Next stop Mexico…
Thanks to my blog, I am making a virtual global journey. I’ve been introduced to alternative bands and music of the world. Over the last few months, as well as bands from the UK, Canada and the US, I been sent music from various parts of the world including Turkey’s Tunay Akendiz and Istanbul’s “Reptilians from Andromeda”.
This time it is off to Mexico and Cruz De Navajas (Cross of Knives) whose new album “Dominacion” is available now. The band are new to me but you may already be familiar with some of the tracks on the album from the bands Demo from the end of 2016 and the single “Imperialismo” from July 2017.(available from bandcamp).
DominaciÓn
The album is an intense collection of earnest classic goth tunes. This compliments the impassioned seriousness of the subject matter and vocal delivery of the songs.
The band borrow their sound heavily from the definitive era of 1980s goth. The Sisters of Mercy-esque basslines and said bands Doktor Avalanche drum sounds are a huge reference point but with an ardent female vocal replacing the deep resonance of Andrew Eldritch
Unfortunately, as I don’t speak Spanish, I don’t have any personal appreciation of the lyrics and focus of the songs. The bands press release though does give some insight. “Lyrically, Cruz De Navajas tackles the difficult issues of femicide and the forced disappearances of the citizens of its home country, Mexico”.
Serious songs
Taking time to translate some of the 8 song titles confirms the seriousness of the band and the messages they are conveying. These fit perfectly with the sombre nature of the music.
Depuracion (Purification), Esclavas (Slave), Ciudad 40 (City 40), La Personas son Bestias (People are Beasts), Imperialismo (Imperialism), Parasitos (Atmospherics), Suna, SPK
The guitar on Imperialismo and bass lines on Parasitos could have come from Disintegration era Cure. While the guitar sound on the latter is very First and Last and Always period Sisters of Mercy.
Passionate vocals delivered with an inflection lead me to draw inevitable comparisons to Siouxsie from the Banshees goth era.
Despite not being able to understand the lyrics, I listened all the way through the album several times. Perhaps due to the perceived familiarity of the music with the comparisons mentioned, I thoroughly enjoyed listening. I would recommend to anyone who has a leaning towards 80’s enigmatic goth music.
More about Cruz De Navajas
The album is available now from the bands Bandcamp site. The band is also on Facebook.