Genre/Influences: Neo-folk, industrial-pop, chanson.

Background/Info: Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio’s mastermind Tomas Petterson started to compose “Let’s Play” seven years ago. The Swedish musician has commented his work as ‘the final version of Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio. It‘s my cruel mistress. It’s my white whale.’ The album has been presented as the ultimate artistic work of the project, which appears to be a real challenge after the outstanding “[Vision Libertine] – The Hangman’s Triad” released in 2016. Notice by the way the album is available in different formats and limited edition.

Content: Earlier this year the EP “Ménage A Quatre” already give us an idea about this new opus. You rapidly will recognize Petterson’s grave and charismatic timbre of voice and the sonic twist between neo-folk, industrial-pop and certain chanson approach. Dark ballads and obscure, evasive passages are leading the listener into the mysterious and perverted universe of the Swedish artist. The songs are driven by melancholia while enlightened by carrying choruses. The songs are carried by slow rhythms while the arrangements are alternating orchestral- and delicate parts. 

+ + + : I can perfectly seize Petterson’s words about the ‘final version of Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio”. If his last album already was a true masterpiece, this album revealed a more refined and artistic approach. There’s no song to throw away; all songs feel like they belong to a higher dimension. It becomes a kind of sacred composition with a truly authentic feel. The songs have been accomplished by piano arrangements revealing delicacy, but other cuts are featuring orchestral/epic arrangements reinforcing the obscure side of the band. Some passages are pretty cinematic and even leading to a transcendental sensation. “This Is Life This Is War (Let’s Play And Make Believe)” is an outstanding exposure of this poignant sensation. I also have to mention the opening song “Forty Years After Null (There’s No Answer To The Riddle)” and the already familiar “Ménage À Trois – There Is Nothing To Regret”. I also have to say a last word about the brilliant singing performance of Petterson who once more inject a real spirit in the music.

– – – : I can’t imagine one single minus point about this work; this is a masterpiece!

Conclusion: Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio never stopped to fascinate me for its image and lyrical content, but it also became one of the most poignant and artistic formats of dark music. I can easily imagine it took years to accomplish this major work, which is without a shadow of doubt the best work ever composed by this artist. Respect!

Best songs: “This Is Life This Is War (Let’s Play And Make Believe)”, “Forty Years After Null (There’s No Answer To The Riddle6)”, “Ménage À Trois – There Is Nothing To Regret”, “There’s No Pride Love Is Dead (Kiss My Eyes And Crush My Head)”, “[Social Darwinist Contortion] Who Is Born To Rule The World?”.

Rate: (9½).

Artist: www.ordo–rosarius–equilibrio.net / www.facebook.com/ordorosariusequilibrio

Label: www.outofline.de  / www.facebook.com/outoflinelabel