CD Private Self Release on Malicious / Distribution Echozone
Stockholm, Sweden.
Goth Rock/Dark Rock
Rating 85/100
‘Les Fleurs Du Mal’ are a Swedish duo comprising brothers Axel & August Grim who base their musical output on ‘Les Fleurs du mal’ the 1857 volume of poems by ‘Charles Baudelaire’. Such creative writing, which today is regarded as a masterclass of French literature. But back in the day, it was thought to be scandalous for its portrayals of sexual deviation, corruption, greed and oppression. Here on ‘Concrete Ravings’ the ‘Grim’ brothers have ingeniously transcribed the basic messages or ideas from the original ‘Baudelaire prose capturing the horror and melancholy of contemporary life into a ‘Dark Rock musical framework. Despite the oppressive nature of the subject matter, the resultant music is delivered in a highly melodic fashion with a generally fast tempo. Non-stop clear-cut drumming that drives the music ever forward is adorned with cavorting layers of guitar and keyboards that suddenly burst to the forefront of the proceedings between the various vocal sections. The rhythmic nature of the arrangements provide the perfect tempo for any of the slick-footed audience members to dance, prance, sway and jig away
After submitting my original text and, in a subsequent exchange of SMS texts with Axel, I was surprised to learn that, rather than the vocals duties being equally shared by both of the ‘Brothers Grim,’ the vocals are in fact provided solely by Axel. Such vocal renderings are delivered absolutely flawlessly with much dramatism and panache, especially in terms of pitch and intonation. The confusion, on my part, was due to the fact the vocals seemed to follow a kind of ‘call-and-response pattern’ giving the impression of two separate voices. However, it is Axel’s deeply resonant tones that blend seamlessly with the instrumental backing. In this respect, he cleverly and systematically alternates the lyrics to exhort a selection of doom-laden and quite hair-raising messages of misery and despair. Despite the lyrics of desolation, the resultant sound is tight and extremely well executed. A superb album indeed to check out and is still available.
Tracklist
- 01. A Remorseful Day
- 02. Idolatry: In Vain
- 03. Concrete Ravings
- 04. Nothing
- 05. Strigoi System (Uncompromised)
- 06. Celebrity Gala
- 07. Idolatry: In Pain
- 08. The Storm
- 09. Stink
- 10. The Knife In My Back (Issue 2)
- 11. Substanceless Abuse
Apparently in 2013 Axel Grim and August Grim when performing live were joined by Jörgen Oscarsson (bass) and Erik Lazaroff (guitar)
My SMS Text exchange with Axel, referred to above, he kindly provided me to the following:-Interesting items 1) A video from our latest gig: It was a small covid safe gig
2) And here’s our cover of the Handsome Family true detective theme song:
Write to Axel Grim
