Rome - Nera

Talk about an addictive album!  There have been certain days that I've listened to this album over and over and over cause I can't get enough of it.  While CMI labels this as martial apocalyptic-pop, all I know is this album is hypnotic and tranquilizing and one that just numbs you all over by the time you finish listening.  This album has supposedly been one of great anticipation for fans that have heard their past work, and all I can say after this first introduction to Rome is that I must say that the anticipation was warranted.  This album is dark, haunting, emotional, and calming, and yet it has a sometimes up-tempo side that gives it a stimulating and intriguing feel.  The band also delves into industrial and neo-folk at times, which does nothing but add to this album's greatness.  And while the music is breathtaking with it's delicate piano, soft guitars, and eerie samples, the key to this band is their enchanting vocals.  In a half sung, half spoken style, Jerome Reuter graces us with quite a performance.  Add to that some occasional captivating female vocals and you can't go wrong.

To top things off, packaging is very nice with debossed digipak and production is superb.  This is one excellent release from start to finish!

Rating: 95/100

Review By: Matt Morrow

Label: Cold Meat Industry

Total Songs: 12

Total Time: 44:32

Tracklisting: 1. Der Zeitstrum, 2. A Burden of Flowers, 3. Reversion, 4. A La Faveur De La Nuit, 5. Das Unbedingte, 6. Rape Blossoms, 7. Beasts of Prey, 8. The Blade Unmasked, 9. Hope Dies Painless, 10. Nera, 11. Birds of Prey, 12. Les Hirondelles

Best Songs:  Tracks 4, 9, 10, & 11

Band Lineup: Jerome Reuter

Band Website: ???