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aural cavity located on the sides of the head for insertion
of local music scene |
| Compass
Magazine ,
January, 2002 |
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Seraphim
- "The Soul that Never Dies"
By Karen
Brownbear Translated by Elliot Billings
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| Although
the name Seraphim may seem unfamiliar to the general public,
this band--which in July released their debut album "The Soul
that Never Dies" on the Magnum label--has long enjoyed a solid
reputation among groups in Taiwan that play original music.
And no wonder--in Seraphim, one finds a gathering of talent
seldom seen in rock music. Guitarist Kessier, once a member
of Assassin, is a professional recording engineer by day. During
his stint with Nice Vice, he got the chance to open for Bon
Jovi on the latter's trip to Taiwan in 1985. Later Nice Vice
regrouped as Firedance and were slotted as the opener for guitar
god Steve Vai. Bassist Jax, also a former member of Firedance,
has worked as the composer of music for television programs
and was once the guitar teacher of the well-known artist Makiyo.
Guitarist Dan is a former member of Shan Ling, Manum and Jack
Hammer, a group that, after taking first place in a national
battle of the bands, went on to Thailand to represent Taiwan
in further competitions. Drummer Simon also spent time in Assassin
and is a graduate of the famous California Musicians' Institute.
By day, he works as a drum instructor. Lead vocalist Pay was
a top student at the National Academy of Music where she majored
in voice, and has performed many times at the National Theatre.
She is currently in Germany furthering her studies. Seraphim's
sound is an unusual pairing of Pay's bird-like soprano with
Jax's deep and throaty vocals over a layer of European-style
melodic/speed metal to create a "dialogue between an angel and
the Devil" that is the album's main concept. The lyrics have
a classical grace that may not make for smooth reading but are
a special characteristic of this band. Songs range from the
impassioned metal of "Immortal Soul" and "Eternal Silence" to
the more lyrical and sentimental "Ode". Although it seems that
musical groups, as opposed to individual singers, are becoming
more accepted by the general public, Taiwanese rock bands have
not stylistically broken out of the Pop/Emo-rock mold. Acceptance
of good heavy metal groups like Seraphim and Assassin by mainstream
music circles has been slow in coming. Braver Taiwanese rock
fan, though, will find an alternative to the ordinary in Seraphim's
"The Soul that Never Dies". |
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