Kandar - Síla
Imaginace (2023)
By Flork
KANDAR's latest offering Síla Imaginace is a whirlwind of sonic experimentation and intensity. With a lineup that boasts members from various notable underground bands like Pigsty, Hadí Mord, Forgotten Silence, Choked by Own Vomits, and Slať, it‘s no surprise that this album pushes musical boundaries. Despite searching for a label, their fourth release since 2016 will not disappoint fans of both surrealistic film and grindcore.
The album, released in October 2023, delivers a half-hour of ten tracks, all with Czech lyrics inspired by the unconventional artistry of Czech filmmaker, Jan Švankmajer. The band‘s ability to infuse grindcore with diverse underground influences makes for an exhilarating listening experience, especially with its fusion of themes from Švankmajer’s work. The entire album is, in fact, a homage to Švankmajer’s films, who is, by the way, alive and well at 89 years-old. Each song title on Síla Imaginace is either named after one of his films or is a modified title dedicated, e.g., Něco z Alenky.
The title track Síla Imaginace (The Strength of Imagination) sets the tone with its relentless energy and aggressive vocals from Topi. Each song is a journey into the surreal and often disturbing realms of Švankmajer's work. Otrantský zámek (Castle of Otranto) and Hmyz (Insects) maintain the frenetic pace, while Don Šajn (Don Juan) showcases the band‘s penchant for shifting rhythms and tempos. Spiklenci slasti (Conspirators of Delight) and Zahrada (The Garden) offer moments of eerie beauty amidst the chaos, demonstrating KANDAR‘s versatility. Zahrada is especially interesting with its strange monologues both at the beginning and end of the track, likely taken from the movie itself (I never did see this one). The haunting Alenka and the thunderous Faust are particular highlights, with intricate guitar work by Kubýk and a relentless rhythm section led by Denis on drums and Dáda on bass. All of the songs are sung in Czech, so listeners from abroad will not likely relate to the dedication each song has in relation to the film it is sung about, but they will still appreciate the sincerity of how the songs are sung,as the vocals are trully amazing.
Síla Imaginace is an album that demands attention and is worthy of repeated listens. It‘s a fearless exploration of the boundaries of grindcore, infused with a dark and imaginative lyrical narrative. The band‘s ability to seamlessly blend brutality with artistry makes this album a must-listen for fans of experimental and extreme music. As the album is set to be released in various formats, including CD and cassette, it‘s a testament to KANDAR‘s dedication to underground music. If you‘re looking for an album that challenges your musical sensibilities and takes you on a surreal journey, Síla Imaginace is for sure a formidable choice.
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