Released on: 9th October 2023
The decades of symphonic metal, as popularised by Metallica and their S&M album back in the late 90’s, seems to have found a conclusion in Praise the Iconoclast. The new album from Swedish artists Morlocks.
The sophomore album with its mix of theatrical novelty and bombastic fanfare sells a colourful dystopia that would serve as a perfect backdrop to Pondsmiths’ Cyberpunk adventures. It is, unfortunately, not a LARP soundtrack but a deconstruction of western culture in general; write about what you know, right? Praise the Iconoclast blurs the line between politicised art and concept album.
Setting the social commentary and political inspirations aside Praise the Iconoclast is a solid rave throughout that relies heavily on film score like hooks. Where, following the trend of modern metal trying to be taken seriously, goes for the bigger, bolder and better than all that has gone before philosophy. And, of which it achieves– effortlessly, it seems.
The tunes themselves are wonderful, the beat has vigor and the lyrics are thought provoking. However, Praise the Iconoclast is a victim of the time and the age of (dis)information. Where its dedication to diversity becomes overwhelming. As the violent timbre of the synths rise and fall with digital arpeggios like sirens in the dead of night. Moreover the blending of genres creates a modular structure more than a mechanical devise.
Praise the Iconoclast is a strong and powerful album that has more technique than feeling. Essentially, it is a modern art house record. Which is neither good nor bad; it is vibrant in its duration and all in all a fun time.
8/10
