The Chronicles of Manimal and Samara – Deus Ex Machina (2020)
The age-old struggle between free will and fate forms the basis of ‘Deus Ex Machina’ by The Chronicles of Manimal and Samara. Using hypnotic guitar lines and poetic lyrical laments, the band revisits the greatest tragedy of classical literature, the story of Oedipus Rex. The single is a theatrical sonic experience that considers the essence of this story.
The experience is provided by Andrea Papi (keyboards, electric guitar, bass) and Daphne Ang (vocals, keyboard). Together they combine spoken word poetry with electronic and rock music. Taking inspiration from Shakespeare and Ancient Greek poetry, they create an experience you won’t soon forget.
‘Deus Ex Machina’ draws you in with a gentle opening before you are hit with the heavy rock guitars. The opening melody is hypnotic and gets you hooked to the song. There is this rhythm to the melody that draws you along and gets you into the vibe of the track. Below the steady guitar notes, there are these ominous lines that roil around in the background. The melody has this wonderful ebb and flow that builds up the emotions of the lyrics. The final notes of the melody are like a throwback to the days of Ancient Greece perfectly tying off the song.
Over the roiling ominous melody is the spoken-word lyrics. The poetry of the lyrics is an amazing match for the rock melody. The combination of the melody and recited lyrics is something so different from what you usually hear that it captivates you. The flow of Ang’s recitation brings a mesmerising storytelling element to the already utterly captivating single. It is worth taking the time to really listen to the lyrics because this song is much deeper than you might imagine.
The Chronicles of Manimal and Samara revisit the story of Oedipus Rex through a mixture of poetic lyrics and rhythmic rock in ‘Deus Ex Machina’. The single first hooks you with the hypnotic guitar lines before Ang’s mesmerising poetry leaves you unable to move before the song allows you. The essence of Sophocles is captured in a sonic experience worthy of comparison with Greek tragedies.
Find out more about The Chronicles of Manimal and Samara on their website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
