SATURDAY MORNING DOUBLE FEATURE: WEIRD OPERA

We're all opera fans here, correct? Of course we are.
Here are two opera-themed albums from completely opposite ends of the spectrum.


ALAS - ABSOLUTE PURITY (2001)


Another side project from Morbid Angel/Hate Eternal/Ripping Corpse's Erik Rutan, featuring vocals by a chick who used to be in Therion. Certain parts of the album bring to mind cornier acts like Nightwish or Lacuna Coil, but when the soaring, falsetto vocals kick in, alongside Rutan's catchy, inspired riffing, Alas leaves such acts in the dust. I've always been a fan of Rutan's style, but Alas is a bit of a departure for him. His playing seems more sprawling and well thought-out, unhurried by blast beats or Trey Azagthoth's soloing (not that there's anything wrong with that). Add in a solid rhythm section and some truly epic operatic vocals, and you've got one heck of a weird metal album.

Download HERE
Purchase HERE




KLAUS NOMI - SELF-TITLED (1981)



Here's what Wikipedia has to say about Klaus Nomi:

"Klaus Sperber (January 24, 1944 - August 6, 1983), better known as Klaus Nomi, was a German countertenor noted for his wide vocal range and an unusual, otherworldly stage persona.
Nomi was known for his bizarrely theatrical live performances, heavy make-up, unusual costumes, and a highly stylized signature hairdo which flaunted a receding hairline. His songs were equally unusual, ranging from synthesizer-laden interpretations of classical music opera to covers of 1960s pop standards like Chubby Checker's "The Twist" and Lou Christie's "Lightnin' Strikes". He is perhaps best remembered by the general public as being one of David Bowie's backing singers during a 1979 performance on Saturday Night Live.[1]
Nomi was one of the first celebrities to contract AIDS. He died in 1983 at the age of 39 as a result of complications from the disease."

This is the first of only three albums he released before his death.

Download HERE
Purchase HERE

"Lightning Strikes":



Trailer for The Nomi Song, a documentary film about his life. It's really not as bad as the trailer makes it seem: