CalatrilloZ: 'Psalms of Zahyin' out on 22 June 2015
Album release: "Mutiny on the Bounty" by CalatrilloZ
Release date: 22 June 2015
Listen / more information on: CalatrilloZ website
Formed in 2009, CalatrilloZ are a progressive symphonic rock/metal quintet hailing from London. Fresh out of a serious of successful UK shows, the operatic five piece are now ready to release their debut album ‘Palms of Zahyin’.
CalatrilloZ embrace a concept of theatrical personas stating that the band are “a circus troupe of wanderers”, complete with elaborate costumes, make-up, and incredibly detailed individual backstories. The lead vocalist of the group going under the name of Zahyin, says “Through Zahyin, through his universe, my compositions are free: Jazz, Metal, Classical, and Opera they all means nothing; there is no compromise...The only limitations I have are the ones I impose upon myself. None.” This is what is to be taken away from the concept. It is not simply a fantasy world created so that CalatrilloZ can masquerade in their detailed and well imagined story, it is also a gateway to musical freedom.
‘Palms of Zahyin’ brings together vast symphonic instrumentation, which sits somewhere between power metal and the glory days of NWOBHM, together with a classically infused vocal style its best described as a neo-classical metal opera. The lead track ‘I Am Alive’ calls to mind the sounds of artists such as Faith No More, Alice Cooper and at times you can even hear flourishes that are redolent of Mesmerize era S.O.A.D. Patton-esque vocal melodies augmented with uplifting instrumentation bring the track to its pinnacle before the guitars and drums bring the whole conformation back around again for another bout. ‘I Am Alive’ is somewhat of a nostalgia trip and a welcome journey back to classic rock and metal bands from the 1970’s and 80’s merged with pristine modern production and charmingly histrionic conceptual song writing.
The album as whole is as diverse as it is consummate. Tracks such as ‘A Glimpse At A Fools Destiny’ give way to the bands more extravagant side with Tim Burton-esque melodramatic and operatic vocals, and a more diverse instrumental accompaniment. Whereas ‘Z The Psychopath’ (named after the vocalists character Zahyin) displays the bands technical proficiency merging fastidious and melodic guitar tapping with an uninhibited vocal style which culminates in a prodigious and methodically orchestrated climax.
At a time where modern metal releases are becoming increasingly abrasive and discordant, CalatrilloZ bring something back to the table; flair. Whilst dramatic story telling and thespian performance is something that is still championed by power-metal bands such as Sabaton, Hammerfall and Powerwolf, the style remains a niche within the contemporary metal world, but the careful composition and deftness in which CalatrilloZ combine the copious elements that make up ‘Palms of Zahyin’ means that it will appeal to a much wider audience beneath the surface.
CalatrilloZ is:
Zahyin – Vocals
- Vargovar - Guitar
- Azriel - Guitar
- Mobius – Bass
- Jimmy Sticks - Drums
Concept Back Story
“From a broken past, a cursed present and a burning future, CalatrilloZ endlessly journey across the pages of an ever-shifting history.
Wanderers gathered from the darkened fringes of time, they disguise their anachronistic appearances in the identity of a circus troupe, performing wherever they briefly rest in their ceaseless search. While the illusion effectively shrouds their true nature, it is also an apt parallel to their existence: the lives of circus people are an eternal odyssey; they have no home but the road, no allies but each other, and no masters but themselves. Perpetual outsiders wherever they travel, their presence is a fleeting experience but a lasting memory.
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.
A storm of chaos is gathering upon the temporal horizon. Puppets are made to be commanded, and should the marionettes find themselves without a master, the demonic forces trapped within them will once again be awakened.”