Reviews to our 1. Album »Spirit soldiers«

Reviews

Eternity Magazine (5 of 6 Points)   Zillo Magazine (This magazine does not grade)   Rock Hard Magazin (8 of 10 Points)   The Metal Observer Webzine (8 of 10 Points)

Megalith never were an easy-listening-band, neither musically nor concerning the lyrics. But on this debut-CD they obviously invested a lot of work to present themselves more transparently and accessibly than ever before. While their demos were dominated by their very own version of heavy Doom Metal and Thrash Metal, this output is more mellow. It goes more into the direction of traditional Heavy Metal with German and English lyrics, a deep voice, lots of atmosphere and some classical elements. But what separates Megalith very clearly from the masses is their genuine and challenging lyrical concept. Already on their second demo »The Law of Life« (2001) this concept was carried through very convincingly, but on this debut CD it is brought to perfection: a gripping mix of poetry, social criticism and provoking statements, although these statements are not as »politically incorrect« as the Megaliths want us to believe. 16 songs (including 4 translated versions and an intro) demand quite a lot of the listener, for example in »Der Krieg« (English title: »War«), based on a poem by Georg Heym. War is one of the major topics on this album, especially the offensive wars begun by the Americans in the new century. In this context, the americanisation of this planet (carefully referred to as »globalisation« here in Germany) is also dealt with. »Wenn die Haifische Menschen wären…« (English title »If sharks were men…«) is based on a short story by Berthold Brecht, while »Martyrium« is concerned with Michael Collins, an Irish freedom fighter who founded the IRA and was murdered in the 1920s. With the lyrics to »Rede des toten Christus« (English title »Speech of the late Jesus Christ«) including Nietzsche’s famous »God is Dead«-Slogan, Megalith also pay homage to the current trends in the Metal scene. But in contrary to the 7438 Black Metal Groups, who speak of nothing else but this topic, Megalith’s version is characterised lyrically and musically by an intensive feeling of sadness and melancholy, of loss and regret. Maybe also a faint longing for a return that would put an end to chaos? Of course, this piece is as well inspired by one of the great classics, in this case Jean Paul, the great German poet with the French pseudonym. There is a lot more to be discovered, especially if you take the time to read the really comprehensive booklet (28 pages) including all lyrics aswell as explanations, quotes etc. With »Spirit Soldiers / Soldaten des Geistes« the band has released an excellent debut, and if against all odds quality still should bear some relation to commercial success, then this should sell like hot cakes. What was the motto of their record company? Music with identity? I couldn’t have phrased it more accurately…
J.G. / 5 of 6 points

Black Metal and Hermann Hesse’s »Der Steppenwolf« – an antagonism that was overcome by Megalith on their first Demo »Der Steppenwolf«. On their Debut-CD they now show that Black-Metal-Roots can very well lead into higher, more intellectual spheres. This album convinces in many ways. The carefully layouted, 28-page Booklet is already a vehement pro for the purchase of this CD. In addition to the lyrics you will find quotes by famous intellectuals that always bear a relation to the lyrics. These lyrics are presented in German and English, and they are sung in many different ways: You will find growls, clean vocals, metal-shouting reminding of Lacrimosa’s »Copycat«, narrative passages and film-samples. Megalith prove their comprehensive cultural knowledge. They deal with topics like religion (»Rede des toten Christus« / »Speech of the late Jesus Christ«), politics (»Der Herdenlenker« / »The Cowboy« – a cool Anti-Bush-Song) and of course literature (for example, one song is inspired by Berthold Brecht). These thoughtful lyrics are presented in various different styles, ranging from classical themes and Neue Deutsche Härte (Rammstein-Style) to ballads and atmospheric passages. All in all, the album features 16 convincing songs with 70 minutes playing time. You will find the purchase of this CD a worthwhile investment!
F.R.

