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GOATEN
Midnight Conjuring

Cianeto Discos (2023)
Rating: 4.5/10

Since 2018, Brazilian band Goaten has been lurking in the shadows like some creeping spectre that has now unleashed its debut full-length album. Sporting a superb nostalgic slice of cover art, Midnight Conjuring bristles with a strange punky energy while being caressed by silky whispers of King Diamond and Ghost at times, with oddly, and more uncomfortably, a pop punk coating.

At times the record has somewhat of a lightweight feel in spite of its sinister nuances. Vocalist Francis Lima has a rather casual tone amidst the creaky riffs which slickly manoeuvre between the compact bass and drums. I’m of the opinion that Goaten are attempting some sort of mid-80s occult heavy metal vibe, but opener ‘Witches’ Serenade’ has more in common with a 70s UK punk groove.

The meatier aspects seem scant, or at least get lost in a rather Green Day pop punk vibe, with ‘Phantom Chaser’ being a perfect and rather disappointing example of how the band seems to enforce more of a punk kick. ‘Until I Come Again’ begins steely, but again there is that veer towards hooky melodies which are all too sugary and even contemporary.

Midnight Conjuring is a confused record that boasts titles like ‘The Thing At The Camp’, ‘Metal Blade’ and ‘Bells’, and yet rarely does the album even waft of heavy metal. To quote my wife saying “it’s crap” would be too harsh, but things are not what they seem here, so be warned if you are enticed by that album cover.

Neil Arnold

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