Musta Paraati ‘Black Parade’ Review: Finnish post-punkers release first album in 34 years.
One thing I’ve realizes as a music blogger is that no matter how many bands from a certain era you think you know, there’s always a “new” vintage gem to discover.
Such is the case with Musta Paraati , a post-punk/goth act who emerged during the early 80’s only to retreat into the shadows by decade’s end.
But they’ve emerged from hibernation with Black Parade,(out October 19th via Cleopatra Records). their first album in over three decades, and the release (the title of which is the English translation of their Finnish moniker) is a delightful slab of old-school goth and hard rock.
The band, now fronted by The 69 Eyes’ Jyrki ’69’ Linnankivi kick things off with Animosity, which manages to meld Goth with blues, with Linnankivi conjuring Instinct-era Iggy Pop.
Nacht der Untoten adds some Sisters of Mercy gloom with labyrinthine guitar and synth lines, while Aujourdhui offers some Billy Idol-esque crunch, augmented by horror show keyboards and soaring vocals, while The Race Is On is a New Wave banger.
In fact, Black Parade is at its best when it’s at its danciest, from the krautrock driven Today, to the disco drum propelled Radio, and the album’s best track, Chopsticks, a darkwave delight that boasts a spiralling, arpeggiated keyboard motif that provides the biggest earworm of the album.
The band ends on a metallic note with If I Die Tomorrow, which marries a NWOBHM riff with punk power chords and shimmering synths.
Black Parade is a total old-school goth blast, which manages to sound majestic and dark while also throwing in some classic rock riffs and larger than life lyrics for good measure. Let’s hope we don’t have to wait 34 years for their next release.
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