(unclassifiable)Fantômas - Delirium Córdia

[OrbDragon]

Okay...this is probably the hardest cd to possibly review...but I'll give it a shot, since the good responses in my previous reviews gave me a big confidence boost.

Delirium Cordia is the third full length release of Fantômas, Mike Pattons main project...the other members include Trevor Dunn of Mr Bungle, Buzz Osborne of The Melvins and Dave Lombardo of Slayer. The first self titled cd consisted of 30 tracks....very short experimental and intense...and basically could be interpretated as theme music for the Fantômas comic book (Fantômas was a french anti-hero in post-WWI graphic novels). The second cd was called "The Directors Cut", and consisted of re-aligned cover versions of famous movies themes like "The Godfather" and "Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer"

January 27th (Mike Pattons birthday) Delirium Cordia was released. The first notable thing is that this album consist of 1 track that spans nearly 75 minutes: Surgical Sound Specimens From The Museum Of Skin. The actual track is about 55 minutes long...the final 20 minutes or so are near silence...and not really worth it. The second notable thing is the packaging...which contains gruesome surgey pics, and these images were partly an inspiration for the music Mike Patton has written on this record.

This is a very experimental record, even more so than the previous two recordings...but it's one of the most amazing listens I've ever experienced. This 'music' sounds like a soundtrack of dreams and (mostly) nightmares a patient is having while doctors perform surgery before he eventually dies. The track has some musical parts, but also some 'noise' parts...and it works great as a whole...because it conveys images in your head, and it makes you think. The first 2 minutes are simply incredible...and they set the tone for the entire album. Despite the fact that this cd is very inaccessible...it's still not a boring cd in my opinion. The great thing about it that the music leaves alot open for your own imagination. It lures you in...and sucks you in like a vortex.

I'm not going to describe every little bit of the record...that would wreck the entire experience. But basically anything will come by: distorted guitar explosions, creepy piano melodies, strange electronic soundscapes, smooth basslines, eerie jazz interludes, howling winds, gruesome sound fx of surgery equipment, demonic screaming, low key beat-boxing, ethnic percussion, drum solo's...lots of stuff. But definately avoid this disc if you like conventional music. It's best recommended for patient listeners who like to be challenged by the music. It means this cd will not be everyones cup of tea. I personally think it's amazing. Unlike the previous two Fantômas records, this record is no gimmick...it's just plain sick. I can't stop listening to it.

Every band member has great moments in the cd...but the music comes first and individual highlights take a back seat. Mike Patton once again shows his versatility as a singer...but he made his mark on Delirium Cordia as a composer.

Rating: 5/5

[Kaden]

I've been wanting to get into Patton and Fantomas. Would you reccomend that I start with this or the self-titled album?

[Bartender]

Nice review...I needed a little more incentive to buy Delirium Cordia, as a single huge experimental track sounded even weirder than the first two albums. I like the first two albums anyway, and I might have ended up buying this too..but now I definitely will.

Your reviews are always great, OrbDragon, long may they continue.

[OrbDragon]

I've been wanting to get into Patton and Fantomas. Would you reccomend that I start with this or the self-titled album?

I'd start out with The Directors Cut...since it's the most accessible one. If you like that cd...you can basically pick your potion with the other two records.

[Blue Collar Tweeker]

I dont even know what to say about this album. While I do like it, its probably the strangest piece of music Ive ever heard.

[Mekkalayakay]

This Album is VERY experimental. I do not suggest any new Fantomas fans to get this album first.

I personally love this album. Freaky **** when your alone at night or driving at night. Pop that thing in and you keep looking behind you every few seconds.

there is no other word to describe this album but Masterpiece.

5/5

[Vietnow]

I havn't heard of them, But they sound great. I'm going to check this out. Great Reveiw!

[Zappa]

This is a good listen, but would be much more interesting if I hadn't heard it all before elsewhere. The idea of one long track is not so bad in theory, but it makes navigating completely impossible. Now, if it felt like a more unified work, I'd understand the lack of track breaks, but it doesn't really feel like one piece of music to me. The ending is annoying, and I actually listened to the entire thing (big mistake; the payoff is about a second and a half of studio noise before it ends). When the album is good, it's really good, but it also has very low low points. It sort of feels like they were plunking around in the studio while working on "Suspended Animation," and this is what came out. This probably isn't what really happened, but the fact that it sounds like it is not a compliment. It could have been great if the time spent on getting the rights to the artwork was used to fine-tune and more fully flesh out their ideas. This is my least favorite of the three Fantômas albums, but still a decent 3/5.

[PimpDaddyKabZ]

are there any interpretable lyrics on this one? (unlike Amenaza al Mundo)

I have yet to see this in stores

[Zappa]

There are some spoken word samples, but Patton delivers no lyrical vocals.

[OrbDragon]

This is a good listen, but would be much more interesting if I hadn't heard it all before elsewhere. The idea of one long track is not so bad in theory, but it makes navigating completely impossible. Now, if it felt like a more unified work, I'd understand the lack of track breaks, but it doesn't really feel like one piece of music to me.

Well the track is called "surgical sound specimens from the museum of skin", which basically explains why the tracks consists of different sequences instead of one progressing slob of music. The reason why it's basically alot of tiny tracks into one is because it's more 'soundtrack'-based...in movie music you also have different musical parts for different scenes. I think the same kind of idea is also been practitioned in making this record.

[Theleftside2]

my god damned Record Store doesn't have this album yet.
I went to go buy it on the 30th and it wasn't there. I went last week and it still wasn't there. :(


I'm probably going to have to order it, If I still dont see it next time I go.


By the way, this is my first post back in a long time.

I still enjoy reading your reviews Orb. :thumb:

[Knifeboy]

Great review! :thumb:

And amazing cd!

