Review Summary: A more accessible proggy gothic metal experience
Like 2020’s Opulent Decay before it, Spell’s fourth album is a weird little hodgepodge that sees their traditional metal foundation all but completely overtaken by surges of gothic rock and prog influence. The opening “Fatal Breath” plays out like a cross between mid-eighties Rush and Voivod circa Angel Rat, boasting a particularly mathy riff pattern during the verses and more percussive builds in the choruses. But while this song would suggest the Canadians taking their last album’s fusion in an even more complex direction, the opposite ends up being the case.
Indeed, Tragic Magic feels more straightforward than its predecessor and just might be the most accessible album that Spell has released so far. On top of featuring their shortest runtime since 2014’s The Full Moon Sessions, the individual songs largely hover around three to four-minute lengths and serve up a bunch of catchy hooks at an overall snappy pace. While this makes for a decidedly less adventurous experience, it never feels dumbed down and still serves the otherworldly atmosphere.
It also helps that the songwriting sees two halves taking shape, serving up a slew of anthems up front and allowing for more wistful meandering toward the back. “Ultraviolet” and “Fever Dream” were great single choices with their hazy textures making their choruses even more striking while “Hades Embrace” and “Sarcophagus” offering more of the same with pronounced chugs. This approach can admittedly make things feel frontloaded, but the lighthearted “Ruined Garden” and the ominous “Watcher of the Seas” are strong contrasting highlights.
The musicianship is also as commendable as ever, especially in light of the band having been reduced to a two-piece between releases. The bass playing is the most dominant feature, providing a sturdy bottom-heavy anchor throughout, and there are plenty of intricate drum patterns even with them being lower in the mix. In addition, the vocal lines are clearer, and the guitars and synths provide an array of effects that shape those sweet gothic vibes.
As glad I am that Opulent Decay has since grown on me after reviewing it, it’s great to see Spell successfully deliver a more immediate take on the style with Tragic Magic. The genre blend feels as unique as ever and the musicianship just as exploratory, but the more palatable songwriting provides an alternate take that proves to be more digestible. It’s tricky to tell which album is better but they both prove to be satisfying listens. Even with this wave of post punk by way of classic metal seemingly getting bigger with each passing year, there’s still nobody doing it like Spell.
