CD Review-Whimsical Fantasy

This is the first CD from talented French composer Guillaume ‘Spiky’ Muller and it is astounding. Spiky trained in Piano & Musical Theory at the Castle Of Becheville Conservatorium France since 1995 and has the demeanor, passion and Gothic ambiance.. of someone who trained in a castle. Combining a dark and twisted universe influenced by Tim Burton or Terry Pratchett, with symphonic metal and a hint of chaos theory, it’s like an orgasm for your ears.   Opening with the powerful Void Factory. The CD focuses on the story of reluctant hero Nescii (meaning” ignore “in Spanglish language), his call to adventure is strange and often surreal, through different terrain, such as the Enchanted Grounds,

Hilltop Asylum and Scarecrow Village and each song tells part of the story on this conceptual album. Often with sound effects such as birds re-creating the feeling of The Docks or toads in the case of The Thingumabob.

The most remarkable aspect of Whimsical Fantasy lies in its ability to tell a story without the visuals. Aside from the sixteen page colour booklet illustrated by the impressive artworks of Share Koziel and a bonus postcard. The rest is fuel for your imagination, its theatre of the mind, a fable told with masterful precision, embodying the heart-wrenching emotions of Nescii and downfall of society as a whole.

Spiky’s music is a tour de force helping turn cabaret inside out, currently working with bands (including Ivalys) , burlesque performers and animators, he is remarkably talented. With a sense of originality, this distinguishes him from the vast majority of composers in his field. Creating sonic landscapes, filled with passion, drama and intensity.

This CD is incredible value, independently produced with twenty one tracks and three bonus tracks, its diverse and powerful music takes you on a journey into a world of madness and ignorance creating powerful images and making us question our own existence. Yet it is never imposing, more like an ambient gothic piece of listening pleasure. Hardly whimsical fantasy…it’s a blooming masterpiece!
You can find out more about the album by visiting this website: www.spiky.fr

Review by Lisa Lamb