Tarantula - Metalmorphosis
	Released: 2005 Label: AFM Records Cat. No.: AFM-0932 2499 Total Time: 41:37
	Reviewed by: Jan-Mikael Erakare, October 2005 Evaluation: I love it when a band takes chances and comes up with a clever concept. Even a piquant twist on an old one can be refreshing. Pushing boundaries and blazing trails have always been the hallmarks of great bands … bands that, unafraid to take chances and secure enough in their identity that despite the need to eke out a living, garner respect, remain relevant or garner anything but uproarious scorn and derision, pursue their own vision. In spite of blatantly vapid lyrics, hilariously misogynistic concepts, overwrought imagery, and overblown pomposity, please, folks, allow me to introduce … Tarantula! Analysis: Taking their cues from dozens of 80s stalwarts (where do I start … the Bon Jovi talk box intro to "New Tomorrow," the harmonized guitars of "Sea Of Doubts," the "poof-a-doom" hair, white ruffled shirts, leather…!?), paunchy Portuguese dinosaurs Tarantula have managed to cram every single egregious aspect of the hair metal decade into one ill-conceived yet seemingly archly-executed package. It's all here folks … "flame-shrouded-serious-guy" cover insert poses, lyrics ripped right out of Steve Perry's day-timer (proof-read by the smarter guy in the Scorpions and grammar and spell-checked by Yngwie Malmsteen), masturbatory finger-tapped solos …. step right up, step right up!! Rating: 2+/5. The plus is for the trip down memory lane, and for the inspired use of lyrical clichés so harrowing that I will sample them for you here, in order that I might exorcise them from my subconscious: "Trapped in the danger zone, caught in a cross-fire…" ("We Go With The Flow") "In your eyes, it's all in your eyes; I know you so well, in your eyes, Judas in disguise" ("All In Your Eyes") "You've got a heart of stone, you are playing with fire, you're meant to be alone" ("Meant To Be Alone") … Summary: Tarantula provides mid-paced, formulaic hard rock that borders on the metallic but never manages to teeter from ridiculous to sublime. Metalmorphosis is expertly yet perfunctorily executed, rife with hyperbole and histrionics… More about Metalmorphosis: Track Listing: Breaking The Barriers Of Time / We Go With The Flow / The Bleeding Land / New Tomorrow / Your Promised Land / All In Your Eyes / Sea Of Doubts / Far Away From God / Meant To Be Forgotten / Under Control Musicians: Jorge Marques - vocals Paulo Barros - guitars José Aguiar - bass Luis Barros - drums Contact: Website: tarantula.com.sapo.pt Note: will open new browser window Discography Tarantula (1987) Kingdom Of Lusitania (1990) Tarantula III (1993) Freedom's Call (1995) Light Beyond The Dark (1999) Dream Maker (2001) Metalmorphosis (2005)
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