Rock Planet

REQUIEM AETERNAM (URU)
PHILOSOPHER (ICorp)
Reviewed by Filip on Sunday 23 January 2005.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ever noticed two members from Opeth don’t really look Scandinavian? Both Martín López and Martín Mendez come from Uruguay – South America. Back in 1995 they were still living in Montevideo and played in this Requiem Aeternam band. That’s Latin for something like “eternal rest” or “eternally dying”. Though the main man behind this band is vocalist/guitarist José Romero. He recorded “Philosopher” in New York – USA with Maciej Kupiszewski on bass and Alex Hernández (Immolation) on drums!

With all those big names in Requiem Aeternam past and present line up I can guarantee you an easy description of the band’s music is out of question. Requiem Aeternam just doesn’t fit any label and it’s very tough to compare it with other bands – though some remarkable influences are noticeable. But I can fully 100% say I’m holding an innovating masterpiece in my hands. All songs on this record balance perfectly between furious anger and melancholic beauty. “Rectitude” blasts immediately to blend over in more melodic parts with progressive song structures. Half passed the song Requiem Aeternam’s calm side exposes. Musically and especially vocally the more moody parts sounds like System Of A Down. For as far it could be “moody”. I can understand a lot of people will not like José’s vocals. Let’s say his screams have something hysterical from Macabre and something else from Kataklysm (Sylvain Houde). “Liberty” starts very tranquil and José sings with a great Spanish accent! The man has also written a book entitled “Escritos Prohibidos” (Spanish for “Forbidden Writings”) dealing with topics of philosophy, economy and politics. All songs on “Philosopher” are based on essays, books and excerpts from Rousseau, Nietzche, Tzu and some more. The fourth song “Logos” is my favourite. The acoustic part and the black metal riff after just scream for more. In some way some parts make me think of Opeth. More beauty rises in the song “Philosopher” itself. Anyway, you see, it’s hard to find anything bad on Requiem Aeternam’s second album. Everything is top notch. And for me this is an album to remember for the year lists of 2005. It would rate this album 98 out of 100 points!

I can’t believe they’re not on a big European label, because Requiem Aeternam has got it all. Let’s hope this will happen, so it will be easier for all of us to get our hands on this magnificent “Philosopher”. And still I’m screaming…

nedavno sam naleteo na ovaj bend...teshko ga je svrsati bilo gde...
ljudi su iz Urugvaja....jel slushao neko?
ako je bila tema,lock...

imam original CD
lud bend, nema sta, puno dobrih ideja, prelijepih melodija (pogotov onaj dio kad preko solaze recitira nesto na spanskom) al malo potesko za svarit, definitivno nije za svaki dan al zna sjest i to pravo, vokal mi se za divno cudo nekako svidja iako je lud do daske... malo blaza verzija bethlehemovog ludaka...
inace, za bend sam se poceo interesovati jer je bas na philosopher albumu sviro alex hernandez (ex-immolation), legenda kojem u ime malog tributea posvecujem svoje mjesto za avatar... iako njegovo sviranje na ovom albumu nije ni blizu tako uvrnuto ko na immo radovima, vise onako tehnicka kultura s blagim twistovima here and there...
ev jedan fin intervju snjim, hehe
http://www.hiddenthrone.info/issue6/alex.htm

...ja sam za bend pocheo da se interesujem zbog OPETH...
...odmah su mi zazvuchali,ludo,prejebeno...znam da ce mnogima zasmetati shto cu ovo reci ali imaju neku system of a down zhicu sa ovim pauzama i ludachkim vokalom...me like it!

It has been ten years now that the band has existed and they are only on their second release. To make a long story short here. the band started out as a four piece which included at the time Martin Lopez and Martin Mendez who are both in OPETH. After recording their debut CD in their homeland of South America (Uruguay to be more precise as a “homeland”… - Alex), lead vocalist/guitarist Jose Romero decided to move the band to America. To be more precise: New York City.



After several line up changes and demos, RA is a three piece that has recruited Alex Hernandez (ex-IMMOLATION) on drums and Maciej on bass. The compositions are nothing less that intriguing as they mix the likes of OPETH, SYSTEM OF A DOWN, Black Metal, and technical Metal. It's more than a mouthful for sure, but it will keep you awake from beginning to end. "Rectitude" has hard driving riffs that get along nicely with the fast paced drumming of Alex. You will notice that the guitar work has that Peter Lindgren/Mike Akerfeldt feel, especially when the acoustics come into play. As far as the vocals go, Jose goes from tortured Black Metal screams/shrieks to bizarrely clean in that SOAD way. There's plenty of technical mastery being performed by everyone and the end result is pretty damn impressive.



The one thing that you will notice is that there is plenty of melodies in each of the songs, but once heard you will appreciate the grace and beauty in which they are performed. They help balance out the mayhem. What is really cool about this album is that every song is based on a philosopher: Nietzsche and the like. So, if you want intelligent metal, then you have found it. Each track is crafted with plenty of care and love and it shows every time. I only hope that this dynamic and rich three piece can continue to make many more albums as thoughtful as this one. This isn't a home run. This is a grand slam! (Online May 4, 2005)