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Grotestique

    
       
       
       
     
             
GROTESTIQUE are a symphonic metal band based in Canada created in 2024 by Aura Kurai (vocals, bass) together with Anna Drakmag (vocals, guitars) and Azazel (vocals, guitars) - the band line-up completed by Xavier (keyboards) and Xenia (drums). The bands self titled debut album was released in 2024.    
             
The band incorporate AI (artificial intelligence) technologies into their production process, leveraging its capabilities to enhance their creative output. By integrating AI for tasks such as sound synthesis, pattern recognition and even editing assistance, GROTESTIQUE achieve a unique blend of human artistry and technological innovation. Rather than replacing traditional methods, AI serves as a complementary tool, offering new avenues for experimentation and efficiency. This embrace of AI reflects the bands forward thinking approach to music-making, embracing technology as a means to expand their sonic palette while staying true to their organic roots. Every song on offer across the albums one hour run time are written with no AI intervention, but performed utilising both live performances and AI.    
             
So now we know how the album's been created - how does 'Grotestique' actually sound? Well, it's a mix of symphonic power and melodic metal fuelled by a swagger oozing with elegance - every song on the album floating up high with eagles and angels! 'Grotestique' features soaring female vocals, "foot on the monitor" fast and mid paced metal majesty, lighters in the air ballads and an off the charts infectious level - everything a symphonic power metaller could ever wish for! The album opens with the sultry symphonic metal swagger 'Unholy Thrill', a highly atmospheric and tension filled atmosphere oozing outta the song - think those Hollywood blockbusters that open with sweeping scenes of deserts and oceans, the dramatic cinematography taking viewers breaths away! Well 'Unholy Thrill', could easily be the accompanying musical score, GROTESTIQUE creating one hell of an epic aura.    
             
'Torment Of Pain' storms in and gallops forth ala traditional heavy metal - the heavier attitude here an emphatic change from the albums opening gambit. The heads of listeners everywhere will be turned in the direction of the symphonic metallers, the band pounding the ground hard to deliver a heavy hitting sonic assault to wake up every head banger around the world! And with the album now up and running fully, the momentum is kept rolling with the just as heavy hitting 'Symphony Of Terror', the bands power metal roots shining through brighter than the midday sun. An air of mellow serenity envelopes the album in the shape of the hymn-like balladry of 'Poetic Chaos', the levels of elegance and majesty shooting right through the bloody roof! And since the album began, the addiction level has had a stronger magnetic pull than neodymium magnets - recognised as the strongest magnets in the world!    
             
The energy level too, since 'Grotestique' began has been sky high, the band striding on with majestic grace courtesy of 'Family Crest', the stunning array of symphonic power metal dropping the jaws wide open of every listener, fan and follower everywhere - GROTESTIQUE maintaining their emphatic entrance onto the world metal stage with the fast paced 'Cosmic Despair'. By far and away the fastest song heard so far, the band continue their multi-vocal attack, the vocalists complementing each other perfectly. The bands self titled song (and I guess title song) 'Grotestique' is a more traditional power metaller than every other song heard so far, the band still retaining their immense symphonic metal edge. The pace and power here is a perfect match to the classic sound and feel of European power metal - and bear in mind the band are from Canada...    
             
...not a million miles away I know, but it shows just how far reaching European metal inspiration can get - the album accelerating hard with the blistering 'Chrome Dome', the speed disappearing after just twenty or seconds to be replaced by a mighty mid tempo thunderstorm! Yet among all the thunder, fire and brimstone, 'Chrome Dome' remains a symphonic power metal song, the bands root influences still shining brightly. And entering the fray with all the swagger of a hymn come ballad, 'Escape Room' is actually too hard hitting to reside fully in balladry, GROTESTIQUE roaming all over metal territory to offer a very wide array of styles - symphonic metal being their home comfort. The band once more set off at a blistering pace, 'Fade Away' scorching the earth as it races outta the blocks, dropping a couple of gears after just twenty seconds to settle into a mid tempo mid paced ground shuddering march. However, all out pace does make a return with a vengeance across the chorus break.    
             
The band have kept their foot to the floor since the album began, the level of intensity holding listeners attentions tightly and never letting go, 'Twisted Fate' a bold, bombastic barrage of melodic metal with probably the least symphonic metal influence of any song on offer. And let's be honest right here, there's hardly been any time to catch a breath the albums been so non-stop, so it's with a little thank you to the band that 'Forbidden Delicacy' opens with the slowest stroll heard on 'Grotestique' (the album) - that is until the one minute mark when all fucking hell breaks loose! The ground is shuddering, buildings shaking and walls crumbling under the sheer weight oozing from 'Forbidden Delicacy' - GROTESTIQUE bringing just a small amount of thrash metal aggression into their all conquering symphonic power metal soundscape. 'Shattered Heart' returns balladry to the fore, listeners everywhere swaying from side to side in rhythmic harmony - 'Shattered Heart' featuring the most soaring, soulful and angelic vocal performance on 'Grotestique' (the album).    
             
'Eternal Hunger' sees, or rather hears the emphatic thunder stomp make an entrance, the band delivering the punch of a heavyweight boxing champion to every listener, knocking them flat on the floor! The penultimate song on offer, is a live version of 'Forbidden Delicacy', showcasing the bands aptitude in a live arena - the pace compared to the original quickening just a little bit! And I realise for many musicians (and listeners too), the use of AI technology won't agree with you, and that's fine, I'm not here to persuade you to use it (or listen to it) - that's entirely your choice. I'm just here to enjoy the music on offer, music which has been very engaging, infectious and more-ish! GROTESTIQUE bring their debut album to a close with an alternative version of 'Torment Of Pain' - a longer version featuring the power driven melodic power metal swagger of bands such as Battle Beast and Metalite.    
             
Overall, a non stop rollercoaster of symphonic power metal that'll keep you hooked right from the start 'til the very last second.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for GROTESTIQUE    
             
             
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