The Veils
Nux Vomica

THE REVIEW

Don't be deceived. If I'm reviewing this (semi-unknown) album by this group (still and unfortunately semi-unknown), it's certainly not because we are facing a masterpiece. It doesn't even have a revolutionary scope or anything unusual. So what does this album have? Beauty. Beauty to spare. And power, lots of it. Exactly the same beauty and power as the voice of Finn Andrews, the group's frontman, a perfect blend between Tom Waits and Thom Yorke (just imagine that...). Our man, after a scintillating debut album ("The Runaway Found"), finds himself alone, forced to rebuild the group from scratch. But as we know, it's from the most difficult situations that the most amazing things arise... 

Sure, as I said, it's not a flawless work. There are many empty passages, compensated, however, by at least 4 memorable tracks. But let's proceed in order.

It opens with "Not Yet", a sustained ride accompanied by acoustic guitar, piano, and voice. An excellent opener, which grows through stops and starts until it explodes. But beware, here comes "Calliope!", a sweet pop ballad with a honeyed flavor that gets into your head and doesn’t leave, thanks to a sparkling chorus and an appealing melodic line. We catch our breath with "Advice For Young Mothers To Be", a track that doesn't have much to say. But don't despair, because "Jesus For The Jugular" is coming: a terrifying march that creates an quite chilling atmosphere, with Finn Andrews in great shape. As if that weren’t enough, around the corner is "Pan" (one of those famous 4 memorable tracks...), built on an aggressive piano like never before and a very syncopated drum. The voice, well, it goes without saying... Moreover, note a finale where Finn seriously risks his vocal cords. A triumph.

Halfway through the album. It continues with "A Birthday Present". A tinkling, a music box that accompanies us throughout the piece. A filler song, without many pretensions. The same goes for the following "Under The Folding Branches", a piano and voice episode that relaxes the atmosphere before the descent into hell. We are talking about the title track, in my opinion the most beautiful piece of the album and the entire group’s production. "Nux Vomica" is pure malice. Raw, direct, fierce, it messes up your hair and doesn't ask for permission. The ending, as usual, is epic. I couldn’t even begin to describe it. Listen and you will understand. But it doesn't end there... There is still "One Night On Earth" that demands attention, with its wonderful guitar arpeggio and its atmosphere full of light and shadows (it really feels like being immersed in the night of an unknown planet similar to Earth). It closes with "House Where We All Live", underpinned by an acoustic guitar, organ counterpoints, and Andrews' extraordinary (as usual) and poignant voice.

Pure spontaneity. It hits you at first listen. It can be addicting.