Symphonic Glam Death Metal Mouthful

Every band needs a gimmick. I get it. The Brits have usually been on the cutting edge of what’s new in music but there is a new band coming out of London that I’m afraid is a little behind the curve. The best way to describe CalatrilloZ is that it is a highly theatrical Goth or death metal band. I guess they could be described as a symphonic metal band if that is your cup of tea. In all honesty, I have never been a big fan of the genre and wouldn’t know the subtle difference between Goth metal, Glam metal and thrash metal music. What I do know is that CalatrilloZ has found a gimmick and I would imagine their live shows are truly an event. The band dresses up in all manners of theatrical stage makeup a la Kiss and their press goes something like this: “Led by a madman haunted by the sins of his past, they are a ramshackle assortment of lost souls bound by their search for redemption, isolation and guilt forever driving them forwards. Scouring the four corners of the Earth for five marionettes, in each of which is imprisoned a powerful demon lord, their hunt takes them to realms where few can travel and return sane.”

Right. Did I mention gimmick? Not being a fan of the genre as I said before, I would imagine that with no less than 50 subgenres of heavy metal music, a new band on the scene has got to have an impressive hook to make themselves noticed in that world. Either that or fantastic music. Let’s stick with the gimmick. CalatrilloZ’s music, I am sorry to report is nothing to get too excited about. It’s not bad, but it is not anything that will distinguish themselves from a hundred other heavy metal bands. The music is fast and loud with plenty of trilled guitar parts and a rhythm section strong enough to make my grandma bang her head against the wall but as I have said, nothing new or earth shattering here.  

I do have to hand it to the five members of the band though for conceptualizing their persona to such a degree and for living in those characters night after night. I like to imagine what their lives as regular people is like or if “regular” is even an operative word at this point. Kudos for the imagination and execution even if the music is a little of a disappointment.

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