Any band that can use the word maladaptive has my attention.
Hailing from Montreal, Quebec, Sanguine Glacialis is set to unleash their 3rd album Maladaptive Daydreaming on August 18th and the album embarks on a mind-bending journey that is a blend of mentality that exudes Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Drawing inspiration from the real condition of excessive daydreaming interfering with daily life, maladaptive daydreaming becomes an alluring escape amidst life’s struggles.
And like the real life condition, the album, Maladaptive Daydreaming allows one to escape through music if only for a brief period from the world around them.
What I enjoy is the sheer chaos Sanguine Glacialis has created within each track. They have woven a tapestry of genres that include metal, classical, jazz, world music, and more. The chaotic sound is thrilling, adventurous, and captivating, allowing Sanguine Glacialis to be undefinable.
Also captivating is lead vocalist Maude Théberge. Her soprano and banshee-like vocals are beautifully chilling. How she manages to be both a powerhouse vocalist and skilled keyboard player at the same time is beyond me. Accompanying Maude is bassist Marc Gervais, guitarists Jonathan Fontaine and Alexandre Lépine, and drummer Jérémy Racine with each attributing to the vocals as needed while brutally slaying each note played.
The album opens with “Welcome” which tempts the listener into an imaginary world where things are not well.
Everyone who experienced lockdown during the pandemic can easily relate to “Immuration” which looks at the aftermath of being stuck inside for too long and how the emotions of hatred and depression build up.
“Malevolent Creativity” explores creating not out of passion or need but out of darkness while “Resilience” brings hope when all seems lost. The track has a wonderfully light hearted beginning that slips into harsh vocals and a heavier beat. The way Sanguine Glacialis is able to balance the intricacies of the light and dark of the song reminds me of the scene in the Willy Wonka movies where they sail down the tunnel of sheer terror. Only the brave survive.
The bass in “Ars Moriendi” combined with Maude’s vocals and the music is chaotic, frenetic, and downright stimulating to the senses. The song swirls, dips, and dives like a shore being pummelled by waves, rain, hail, and fire at once.
“Cauchemort” stands as a breathtaking proof to the sheer musicality and extraordinary talent of the band. This standout track begins with haunting strings and a melancholic piano melody, setting the stage for Maude’s emotive performance. With soul-stirring anguish, she delves fearlessly into the depths of pain and suicide. The song is a mesmerising fusion of her powerful harsh vocals and clean vocals and the connection between Maude’s vocals and the music draws one into the visceral spellbinding masterpiece.
Like “Cauchermort”, “Paracusia” is an aural experience that explores how the voices in one’s head can turn against them and listening to the song feels as if one can hear their mind going mad. Sanguine Glacialis wonderfully portrays this madness and chaos throughout the song through brilliant use of Maude’s voice, instrumentation, and sound.
By journeying through the looking glass, Maladaptive Daydreaming is a sonic masterpiece that explores the darkest corners of our minds.
MUST LISTEN TRACKS: “Cauchemort”, “Malevolent Creativity”, “Resilience”, “Ars Moriendi”, “Paracusia”
FAVOUR TRACKS: “Ars Moriendi”, “Cauchemort”, “Paracusia”
