine Glacialis’ third album, following 2012’s “Dancing with a Hanged Man” and 2018’s “Hadopelagic.” The album title Maladaptive Daydreaming takes its name from a condition where excessive daydreaming interferes with daily life to become more enticing as reality becomes more and more of a struggle.
Sanguine Glacialis is Maude Theberg (vocals and keyboard), Marc Gervais (Bass and backing vocals), Jonathan Fontaine (guitar and backing vocals), Alexandre Lepine (guitar and backing vocals) and Jeremy Racine (drums and backing vocals).
Atmospheric and doom-laden opening, Welcome, gives you an insight into the dark, gloomy yet punishing journey you are about to take. There is also a glimpse of something lighter with a brief jazz interlude, showing the band have more than a few surprises up their sleeve.
Immuration is a black choral track with moments of pure brutality, dragging you kicking and screaming into the pits of despair. Depressingly lovely! Third up, Malevolent Creativity continues the journey to hell, with some beautiful Symphonic Metal operatic style vocals offering some hope of redemption before the storm clouds gather once more.
Ars Moriendi opens with a deep and heavy bass to accompany the very brutal vocals, before once again we are treated to another short passage of jazz as the walls close in once more. Deeply disturbing song, Resilience has one foot in complete madness as you stare completely into the abyss and all hope feels lost. This is totally twisted and yet lovely at the same time.
Cauchemort is a slower and more traditional song with a fabulous orchestral arrangement. The vocals are still brutal to begin with, but slightly softened by the backing track. This is a heady cocktail of Black, Gothic, Doom and Symphonic Metal at its very best.
Reveries Obsessives would make a great opening soundtrack for any future Gothic Horror film as it delivers a short standout instrumental respite to what has been a full-on, gut-wrenching journey so far. A funeral march style opening to Paracusia throws us straight back into the blackness as a thoroughly haunting and spooktacular undercurrent flows throughout this gloriously gloomy offering. My favourite track by a very slow and solemn walk.
The string opening to Inadaptation uses the instruments wonderfully to bring a feeling of sadness and sorrow into the fold with a blend of keyboards, acoustic guitars adding something a little different to this track by removing some of the anger and bitterness. Burst in Flames follows on with a much more sombre song. The vocals are more operatic in style to begin, without losing the occasional venture back to the brutal side as the track progresses, before closing out to crystal clear vocals and a solitary piano.
Perfect curtain closer Resignation leaves you in no doubt that you are trapped in this cruel and harsh world and there really is no way out. It’s a scary proposition and thought-provoking idea, so best you get used to it! We are all doomed!
Maladaptive Daydreaming is certainly not for the feint hearted as it exudes all the darkness, pain and sorrow from deep within the human soul. Sanguine Glacialis have created a beautifully dark and gothic composition that fans of Black Metal and Death Metal genres will love to flail their minds and ears with. If you like your Metal on the very dark side, then Maladaptive Daydreaming by Sanguine Glacialis is just what your poor tortured soul is screaming out for, so check it out!
(3.5 / 5)
