Blax – 'Meravilia': Combining gothic and industrial
Blax make a powerful debut with 'Meravilia', their first full-length record, which contains elements of gothic and industrial sound.
By Dimitris (Bari) Polyzois
"Meravilia" by Blax is a debut that manages not only to make a temporary impression, but to build an audience that will wait for every next release. Blax Blax are riding the wave of resurgence in gothic culture and gothic sound, presenting their own take on it.
With a mysterious atmosphere!
The album opens with the powerful "Rules of Meravilia", which creates a mysterious atmosphere with its combined gothic and cabaret approach. The ideas develop over a hard rock foundation that underpins the whole record. In a slightly different tone, the album continues with "Our Brain Conditions", staying in gothic territory. Here, the addition of more industrial elements is a bit reminiscent of Marilyn Manson.
"Shady Life" stands out for its stunning melodies and its dynamic blend of gothic and hard rock elements, which make it extremely catchy while wrapped in a dark, musical vitality. "Raining Words", in a similar mood, gives us a danceable yet clearly gothic track that grabs your interest thanks to its more classic sonic roots. On the other hand, "Eva's Eden" brings in heavier, industrial influences, adding a different shade to the band's sound.
Outstanding, and the one that really stood out for me - there have to be some weak points, right? - is "The Queen of My Heroine", with its dry, punk sound intertwining with gothic melodic lines, creating a track that's dark, gritty, and surprisingly uplifting. "My White Widow" is also a distinctive idea, with '70s rock influences seeping into the record's sound, Blax giving us one more surprise as the album closes.
With "Meravilia", Blax show that they're not afraid to explore new musical paths and experiment with different genres.
The result is a record that breathes freshness and innovation and stands as proof of the band's talent. Overall, "Meravilia" is an excellent debut album that showcases the variety and dynamism of Blax. With polished production and praiseworthy compositions, this record deserves a place in the collection of every gothic rock fan and beyond.
