Key Tracks: “Over and Over,” “Possession,” “There is Nowhere”

“The first inspiration for what I write about comes from the guitars. I just listen to the riffs and the basic sketch of the song and think about what kind of mood it’s projecting,” Christine Davis said during an interview with Meat Mead Metal. “From there I attach whatever is going on with me mentally at the time. So it’s very much elements of the guitar players’ subconscious psyche and my conscious psyche.”

Love that quote. Just thought I'd share. It was surprising, once discovered, that Christine Davis is a lead vocalist because of the metal that I’ve passively listened to before the vocalists were men. Well, maybe more are women and I assumed they were men as I did with Davis.

Anyway, Christian Mistress’ sophomore effort, Possession, is quite surprising as well, to say the least.

“Over and Over” is a fun song. The opening guitar licks are giving a command: Jump. Uncontrollably. The track seems to be imitating an album intro because of its length and energy. It does a good job of setting the mood for the rest of the album.

Everyone needs a deep track that makes you think. “There is Nowhere” is that track. The lyrics evoke thoughtfulness. Yet, those thoughts are in danger of over-analysis because of the many artists who skirt the line between truly thoughtful, creative thought and depressing, nonsensical talk in the guise of abstract thought, e.g. The Weeknd’s “Wicked Games.” Though it is hard to determine which best describes that song, the ears are having a good time while the brain is trying to figure it out.

The title track, “Possession,” is a winner. The opening vocals bring to mind choral chanting that is found in horror movies about possession (e.g. "The Omen," "Children of the Corn"). And horror movies are clearly the best kind of movies. It is indeed hypnotizing. Kudos.

Overall, this effort from Christian Mistress is enjoyable. The album could use a bit more variety in energy and melody throughout the album. After all, variety is the spice of life.