Rome – Hegemonikon (Album – Trisol)
Genre/Influences: Dark-Folk, Chanson.
Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl.
Background/Info: The new album by Jérôme Reuter aka Rome was preceded by noticeable singles “No Second Troy” and “Solar Caesar”.
Content: After a somewhat Industrial sounding opening/intro cut “No Second Troy” is a solid track to move on. It features the most essential elements of Rome’s sound characterized by the artist’s deep, timbre of voice and great, carrying, guitar playing. Some of the songs have an extra, melodic and I even dare to affirm Pop-touch on top evoking Echo & The Bunnymen and even Depeche Mode. But you’ll also notice darker cuts accomplished with dark reverie and melancholia. The work also features a few intermezzos.
+ + + : I honestly had to listen several times to the new Rome album. Tracks like “No Second Troy”, “Hearts Mend”, “Solar Caesar” and “New Flags” are easy to bite but a few other cuts need more attention. You really have to take your time before catching the splendor of “Icarus Rex” and “Surely Ash” both being Dark-Ballads with a carrying chorus on the second track. Globally speaking I like the evolution of the new Rome towards a more accessible and ‘Pop’-work while holding on to the typical and essential Rome sound made of dreamy melancholia.
– – – : The very few breaks and/or intermezzos aren’t adding a bonus to this work.
Conclusion: Prolific but never totally repeating himself, Jérôme Reuter and his Rome sonic alter-ego are once more confirming the meaning of true talent and genius.
Best songs: “Solar Caesar”, “Hearts Mend”, “No Second Troy”, “New Flags”, “Surely Ash”, “Icarus Rex”.
Rate: 9.
Artist: www.romepage.org / www.facebook.com/romeproject
Label: www.trisol.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Trisol-Music-Group/104166526285471
About ROME
Jérôme Reuter, born on August 2, 1981, in Luxembourg, is the creative force behind the neofolk project ROME, formed in November 2005. Before founding ROME, Reuter was involved in various musical endeavors, including performing under the moniker Reggie Fain, influenced by Tom Waits, participating in the Oi! band the Skinflicks, and contributing to the post-punk outfit Mack Murphy and the Inmates.
ROME’s music is characterized by a fusion of military drumming, atmospheric electronic textures, and ethereal acoustic guitars, complemented by samples and poetic lyrics that often explore themes of war, love, pain, and death. Reuter draws inspiration from literary figures such as Jacques Brel, Léo Ferré, Albert Camus, Ernst Jünger, and Jean Genet. Released on Trisol, “Hegemonikon” is his latest full-length under the ROME name.
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