Erotic Secrets of Pompeii (or ESOP as they are often referred to) have released an anthology of songs both absurd and thought provoking. It is quite brilliant but hides it's cacophonous genius behind a barage of even louder imagery. Mondo Maleficum (its latin for I Am The Evil One - I googled it) comes in at around 37 minutes and it's a trip!

It is often said if you can feel pain you're alive and if something seems crazy then you are probably of sound mind. Using that criteria this album has confirmed my sanity. It's The Rocky Horror Show if produced by the makers of The Magic Roundabout, or Queen with a sense of humour - not so much Bohemian Rhapsody, more like Bristolian Raspberry.

Musically it sits in the 'alternative rock' category which is certainly vague enough for this original and unique sound, I prefer renaissance sci-fi rock myself. Seldom do bands arrive at their debut long player sounding like themselves, usually they are a mishmash of musical influences, not so ESOP. Every element of the sound is perfection, the drumming stands out on a couple of tracks, the beautiful smooth bass sound occasionally sliding into a Fleetwood Mac/ Floyd vibe, guitar work any metalhead would delight with and then there's the synth flourishes ready to fill a need for more weirdness, it's all there. But despite all these proficient musicians, the vocal and lyric content stand proud. Delivered in a Brandon Flowers meets Tim Curry baritone it's a voice that demands attention. Overall the effect is mesmeric and thrilling. Being at the same time dangerous, intellectually stimulating and mischievously purile, I imagine if you gave a group of prepubescent virtuosos magic mushrooms for lunch, this would be supper.

With a debut as fun, exciting and engaging as this I can't wait for the second installment of ESOP's fables.

Buy the album HERE

Review by Rich Dunn