Diablo Swing Orchestra – Pandora’s Box (2012)

The craziest band in Metal, Diablo Swing Orchestra, finally returns three years after their last album with “Pandora’s Box”, a true Pandora’s box of a release since you don’t really know what you are getting yourself into until you ‘open’ this release. Continuing with their chaotic brand of Avant-garde Metal with a splash of operatic elements, this release sets them further apart from the competition with 11 of the craziest songs we have ever listened to.

Opening with the playful “Voodoo Mon Amour”, DSO is headed for another round of typical festive music, however, the band quickly expands on their sound by adding more authentic elements with the incorporation of both Daniel Hedin and Martin Isaksson, on trombone and trumpet respectively. With these additions, the band now hits seven full-time members, rivaling only Therion and Haggard, for the title of bands with most members. Regardless of the size of the band, DSO now feels a bit more complete with a richer sound, similar to the Leningrad Cowboys and their super rich sound.

“Guerrilla Laments”, and “Kevlar Sweethearts” deliver the usual fireworks when it comes to crazy melodies, super catchy ‘danceable’ sections and the excellent vocals of Annlouice Loegdlund. These songs have a very efficient balance of powerful guitar riffs and excellent use of the trumpet and trombone, creating very intoxicating rhythms that nobody else can do.  After a brief instrumental, “Black Box Messiah” delivers a very hectic and fun pace, accompanied by some crazy vocal sections that will make you scratch your head.

Midway through the release, “Exist Strategy of a Wrecking Ball” has some very engaging clean male vocals that reminded us of more mainstream singers due to their dramatic vibe. The instrumentation in this track is outstanding with the cello constantly shining. The Operatic “Aurora” feels a bit out of place, but in the bigger scheme of things, we have to say that it does fit the band’s crazy ideas and interestingly written songs.

The experimental “Mass Rapture” features some catchy sections that have an Oriental vibe to them. This vibe sounds a bit like stuff we have heard from Orphaned Land, making us wonder what direction is DSO attempting to take by creating a hybrid of them and Orphaned Land. Our favorite track is the melodramatic “Honey Trap Aftermath” that transported us in time to the swing (not swinger) clubs of back in the day. The mostly instrumental closer “Justice for Saint Mary” is a powerful and effective closing to such a diverse and rich release.

Love them or hate them, DSO is here to stay with their chaotic brand of music. “Pandora’s Box” just shows more maturity from the band’s side into crafting very diverse songs, but always keeping the overall party sense intact. If you liked the band’s previous releases, you will surely enjoy how this one since all the elements that have made the band infamous are back, but with a higher level of clarity and effectiveness.

Release: May 22nd, 2012

Country: Sweden