The soundtrack to Steampunk?
This is the second 'Steampunk' release I've reviewed recently and this one goes more for the industrial, orchestral rock approach; dark and brooding and bringing to mind Danny Elfman soundtracks (the doomier ones like Batman Returns). The addition of a dark crooned vocal line takes it more into theatrical goth territory (the male vocals really sound like Danny Elfman's vocal addition to the The Nightmare Before Christmas Jack Skellington character) while the female vocals spiral upwards in traditional goth-rock style, think Nightwish.
Like my other experiences in Steampunk music Carnival Symposium doesn't for me hit that sweet spot of conjuring up what it means to me as a fan of the genre. Although it's closer in some respects - the addition of background noises, the actual sounds of machines working and pumping out steam may seem like an obvious conceit but it does actually work towards the atmosphere. While the industrial angle helps I'm not sure the goth-rock is the way to go but this is what Spiky are about, and as well as Elfman and Hanz Zimmer they also give Marilyn Manson as a an inspiration reference point.
More of a soundtrack to a film that doesn't exist than a rock album, the record does the job of conjuring up a particular atmosphere, (warm yet epic) and there are some really nice moments like The First Cog Lament which is reminiscent of Vangelis representation of Blade Runner's future-noir cyberpunk (although now we're splitting genres). This record has been created in partnership with the French Steampunk Community and boasts some pretty decent production behind it making it a nice smooth listen, whether it's your idea of the genre or not, it is worth checking out if your a fan of the idea and look as it does sometimes work quite well.