Adamantra – Act III: Pareidolia of Depravity

Elyna Kahn

Are you familiar with the words “Pareidolia” and “Depravity”? Pareidolia refers to a psychological phenomenon where the human mind perceives faces in random images, lights, and shadows. A good example is the classic emoji, known worldwide due to social media. When keyboard characters combine, we see a face expressing a specific emotion, though it is merely signs arranged in a certain manner. We attribute that combination of signs to a particular facial expression and emotion.

This suggests that we all experience pareidolia in our daily lives. We feel compelled to assign specific meanings to random characters to communicate emotions, implying that pareidolia involves imposing meaning onto something abstract. Meanwhile, depravity, as defined by the Cambridge Dictionary, is “the state of being morally bad or an action that is morally bad”. The term is widely known but, fortunately, not universally experienced.

While pareidolia represents humanity’s inclination to impose meaning, depravity reflects the moral decay hidden behind those meanings. Together, they embody the dichotomy of good and evil, highlighting the human tendency toward corruption and authoritarianism. The fusion of these concepts suggests a profound theme: the “Pareidolia of Depravity”, a driving force behind wars, religious persecutions, and oppressive systems—responsible for much of human suffering throughout history.

This intricate interplay between pareidolia and depravity serves as rich inspiration for crafting layered, complex music—perfect for a Progressive Metal album. Adamantra’s third album, Act III: Pareidolia of Depravity, exemplifies this concept. Known for its classically Proggy sound, Adamantra excels in creating sonic scenarios that align with its lyrical narratives. Much like Howard Shore’s work in The Lord of the Rings soundtrack, each song becomes a “sound scene” that is obscure, intricate, and often sinister.

Narratively, Act III is a spiritual and psychological quest divided into eight “Pareidolias”. The opening piece, “Treacherous Valor”, explores the pareidolia of war through two soldiers questioning the value of their cause. “Hypocrites” addresses religious tyranny, depicting the conflict between ancestral wisdom and fanaticism, reflecting historical persecutions. “False Illusions” examines the pareidolia of false freedom, revealing how control and oppression often masquerade as security and well-being while eroding fundamental rights.

Ultimately, Act III: Pareidolia of Depravity is more than an album; it’s a profound exploration of reality, urging us to consider how illusions shape our existence. Each of its eight songs critiques our distorted perceptions, reflecting societal flaws like war, religious tyranny, and the loss of autonomy. Combined with masterful Progressive Metal, this 55-minute journey invites listeners to confront the depths of their souls. Stay tuned!

Label: Inverse Records

Release date: 25 October, 2024

Website: https://www.facebook.com/Adamantra

Country: Finland

Score: I had to convince Elyna to settle with a 4.5/5.0