It’s only been a year since Rome, product of main force Jérôme Reuter, released their last full-length album; and already, completely in style, a new EP was brought to us last August. But then again, when your main theme is Europe, its history, politics and wars, there is an endless field of inspiration, especially with all that’s going on in the world right now. Where last year’s album ‘Gates of Europe’ was all about the current war in Ukraine, ‘World in Flames’ looks a little further than that. Whether intentionally or not, it triggers the listener to reflect on the current state of the world we are living in, and where we are heading. I do feel a critical tone asking us ‘did we not learn from the past, and why aren’t we doing anything to keep it from repeating itself?’
While often categorized as neofolk, Rome‘s music goes beyond the genre. While industrial elements were present in earlier work, they become more pronounced on ‘World in Flames,’ especially the first part of the album. After a short intro (‘Vol De Nuit’), ‘First We Take Berlin’ sets in. The ‘simple’ beating drums, dark heavy vocals, accompanied by the violin lines create the ultimate Doomsday vibe. This feeling continues, though a bit more melodic, with ‘Submission’, creating a ‘last dance before it all ends’ feeling; you know, those typical scenes in apocalyptic movies. Unfortunately, it isn’t fiction that the song resembles, and reality is all too real; it’s the sound of the oppressor approaching.
When ‘Eagle Winds’ sets in, a more familiar sound is presented. The acoustic guitar is leading, and the industrial sound is gone. From this point on the neofolk sound is ruling and more alike most of the previous albums. The pace goes up a bit, and the sound gets a little more aggressive with ‘Todo Es Nada’, fitting the message the last words of the album leaves us with: ‘All is gone, none is won. Todo es nada!’; a feeling all too well creeping up on you during the instrumental ‘outro’ ‘World in Flames’.
‘World in Flames’ is a nice representation of both edges of the knife that is Rome, the darker industrial one, and the neofolk one, geniously mixed into one unique sound. The only downside of this EP/mini album is that, with its 21 minutes, it’s way too short. Fortunately, in the line of expectations we probably don’t have to wait long before a new release will be announced.
Written by: Ingrid
Record label: Trisol Music Group
Release date: August 2nd 2024
Rating: 9/10
Tracklist
1. Vol De Nuit
2. First We Take Berlin
3. Submission
4. Eagle Wings
5. Todo Es Nada
6. World in Flames
