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MEKONG DELTA
In A Mirror Darkly

Steamhammer (2014)
Rating: 7.5/10

The strange and wondrous sound of Mekong Delta is one that has fried my brain for many years now. I was a disciple from year one; 1987 in fact, when the self-titled opus fell from the sky and left me scratching my head as to who these shadowy figures were. The music has always befuddled the mind, rarely jarring but always intricate to the point of madness – combing complex thrash structures with progressive rock flexibility.

In A Mirror Darkly is the 11th full-length composition from these guys, Mekong Delta evolving over the years. In spite of only containing one original member (bassist Ralph “Ralf” Hubert), they have always been a peculiar force to be reckoned with. Some bands can progress beyond their original line-up; these Germans have shown through many incredible records that as long as the heart still beats within and the imagination stirs, then in whatever form they take they will always keep the flame alive.

When a band is this unusual and talented, there appears to be no limit to sound or formation, and it will come as no surprise that In A Mirror Darkly is another kaleidoscopic masterpiece from one of metal’s most prolific yet underrated acts. Hubert is joined by vocalist Martin LeMar, drummer Alex Landenburg and the guitar duo Erik Adam H. Grösch and Benedikt Zimniak.

In A Mirror Darkly boasts seven tracks of reasonable length, and on the whole is far more rewarding than the 2012 effort Intersections. After a brief intro of trickling chords which have classical strains, with ‘Ouverture’ we’re transported into the realm of what Mekong Delta deal with best; intricate arrangements, complex melody and cavorting rhythms born from tight, precise guitar swirls, tip-toeing drums, and a bass that meanders of its own accord.

Always mystical and shadowy, Mekong Delta have always transported us into the nether regions of music, and with this whopping great instrumental we’re back through the portal again. One moment there’s a thrashing chug, the next a Voivod-esque mechanic jolt and grate, and then with a climax of galloping traditional metal we can only marvel at the gifts this quintet has bestowed upon us. And the showers of sophistication continue to pelt us.

‘The Armageddon Machine’ judders with its sturdy bass as LeMar’s vocals drift between the myriad of melodies, and the percussion stutters and flits effortlessly. It’s power metal combined with progressive rock, LeMar spearheading this unusual fusion of jazzed up involvedness and advanced density.

Arguably an acquired taste for some, Mekong Delta have never rested on their laurels, at once creating a web of intrigue which continues with ‘The Silver In God’s Eye’. It begins as a gothic echo of mere drum thud, and LeMar’s ashen strains. It certainly lacks the energy one became accustomed to with those early records, but it’s another prime example of the outer limits which the band has the ability to caress. In fact, it takes two-and-a-half minutes before the track adopts a metallic edge and in spite of its lumbering pace, it’s the usual segmentation of progressive rock and inventive metal. ‘The Silver In God’s Eye’ is not the strongest track on the platter, however – in fact, far from it, as ‘Janus’ comes shuddering on through with convulsions of percussion and mystical, whispering vocal.

Mekong Delta is about as extraterrestrial as heavy metal gets. They have always been laced with metal pomp but are keener to indulge in those self-indulgent divisions, hinting at Rush and more remote passages of Voivod-cum-Queensrÿche experimentation and ice. As songwriting prowess goes, Mekong Delta are always going to be leaps and bounds ahead. While it may take more than a few spins to grab hold of these tracks, such cosmic episodes have become almost predictable fare from these quizzical masters.

Never a duff track in sight, ‘Mutant Messiah’ refuses to settle in spite of its traditional metal heartbeat, which is spiked by the contrasting framework designed by alien architects.

While I knew this was going to be another liberal composition, I do still yearn for those early albums where the band rocked far harder and with pace, but Mekong Delta is a band that has advanced beyond so many styles, although for such a skilled bunch I expected a far better album cover. But, that aside, In A Mirror Darkly is a good slice of broad-minded metal, and yet it’s still one that lacks overall vocal punch and could have been tougher with its instrumentation. But hey, the 80s are a distant gleam for this bunch that have traversed through many galaxies to the extent of metamorphosing into a completely different beast for each release.

Neil Arnold

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