Exanimis – Marionnettiste (Orchestral Steam Punk Death Metal)

 

So I was thoroughly surprised by this one and now I have a deep-seated craving for orchestral death metal with steam punk stuff going on. Not black metal, I get a bit of that, like I want more bands to do this kind of thing but perhaps it’s just too hard for the provincials, or isn’t as “brootal” as they’d like. I don’t know, but the artwork was also somewhat deceptive, appearing power metal without the fantasy clichés, for all intents and purposes, and the band photos look something like an, ugh, alternative metal cover band that came thirty years too late. But like anything else that goes against the usual I decided to give them listen, and these guys proved themselves worthy of full coverage and goddamn is Marionnettiste fun as hell. It doesn’t seem like it would be, but it is, goddamn.

 
 

Exanimis appear to have been formed a mere year ago, or thereabouts, and there is little information on them. Only one member has any track record; otherwise they’re a mystery. Marionnettiste, which means “Puppeteer,” is an extremely well-crafted debut full-length. It’s difficult to explain in brief what treats are presented, suffice to say Exanimis is gifted with their utilization of symphonic presence among the usual death crush and, further, there is a clear Victorian-era steam punk theme with clock gears, sweeping pianos, ghostly choral echoes, and the like. I was hesitant, at first, for it appears gaudy, but in only a few moments the French prove, yet again, that when rooted in their natural inclination towards things of the epic, they can totally nail it. Strongly recommended you get into these clowns now before they hit a stride and you only pretend you knew of them prior.

 

Exanimis Official Facebook

Written by Stanley, Devourer of Souls

Exanimis – Marionnettiste
Klonosphere Records

Cover Art: Loïc Muzy
4.8 / 5