Sarah Jezebel Deva – “The Corruption Of Mercy”: Atop The List Of Must Have Metal Albums For 2011
Sarah Jezebel Deva – The sophomore studio release The Corruption Of Mercy, (June 27, 2011 via Listenable Records), from Sarah Jezebel Deva is an enormous leap forward for this strikingly talented front woman. The band assembled for this album is a driving Metal force behind it’s foreseeable success as well. Under her solo name, Sarah Jezebel Deva is a touring band and one that has created a Metal album that should be atop the list of must haves for 2011. Who exactly must have The Corruption Of Mercy? Anyone who cares about, admires and wants to hear solid song writing, excellent musicianship and exemplary vocals should wrap their eardrums around this album. While putting Metal genre tags aside for a moment, this new Sarah Jezebel Deva album is a complete listen into carefully crafted, dexterously layered and fabulously executed music.
(All band photo credits: Khyrian)
Sarah Jezebel Deva has a plethora of experience as a vocalist, her Metal resume can be considered undeniably impressive. Her association with too numerous bands, (of world class notoriety) to mention, resulting in appearing on over 35 albums is an exclamation point unto itself. Add the Metal fact, Sarah had spent 14 years as a backing singer for the legendary Cradle Of Filth, singing on every COF album with the exceptions of the first and latest of their albums, is Metal bragging rights. With Sarah’s second album under her name, her Metal career is taking on a whole new meaning. Shut the front door… cause Sarah Jezebel Deva has arrived as a premier front and center vocalist. The Corruption Of Mercy is unbelievable proof of the arrival of this top tier vocalist of Metal… and music.
Captivating, mesmerizing…hell, take your pick when it comes to describing the vocals of Sarah Jezebel Deva. Pretty With Effects is a ballad that takes over my surroundings with only delicate piano keys and the hypnotic vocals of Sarah. Whoa… it’s a trance like listen and I’m not kidding around here at all. Metal be thy name. The haunting orchestration of What Lies Before You is a dark and cavernous listen, bringing about a feeling of being lost in some god forbidden place and still I’m at ease with the vibes and chills that I take in from it’s chilling ambience.
The guitars of Dan Abela and Jonny Gray are not about taking over the song, instead their talents are used in bringing the listener along for the memorable Metal ride. Melody and speed are fused together to perfection as Dan and Jonny’s guitar licks are showcased in songs such as: The Eyes That Lie and The Corruption Of Mercy. Rhythmically, the attentiveness to keeping this album filled with passages that are mind gripping is real and so very good. No Paragon Of Virtue (in it’s entirety) and the closing moments to The Corruption Of Mercy are strong highlights to the powerful rhythm section of Ablaz on bass and Jamie Abela on drums.
It’s a difficult challenge for me to pinpoint which songs are my favorite on The Corruption Of Mercy. Okay, here are two very strong choices: The World Won’t Hold Your Hand and A Matter Of Convenience. I point out these two songs, based on the all inclusiveness of sound and power from the music, coupled with the effortless and ever impressive vocals of Sarah. I can’t stress more mightily, that the clean and pronounced vocals of Sarah are to be savored, Metal be thy name. Go ahead, one thorough listen into The Corruption Of Mercy and you hopefully will realize that Sarah Jezebel Deva believes in the ideal of the complete album of songs.
Yes, Gothic Metal and Symphonic Metal fans will delight in the swirls of dark and melodic vibes (respectively) that The Corruption Of Mercy has to offer, only this album transcends itself above and beyond the silliness of being genre specific. Who gives a crap about recommending Sarah Jezebel Deva’s new album to only a certain crowd or to desirable sub-groups of Metal fans? We’re unfortunately living in a mainstream world and my recommending The Corruption Of Mercy to all fans of quality Rock Music is my Metal mission.
No, Sarah Jezebel Deva is not mainstream (of course), yet this album is a kick-to-the-ass at all the mainstream record labels who think they have a clue about vocals and music that Rocks. A Metal kudos to Listenable Records. A vocalist such as Sarah Jezebel Deva and her band included, need to be heard and celebrated for an accomplishment of music that is: The Corruption Of Mercy.
Sarah Jezebel Deva is:
Dan Abela – guitars
Jonny Gray – guitars
Sarah Jezebel Deva – vocals
Ablaz – bass
Jamie Abela – drums
Pzy-Clone (guest) – programming/orchestration
Gian Pyres (guest) – guitar solos
The Corruption Of Mercy – Track Listing:
No Paragon Of Virtue
The World Won’t Hold Your Hand
A Matter Of Convenience
Silence Please
Zombie
Pretty With Effects
What Lies Before You
Sirens
The Eyes That Lie
The Corruption Of Mercy
* For more info on Sara Jezebel Deva, click on the links below:
SARAH JEZEBEL DEVA – Official Website
SARAH JEZEBEL DEVA – myspace music
Sarah Jezebel Deva – Official facebook
LONG LIVE SARAH JEZEBEL DEVA.
Stone.
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
July 18, 2011 at 2:15 pm
As you say, all the songs are quite beautiful. from first to last … but personally, I have not stopped listening to A Matter Of Convenience … I listen all day, and every time I like more. I recommend you listen to this album. I hope someday visit South America, to say Bolivia, my country.
August 8, 2011 at 4:19 pm
Sounds like an album I need to buy the CD for.Fuck the Digital download.