Extracts from various reviews of Primrose

Foreword:

Finely tuning their gloriously unique sound evermore, Mors Syphilitica have elevated their latest release to a higher level of haunting lush operatic rock, with emotionally compelling melodies, choruses and instrumentals. Always broadening their horizons, they have experimented further with a mix of classical, heavy rock, middle-eastern, ancient folk, medieval, gothic, and even victorian musical styles. They combine soaring operatic and rock vocals with the elements of electric guitar, bass, tribal drums, mandolin, piano, strings, organ, 12-string guitar, banjo, a victrola and even a cat in heat. It is this pioneering spirit and talent that separates Mors Syphilitica from all other bands, not only in the gothic genre, but across the board. Primrose is the recording that will bring Mors Syphilitica’s unique gifts to the world.

Marie Boudreau / Sacrum Torch, Ltd.

REVIEWS:

"With swirling tones like flower petals in the eddy of a passing boat, this talented duo has produced a fascinating album awash in truly beautiful music intended to charm the soul. Eric Hammer displays a virtuoso adeptness at supplying the musical end of things while Lisa Hammer utilizes sweeping vocal techniques which soar from the lower ranges on through almost operatic crescendos. Mors Syphilitica is a one-of-a-kind vision that works to incorporate all of the best the past has to offer while taking advantage of the advances made in the technology of today. Immaculately produced and performed with exemplary musicianship, “Primrose” is a worthy successor to the band’s previous self-titled release”

Carpe Noctem Magazine

“Mors Syphilitica is to Requiem In White what The Creatures was to Siouxsie and the Banshees. As for “Primrose”, as a whole it’s extremely good, but one song in particular stands out from all other songs I’ve heard this year: “Johnny Has Gone For A soldier”. It evokes an earlier war period sentimentality, a period of drama and lamentation, which is in stark contrast to the facile pap that passes for contemporary music.”

Propaganda Magazine

“Awesome second album from these goth gods! Haunting, lush operatic goth rock with emotionally compelling melodies, choruses and instrumentals. Here they've incorporated heavy rock with middle-eastern, ancient folk and medieval sounds. 15 long tracks. “

Com-4

“The music of "Primrose", Mors Syphilitica's second CD, emerges in a spiritual embrace of amorousness, beauty, vanity, possession and desire. But perhaps I am reading too much into this....There is a remarkable lack of futility in these 15 songs. Each track serves to strengthen the music's intent, from the first note to the last. The title track "Primrose" is a lovely ode played on mandolin, at times reminding me of Led Zeppelin's "The Battle of Evermore." The disc contains many other such departures from the rock/opera mix that has come to be expected from the Hammers. "Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier" is a traditional ballad that has been rearranged for 12-string guitar. As adapted by Mors, it is a vital, heartbreaking meditation on the power of love. "Silently There" is a wonderfully hypnotic, bass-heavy song with acoustic guitar and a striking, pleading chorus. The cat-in-heat screeches, banjo and scratched-record oddity of "This Love Ours" adds to the song's allure, sung by what sounds like a forlorn turn-of-the-century spinster confined to the porch of her mid-western farm.

There are also quite a few rock-based treasures here, ranging from the heavy, soprano-rich opening track "Ungrateful Girl" to the ebow-enhanced, sinuous "Distance," (which is one of my favorites from their live set). "Spinning on Ribbon" is an intricate blend of hard and soft melodies...The Mors Syphilitica name may be found difficult to pronounce by many, but once heard, the music will be forgotten by few.”

The Sentimentalist

“No man can be unaffected by the voice of Lisa Hammer. This woman is vocally trained in the operatic style, enabling her to sing in such a way that my soul almost involuntarily soars out of my body upon hearing her. But it is not just the perfection of her notes...It is the sadness that she lends to certain passages that crush me and yet rebuild me...She weaves a most powerful magic, bringing forth feelings long unknown that had lain sleeping, awaiting her call....

The Grimoire

“Lisa’s voice has progressed wonderfully since their first CD. It meshes much smoother with the music and is much more emotive when it needs to be. Some songs are very dark and moody and haunting. I would definitely classify this as a listen-to-in-the-dark-CD. It is promising to see bands progress and evolve as time goes on...Mors Syphilitica have grown into a stand above the herd goth band, not an easy thing to do.’

The Inside Connection

“From Eric and Lisa Hammer comes an astonishing new album. Fifteen new songs from the depths of human passion. Revel in Eric's bloodshed and Lisa's superb operatic vocals.”

Middle Pillar

“At the beginning of 1998 here are Mors Syphilitica, presenting their latest work, Primrose, in which there are 15 new songs, written and played by the sterling couple- the Hammers. They start with the splendid "Ungrateful Girl", which immediately highlights the fundamental characteristics of this band: obscure, dark and passionate music with an ethereal and profound voice. However, in “Primrose”, the "classic" gothic-rock sound has expanded to new areas. Therefore, we go from romantic atmospheres ("Remedy", "Infanta"), to an almost oriental style: ("Spinning on Ribbon", "Distance"), to Medieval sounds: (the mandolin on "Primrose" and "If Palms..."), Victorian Opera-style: ("This Love Ours"), and almost-folk: (the traditional ballad "Johnny has gone..."). In sum, this is the awaited and pleasant confirmation of this enchanting American band!”

Ver Sacrum Magazine, Italy