Hyperion (Ex-Agathodaimon) and his new Band MEGALITH prove on their debut that gothic metal must not go along with boring music and wanna-be intellectualism. He and his colleagues present an all-including package of hypnotic melodies, groovy passages, deep thoughts and provoking statements. It takes many times of listening to the CD and reading the booklet until you have taken everything in. With »Spendenaufruf« (English title: »Call for Donations«) Megalith have written a politically very daring song, but still the irony of a left-wing-fascism should reveal itself without the additional explanation in the booklet (by the way: an impressive 28-page booklet including a bibliography and a collection of quotes).
Before I forget: Agathodaimon-member Vlad Dracul also has a guest-appearance on »Spirit Soldiers / Soldaten des Geistes«, but I’d rather describe that as a promotional gag. Apart from that, my congratulations to this strong debut!
Robert Pöpperl-Berenda, 8 of 10 points

Phew, rarely a song title had been as programmatic as in the case of MEGALITH's »Spirit Soldiers/Soldaten des Geists«: »Politically Incorrect«. The German sextet puts a good portion of politics into their work and delivers this not only in pretty critical (mostly German) lyrics, but packs it all into partly very provocative and exaggerated lyrics, which one could definitely understand the wrong way.
But first to the music. The foundation still is Black Metal, but anno 2003 MEGALITH are a lot more variable, with influences from Gothic, Doom, Death and a few other elements, which results in a very interesting and variable epos. It fits into no category and always surprises with new elements without ever tearing the compositions apart by forced variety. Very calm passages almost seamlessly turn into up tempo and an atmosphere gets shattered by a harsh voice breaking through.
Packed into a very powerful and clear production, which's origin the booklet unfortunately does not reveal, MEGALITH bring us very distinct, but still complex, yet never complicated compositions on »Spirit Soldiers/Soldaten des Geists«, which adjust their intensity according to the lyrics. So »Rede des toten Christus« (»Speech Of The Dead Christ«) starts out very melodic and doomy, with clear vocals, just to rise in heaviness afterwards, while »In Deckung!« (»Take Cover!«) begins with falling bombs and accordingly shows a heftier side afterwards, but always keeping enough melodies (also by intelligently using the keyboards) to cover a wide spectrum and convey the various moods.
The compositions mostly are mid- to slow-paced and emanate a remarkable intensity, which is more or less a trademark for the whole album. Even in harsh passages the vocals mostly stay understandable (if you understand German that is), which is another bonus for the message. And the fact that they always have enough melodies in store should also help them to win a few friends of less extreme sounds.
But now to an extremely important part of this album, the lyrics. As mentioned before, the lyrics show a lot of social criticism (and in that way they are also political) and because of the exaggeration Megalith even saw the need to print a disclaimer for one song (»Spendenaufruf« / »Call For Donations«) saying that this song is ironic, so they do know how the lyrics could be (mis)interpreted. That they do not fall into dumb agitation, which people usually fear or even expect with German bands that sing partly in German, already is shown in the literary influences, which are quoted in and around the lyrics, names like Georg Heym, Berthold Brecht, Jean Paul and Edmond Rostand, plus some quite pointed quotes of philosophic and literary greats such as Albert Einstein, Jean Paul Sartre or Oskar Wilde. »Der Herdenlenker« (»Leader Of The Flock«), btw, has been inspired by a certain George W. Bush...
For sure some people will have quite some problems with the lyrical direction of »Spirit Soldiers/Soldaten des Geists«, and that is really not surprising, but one should read deeper and realize that they are not following a certain political direction or trying to break the ground for it. Instead they are addressing existing problems with quite some thought and maybe through the exaggeration they are making people think, too.
Altogether we have musically as lyrically a very interesting album, which for sure will cause some controversies. But Megalith should win, if you look closely. Best thing is to see for yourself… One thing is for sure, »Spirit Soldiers/Soldaten des Geists« won't go under unnoticed!!! (Online September 2, 2003)