Katevase Tous (Bring Them Down)

The new Mavri Magioneza (Black Mayonnaise) album took 2 years to be completed. It’s rather simple; if you have an album such as “Kalh Orexh” in your luggage, then the stakes are really high. In addition, you have this cyclone of musical influences spinning around that rock core, the depth of which cannot be found in any hasty release.

The influences spread in a spectrum reaching from hip-hop, electronic and drum ‘n’ bass to hardcore, fusion, blues and …zeibekiko (traditional Greek music!). All this frame the bone-breaking political lyrics who speak of “forbidden” subjects, that everybody talks about but most artists seem to ignore.

It hits you the moment you get rid of the case’s plastic wrapper and try to open it. How does this thing open anyway? You’ll have to find it out for yourself. Two drawers will come out of nowhere to offer you the CD, the lyrics’ booklet and the full album cover that you couldn’t see before.

You’ve made it! Now it’s time to hit the CD player. You are about to ask yourself if this is the right CD, because the opening drum’ n’ bass loops does not remind you of rock at all. Then the guitars, the drums, the bass and the synths will start kicking you. After that it’s on the lyrics. Alternating with prose, the band members use banter impersonating next door people. The first track of the album is about useless daily routines born from deficient education and commercial-oriented technology. It is about living in a cold URBAN CAVE.

Now the second track begins. Who said that political lyrics aren’t cool in our days? On classical hip-hop forms married with jazz-blues guitars, the lyrics “sting” from verse to chorus, until the latter (although saying BRING THEM DOWN) will get you out of that chair! In this song, about 20 fans are participating in backing vocals (!), answering the band’s call from their official website.

DOGMA takes its turn, although starting with a “cute” (and insidiously creepy) children’s’ choir, it starts hammering you down with lyrics inspired from the modern sociopolitical landscape. Dept Crisis, illegal immigrants, political corruption and its journalists go in Mavri Magioneza’s blender to stir a cocktail of how easily (some) people can be manipulated.

Before you manage to get a hold of yourself, the intro of PUBLIC SERVANT is on. Megaton guitar riffs and drum kicks in your stomach, in a song speaking of conformity and the strictly planned life, in exchange for a fake (but so desired by many) “security”.
Then things will seem to calm down. At least that will be your initial thoughts with the glockenspiel opening the FAIRY TALE track. But before you complete that thought: “shock and awe”. Unbelievable power, rooting in hardcore music but arranged on a 7/8 bar! Just about when you thought you had it, the most erratic contrast happens: the song turns into a beautiful ballad on one of Andreas’ poems (singer, guitar player and composer of the band) about how modern people fall in love and live in general.

From the 7/8 bar, you are entering the 9/8 bar of the “zeibekiko” music form in the only cover song of the CD. The well-known “Vre magka to maxairi sou / Koutsavaki” rembetiko song by Anestis Delias transforms into SERIF YOUR PISTOL. The track contains audio samples recorded from television, regarding the murder of Alex Grigoropoulos in December, 2008 which triggered the greek riots of that era. Panos Violistis of the band “Loudias” contributes in additional vocals.

The surprises keep coming with the DIALOGUE track. This narrative song describes the flirting of two people in the subway. The poetic lyrics and the incredible orchestration consisting of acoustic guitars, loops and musical “electricity” complete the picture of a song in the borderline of progressive rock.
Halfway through the CD, you are reaching the beautiful THINGS track with its wonderful guitar melody and the lyrics which make you smile, when you think about what you are humming along with that pure, yet with a touch of mocking, chorus: “Things that matter in life are not …things” (!)
In the CD version, the bonus track WHEEL follows. It’s another political song but without the (obvious) aggressive attitude. Just ska influences and a horn section frame its black humor, bone-breaking lyrics.

Mavri Magioneza seems to have no boundaries regarding the feel of their songs. I’m referring to the PRAYER track, which comes next, trying to describe the infusion of “kanonaki” (traditional byzantine instrument), hip-hop loops and lyrics “that bite” regarding the behavior and practices of a portion of clergy. On top of that, a lovely melodic solo of guitar feedback (!) fills its artistic landscape.
Let’s try the RAIN track, the ballad of this CD. What’s happening? Is it a waltz in a ¾ bar? Is this a classical string orchestra recorded live? The incredible orchestration and the eerie melodies will take more than one auditions for you to fully enjoy them, but you will acknowledge the feeling they emerge from the first time. The lyrics will speak of man’s loneliness in the big cities, while the robust baselines of Kostas (bass player of the band) will underline the importance of each word and each sound nuance in the piece.

The JUST THINK ABOUT IT track is in the same relaxed spirit, a bit more up tempo though. It revolves around a text of an unknown internet writer, speaking of the childhood of today’s 30 and 40 something people. Its images will teleport you in time and maybe, make you see yourself and the younger ones under a different perspective.

The CD version will end with HOPE: huge guitars, dark melodies and impressive music changes, around an old Russian saying. The result is a piece of dark atmosphere emitting optimism and fighting spirit, where nobody expected them. Consequently, it shows indirectly why they are so important.

And so, this is BRING THEM DOWN. The album that the (sworn) fans of Mavri Magioneza and contemporary meaningful rock music awaited for more than two years: a collection of 13 unbelievably loud and elaborate songs, made by one of the older greek rock bands still active (and certainly one of the most authentic). Mavri Magioneza has never failed its fans or its music and this is proved in every little detail of this album. It’s a great release with attitude, personality and clear views. Exactly what today’ s “commercial” rock scene fails to deliver…

Buy now the CD or download the songs in mp3 format and wake up into Mavri Magioneza's world! The one you are alreadin in...!

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IMPORTAND:
Lyrics translated in English can be found here:
http://www.mavri-magioneza.com/en/lyrics/downloadit
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Enjoy…