Review: miRthkon - Snack(s) (2013)

Artist: miRthkon
Album: Snack(s)
Year: 2013
Label: AltrOck Productions

Review: Diego Camargo

Rate: 

Thoughts: This time I’ll start this review in a bit different way, I’ll start talking about the booklet of the new miRthkon album, Snack(s) (2013). Why? - you would ask. Simply because it’s such a unique idea where each page has a kind of sweets (like Mars, Twix, etc) that represents the songs as in a catalogue. Great idea that you’ll have to hold in your own hands to get the whole idea!

Now, coming back to the music, miRthkon is an American band that was formed in the late 90’s and that plays some really adventurous Avant Prog. The septet is formed by Wally Scharold (vocals, guitars, keyboards and percussion), Matt Guggemos (drums), Travis Andrews (guitars), Carolyn Walter (flutes, clarinet and saxophones), Jamison Smeltz (saxophones) and Matt Lebofsky (bass, vocals, keyboards and percussion).

Snack(s) (2013) was released by the Italian label AltrOck and they once again present us with a high quality album!
The whole idea behind Snack(s) (2013) is simple: be crazy! Yes, that’s pretty much it! But that’s exactly why bands like miRthkon are interesting, they go out of the ‘box’ of the conventional music but with good ideas and songs that were clearly worked through with a high amount of rehearsal. Not just some Jazz Fusion thing that doesn’t go anywhere!
The intro ‘QXP-13 Space Modulator’ (that is a re-recording from their second album) and the crazy lyrical idea for ‘Eat A Bag Of Dix’ prove my whole point!

While ‘Hapax Legomena’ is clearly  influenced by Weather Report, ‘Nocturne, Op.33’ is exactly what the name suggests, a classical piece with a modern approach to it!
‘The Cascades’ is the part of a heavier side of the band with great guitars and a very weird riff!
‘Snack(s) – The Song!’ has a great and strange rhythm followed by claps and some really nice vocals that fit the band’s sound. Very heavy too!

‘Osedax’ is calmer than the rest of the album and has the strangest lyrics ever about a female tubeworm!
Next two songs, ‘Mymaridae’ (also a re-recording from their second album) and ‘Variety Pack’ follow the same path of calmer pieces of ‘Osedax’ and they have some unusual chords sequences.
As the cherry on the cake that is Snack(s) (2013) we have something even more unusual, a version for Black Sabbath’s ‘Fairies Wear Boots’. As expected this is one of the weirdest versions ever, but also insanely good!

Snack(s) (2013) is a perfect album for those in search of a new and good Avant Prog record!
One more excellent (and challenging) delivery from AltrOck Productions!
Recommended!

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CD

MP3