[OrbDragon]

For all those people who have bought Fantômas' new record Delirium Cordia. I warn you that...WHATEVER you do...do NOT play this record while on 'shrooms. Ever. I swear that it could really have some ugly consequences. This is no joke...I'm serious about it. It would not be fun.

DON'T do it.

[PimpDaddyKabZ]

May I ask why?

increased hallucination?

[OrbDragon]

I can't predict what would happen if someone would shroom while listening to DC...some people may react perfectly sane to it...others might go totally out of control. All I'm saying is...that I wouldn't risk it. I've did it only once before in my life about six years ago under fairly common circumstances...so I'm only speaking from my own experience. Let's just say it wasn't cool at all.

But if I ever would do it again (which is very, very unlikely)...maybe some Sigur Rós or Godspeed You! Black Emperor is good to put on. But not this record...it would scare me ****less.

[awwww SHOOT]

This album is godly, I'm always in the mood for it.

[Frodo]

Another amazing review Orb.

Good call on the shrooms thing too.

This album is unlike anything I've ever heard. Patton is a genious.

5/5

[Blue Collar Tweeker]

I would listen to it on shrooms.

[Kaden]

Going against all advice I've received on these forums, yesterday I got this as my first Fantomas album (and my first Patton album, to boot). I really don't know what to think right now. I kind of feel like I'm not qualified to have an opinion of it, you know? Well, I'll see how I like it in a few days. It's certainly amazing, and disturbing, but I'm not sure how I like it yet.

[Zappa]

Going against all advice I've received on these forums, yesterday I got this as my first Fantomas album (and my first Patton album, to boot). I really don't know what to think right now. I kind of feel like I'm not qualified to have an opinion of it, you know? Well, I'll see how I like it in a few days. It's certainly amazing, and disturbing, but I'm not sure how I like it yet.


If you have heard it, you are qualified to have an opinion. Just like I heard it and said "wow, this is really mediocre."

[Blue Collar Tweeker]

I wouldnt say its medicore but its not as good as everyone is saying. I'm a huge Patton/Fantomas fan, but theres just not enough actual music. Its like most of the album is just strange noise.

[Zappa]

I wouldnt say its medicore but its not as good as everyone is saying. I'm a huge Patton/Fantomas fan, but theres just not enough actual music. Its like most of the album is just strange noise.

That isn't necessarily the problem for me, though, being a fan of "Adult Themes For Voice" and all. I dunno, it's just not engaging enough to sit and listen to, and not submerged enough to let be background music.

[Theleftside2]

I enjoyed this album.

the first time I was listening to it was one night after practice. and while I had my eyes closed I remember these sudden parts in it made me jump.

another time, I was listening to it one night at my house with only me and my little sister and I remember seeing my sister walk around the house looking scared. at one moment I ran to her in the dark. and she cried. :lol:

She told me that the CD I was listening to sounded scary.


This album is one of a kind. :cool:

[incubliss]

it is definately one of a kind, and as i write this, i listen at 32 minutes to the strange sound, or something which resembles a didgeridoo. this album, in a simple term, could be described as a Nightmare.

this is a masterpiece, but yet, it is not very accessible. people will love the idea of 1 track, 74 minutes, great. visions of mind boggling solo's came to mind straight away, or maybe a lyrical masterpiece, yet i found the complete opposite. not a bad thing, as i like the album, and OrgDragon' review on the album is inch perfect.

10/10.

[Oli_m]

I completely loved this cd, but zappa i think im starting to understand what you mean. the ideas in it dont seem to go on for long enough to suck you into the music. still an awesome cd though, and orb i liked how you gave nothing about the actual music away, leaving it as a surprise!

[br3ad_man]

I'm listeing to this a lot lately. It's definirly their best. The latin percussion and the beat boxing are my favourite parts.

[br3ad_man]

Oh! Actually the chanting bit right at the start is my favourite. Those two are my second favourites.

[sting-ray]

good review.

I bought the cd the other day. I must say that its quite disturbing, but nice. Kinda has a little erie sound thats pretty cool. At first i didn't like it at all but it gets better and better the more you listen to it.

4/5

[SubtleDagger]

I think I'm the only person here who listens to this when I go to sleep.

[br3ad_man]

:eek: I couldnt imagine the dreams I'd have if I slept to this

[SubtleDagger]

:eek: I couldnt imagine the dreams I'd have if I slept to this
Actually, I find it comforting. After the really loud, dissonant parts there are always soft, pretty parts to cool off.

[sting-ray]

:eek: I couldnt imagine the dreams I'd have if I slept to this


yea man... hurts to even think about it.

[Kaden]

I think I'm the only person here who listens to this when I go to sleep.
I do it. This and Sigur Ros' (), those are the two best relaxation albums I have.

[Ophidian]

I find it too chaotic. it is definitely an impressive release but the first album was far too schizophrenic for me as is this one. I like Dopesmoker by Sleep more. It's a sixty-something minute tribute to weed, built off a riff from a wall of guitars that could circle the world. It drones on and on without too many changes in styles and sounds. If you don't like Delirium Cordia, then I'd suggest Sleep instead. Or you could just go back to your boring conventional mainstream slop that is spoonfed to you. Your choice.

[Kaden]

I find it too chaotic. it is definitely an impressive release but the first album was far too schizophrenic for me as is this one. I like Dopesmoker by Sleep more. It's a sixty-something minute tribute to weed, built off a riff from a wall of guitars that could circle the world. It drones on and on without too many changes in styles and sounds. If you don't like Delirium Cordia, then I'd suggest Sleep instead. Or you could just go back to your boring conventional mainstream slop that is spoonfed to you. Your choice.
:lol: Dopesmoker is awesome.

[OrbDragon]

I once listened to it walking through a forest during the night. Not recommended.