Review: Bobaflex – Eloquent Demons
Artist: Bobaflex
Album: Eloquent Demons
Rating: 9.5/10
Sometimes, to truly make your music come alive, you must embody the spirits that you’ve possessed it with. It is with this mindset that Bobaflex set out to create their 8th studio album, Eloquent Demons (released August 25th through Thermal Entertainment). You might find yourself thinking “well… that makes no sense! Demons aren’t eloquent!” Well, so the stories tell us but what if the humans have it wrong? Is it so far-fetched to think that these creatures that we fear, are intelligent, well-to-do and sharply-dressed beings? That isn’t the most bizarre part… no. That comes with the fact that the band decided to introduce the material on this album with an incredible cover of “Hey You,” originally by Pink Floyd.
What does this have to do with a band that ventures so far into the alternative metal category? Well, it’s the dark and daunting atmosphere that they create with this cover that sets the scene. After all, they’re about to drag you into the bowels of hell, where the demons that you’ll meet seek to conquer the world above… think of this cover as the hand of the Devil, himself, reaching out to you… tempting you with your every desire. Vocally, it doesn’t stray too far from the original until around the end, where the band’s vocalist gets a little louder and a little rowdier. Indeed, this may have even been a great way to kick the album off, as a whole… but it gets better.
Deep in the pits of hell, a crowd of demons, lost souls and spirits gathers for a celebration. No ordinary celebration, the head demon addresses them with a boom in his voice, and a sense of pride. He speaks of the many hardships that they’ve endured to finally come to the point where they take over the world above them. One of their own has worked his way through the political ranks and into the white house… victory is all but a certainty. If you haven’t guessed, we’re looking at a conceptual album that speaks of the fall of humanity and the rise of a new era, where demons rome free and any opposition is crushed, swiftly.
Explosive from beginning to end, this album has a lot to offer a casual listener but even more to those who return for more than one offering. As one of few bands out there with three vocalists, you’ll find a lot of harmony, diversity and unique touch to the voices on this album. Three times the guitarists, means three times the fun in the way of riff-work, as well. “Lights Out,” for example has much to offer in the way of guitar solos. If you’re looking for something a bit more rhythmic and groove-laden, “Real Sadness” will hit home with you. This is also one of the few tracks on the album that features a bit more of a melodic approach to the vocals (the other being “Off With Your Head”). Rest assured, there are parts where the beasts are unleashed… but this track, itself, has a bit more of a haunting feel to it. That clean guitar part about mid-way through, though, is to die for. “Off With Your Head” has a good, ballad-like acoustic underlying to it and speaks to the many ways that society is heading for a meltdown. The solution is simple… let heads roll! “Reckless” ends the album on a harsher note, vocally and makes for one hell of a closer. When you put it in place on the album, it almost feels like the soundtrack to a big budget, demon-slaying movie. The only difference is that there’s no one who can slay these demons, and their blood thirst is unquenchable.
If you’ve been a fan of Bobaflex to this point, you’ll know that they’re unapologetic, musically and lyrically. Their brand of high-octane rock is something that leaves you sweaty, out of breath and begging for more. It is also something that seems to be missing from a lot of music today, for fear of being alienated from the radio or a fanbase. These Eloquent Demons can be found at the links below, with a taste of their carnage, as well. Accept defeat, Bobaflex is here to claim their thrones… and they’re not going down without a fight!
Purchase Eloquent Demons (Available via all DSPs or physical copies can be purchased here)
