SARAH JEZEBEL DEVA - The Corruption Of Mercy

Sarah Jezebel Deva is certainly not an unknown voice in the world of metal. She has been around since making her debut with Cradle of Filth back in ’94 closely followed by playing parts in multiple other bands.

Releasing her first solo album, A Sign Of Sublime, early last year, was a huge step for her - and fans met the release with anticipation - so hearing that just over 16 months later she and the gang of musicians that form the five-piece are going to release yet another album, surely had me sitting on the edge of my seat!

Awesome as she is, she remembered well that Voltage Media had done a big interview with her in 2010, and Sarah was more than happy to send a copy of the upcoming album, The Corruption Of Mercy, over to me to have my dig at it.

And girls and boys… where do I start! After having heard one of the songs, ‘The World Won’t Hold Your Hand’ on their band page on Facebook a few days ago, I already noticed that there was a big step-up from the previous album. Not only do her vocals on this song sound so much more confident and in-your-face, but the way the string sections - not sure if sampled or actual strings were recorded - and guitar riffs are all combined, simply appear to be much better balanced than on the predecessor. Although it was the first song to be released over their Facebook page, in track listing it’s in second position.

And you know what? No other song could, or should, have taken the spot as opener for this new album than the chosen ‘No Paragon Of Virtue’. Even though the electronic beeps of the initial few seconds made me, at first, raise my eyebrow, the prompt follow of blast beats made my heart flutter in no time! Sarah’s dark voice almost sounds like a summoning and the bridge with higher notes and words, and yet again strings, is giving the whole thing an almost ghostly feel.

I couldn’t shake the mental image those sometimes taunting voices inspired of women standing behind someone’s shoulder, smirking and giving advice for the worse or better. The guitar solo in this song is a great example of how a musician can have a glorious moment of finesse without being overbearing.

Dan and Jamie Abela on guitar and drums seem to be so well oiled with Ablaz on bass that anyone would think that this five-piece has been together for years and years. And even though most of the album came from the creative minds of Dan and Sarah, their old friend Pzy-Clone [of The Kovenant] took over the massive task of programming with regard to orchestration on the record, with some solos and guitar riffs being created by Gian Pyres [Cradle of Filth]. Furthermore, Jonny Gray, who has now taken the spot as an additional guitarist, only joined the line-up after the writing and recording had already been finished.  

There is no domination of one or the other and everything just seems to fit perfectly as the songs continue on. In addition of the orchestral sections, which are always present throughout this album, Sarah Jezebel Deva has managed to draw a group of friends and colleagues, who not only know their instruments, but are more than able to work with each and not stop doing takes until they’ve reached the perfect harmonious result.

Being that most of the songs were built around a similar thematic, ‘A Matter Of Convenience’ struck me as out of the ordinary with its contemporary tale of the booty call, and how not all women are always ‘that’ psyched by it, but agree to it anyway due to its convenience, yet still wishing for it to be over shortly.  

The only thought of Sarah thinking of any guy and deeming […]I rather watch paint dry[…] when connecting intimacy with that person had me chuckle out various times! There is a little message in this song to which I have to raise a glass: the right amount of whiskey can pretty much make anything pleasant, even a bad lay.

If you don’t recognize song number five after the intro, no matter how much distorted the guitar section is compared to the original version, and guessing that the bass is tuned down as well, you will certainly be surprised once the lyrics start up and that all too familiar radio favourite from ’94 by the Irish band Cranberries comes back to mind. I have heard a couple of cover versions of‘ 'Zombie’, but this one sounds different to that of the others. As mentioned, guitars and probably bass as well, have most likely been tuned down or are at least an octave lower -semi-educated guess- but hell, thank you Sarah for not having nasal vocals! Very much enjoyed this one!

All in all, The Corruption Of Mercy pretty much went down more than well with me, and left an even better impression than the last album which I thought, at times, was more of a mixed bag than a flowing album. The guitar solos were at times intricate and fast flying, yet never over-the-top, but still manage to pull you in. I thought that the blast beats and pushing kicks on drums were absolutely amazing throughout the entire album and were a great foundation of the metal-rooted music I was looking for!

There was one song, however, which is still haunting me after all of this. Written by Luke Sibthorpe [vocalist of The Dead Lay Waiting], ‘Pretty With Effects’ with its filigree piano and softly sung lyrics is the only acoustic song on this album and may I say that this was a wise choice. No matter how somewhat carefree the notes float around and Sarah’s vocals projecting something easy going… the topic of this song is physical and mental abuse to an extent, hence it giving me the creeps.

I was running about when I listened to it the first time and thought “oh, this is different than the other stuff, nice little tune”, but when I got back to properly listen to it again and actually caught the lyrics, I was stunned. Amazing how this example can show you that no matter how nice and impeccable something seems to be, not all that shines is gold. Silent waters are deep, and clowns cry behind their masks.

I would have to say, out of the whole album, this has to be my favourite song, even though it might seem simple compared to all the other grand designed pieces, intense vocals on both ends of the spectrum. And maybe this song is the least likely to gather up a review for an album that certainly has its emphasis on metal, but to me, this out-of-character song sums it up perfectly: you do not to fit into any norms to stand out!

To Sarah, Jonny, Dan, Jamie and Ablaz: this album is going to overshadow its predecessor by miles and will have people go crazy! The only issue I have: who the hell is paying your tickets to come Down Under and perform this amazing material!?

And for all you lusting people: the song 'The World Won't Hold Your Hand' is up on the SJD Facebook page. 

Album: The Corruption Of Mercy

Release: 20th June 2011

Tracklist:

1. No Paragon Of Virtue
2. The World Won't Hold Your Hand
3. A Matter Of Convenience
4. Silence Please
5. Zombie
6. Pretty With Effects
7. What Lays Before You
8. Sirens
9. The Eyes That Lie
10. The Corruption Of Mercy

Visit: www.myspace.com/jezebeldeva