Release Date: Nov 5, 2021
Discs: 1
Diablo Swing Orchestra is a Swedish eight-piece ensemble known for pairing elements of jazz, swing, classical, progressive rock with just about everything in between. Since the start in 2003 the band has released four studio albums pushing musical boundaries with humor, creativity and a healthy dose of positive aggression. Their debut “The Butcher’s Ballroom” was a breath of fresh air when it came out in 2006 and received quite a buzz which has grown with each new release. The bands fifth effort titled "Swagger & Stroll Down the Rabbit Hole" is by far their most ambitious undertaking and which pays tribute to all four previous releases but also add some new colors to their already broad pallet of sounds. DSO once again teamed up with producer Roberto Laghi (In Flames, Hardcore Superstars) who has become somewhat of the ninth member of the orchestra.
Together they have dug deep into each genre explored on the 13 tracks on the album and worked hard to find the appealing characteristics within that genre and forged it into their own sound. This approach has resulted in a impressive list of guest musicians and some very interesting clashes between sounds which, at least on paper, shouldn’t work. But listeners with an open mind will be rewarded since there are a lot of goodies to be found on the album ranging from the tribal assault that is “War Painted Valentine” to the Zeppelin gospel infused “Snake Oil Baptism”. The band presents new interesting ways of looking upon rock and metal music while managing to stay quite accessible in spite of the fact they’re often described as avant-garde metal.
1: Sightseeing In The Apocalypse
2: War Painted Valentine
3: Celebremos Lo Inevitable
4: Speed Dating An Arsonist
5: Jig Of The Century
6: The Sound Of An Unconditional Surrender
7: Malign Monologues
8: Out Came The Hummingbirds
9: Snake Oil Baptism
10: Les Invulnerables
11: Saluting The Reckoning
12: The Prima Donna Gauntlet
13: Overture To A Ceasefire
