ALBUM REVIEW: The Dying Option – Magna Carta Cartel
Formed in 2006, MAGNA CARTA CARTEL had only released one EP and an album before their founder Martin Persner focused his attentions elsewhere. He put all his energy into GHOST, and MCC was put on the back burner. However, when Persner left GHOST in 2016, he clearly had unfinished business with his original band. Since then, MAGNA CARTA CARTEL have been making up for lost time, and their latest release The Dying Option is an example of this. While it’s already out on streaming platforms, its physical release will be available this week. As well as The Dying Option, MCC have another album and an EP on the way, so fans of the band can be sure they’re not going anywhere any time soon.
Opening the album is Arrows, which has an ambient introduction and slowly builds up. The vocals come in and Persner’s voice fits into the goth genre really well; it’s very deep and almost like a whisper. The guitars are long and drawn out, with effects adding to the overall feel of the song for what becomes quite a fresh take on a genre that’s been around for a while. Next is Silence, which is pretty similar to the first song. Now the tone has been established, this track is more memorable but it’s the lyrics that really stand out. They’re beautifully written, capturing a balance between a harsher message and a poetic sound, and the calmer instrumental allows you to focus on them completely. Darling is easily a favourite from the album, with an addictive sound and a consistent drum beat driving it through. It’s more upbeat, but the vocals give it a more emotional side, with lyrics that make you immediately connect with the desperate yearning of the song.
Just when you think you’re understanding the style of the album, it’s completely switched up with Sleepy Eye June. An acoustic guitar brings in a more folky style, with breathy sounding vocals which are undeniably unique. Throughout the song, layers of guitars are added, sounding really cool, and thunderstorm effects make it fully immersive, elevating the lyrics and the message. What has been a fairly light album until now changes with Savantgarde, which brings in the intense guitars that were missing before. For a darker sounding song, it has a surprisingly catchy chorus, with a memorable chant. If a song is going to have an almost three-minute long introduction, this has to convey emotions really well and keep it interesting. Don’t Look Now does both of those, feeling calm and ambient but with an underlying tension. Valkyria is another highlight, with a much-needed drop and extremely clever lyrical structure. Closing the album is its title track, The Dying Option, which immediately stands out as one of the best, and the vocals in the refrain add a haunting dimension.
While still sounding consistent, MAGNA CARTA CARTEL have managed to make an extremely varied album with beautifully written lyrics. With a surprising range in how his voice sounds, Persner has clearly proven himself as a vocalist. It might take a few listens to completely appreciate it, but The Dying Option is a criminally underrated album.
Rating: 9/10
The Dying Option is out now via Vernal Vow Records, and set for physical release on November 25th.
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