Chalice - Chronicles of Dysphoria (2000)

It can sometimes be nervewracking the way certain songs or albums seem to always flood memories back in my brain when I listen to them. In the case of Australian gothic/doom metalers, Chalice, this album always reminds me of this gal I took out on a date two or three times back in early 2001. No, its not like she was a fan of Chalice, I don't think she even liked metal much, but as it turned out this gal happened to look a hell of a lot like Chalice vocalist/keyboardist, Shiralee Morgan. So, in an odd sort of way every time I see a photo of Shiralee I think of that gal, and its not that I'm hung up on her or something like that a decade later, but I guess sometimes we just remember weird random events like that in our lives. Or at least I do.

Regardless of that incidental connection for me, 'Chronicles of Dysphoria' has been one of my favorite albums since picking it up in the late months of 2000. Originally recorded and released in '98 with a different line-up, Chronicles was re-recorded and re-arranged when the band signed to Modern Invasion Music in early 2000. On this album Chalice specialized in a mid-paced gothic/doom metal style, which was heavily despondent in mood and characterized by the impressive guitar work of Sean Graetz & Justin Hartwig, as well as the sorrow filled violin of an unknown session member and of course the heavenly and haunting keyboard and female vocals of, Shiralee Morgan.

For what its worth, Shiralee has one of the most marvelous and alluring female vocal abilities I've personal ever heard. Her range is incredible and just the sheer unmatched power was something to behold. I remember back then seeing gals like Tarja Turunen & Cristina Scabbia getting all the recognition without a mentioning of Shiralee anywhere, but being from Australia and signed to a tiny Australian label probably wasn't doing her any favors. A shame the real talents always get the shaft.

Aside from the vocals, the overall feel of the album is massively somber sounding throughout most of it, with really only two songs having a little more force within them, and even those are fairly depressing sounding, namely, 'Solitary Waves' & 'Interlunar Dreams.' The album is also highly ethereal throughout with a great flow within each song as well each one seems to have their own identity that makes them unique.

Besides the two fabulous songs mentioned above, I also really enjoy, 'Solvieg's Song' a lot since its probably the albums bleakest statement, as well the interplay between the guitars, keys and violin during the last couple minutes of, 'Memorial Embers' is breathtaking. However, the albums finest moment is surely, 'The Amber Twilight,' which is nothing short of being astoundingly gorgeous, especially the guitar solo near the end and the way Shiralee's vocals absolutely soar with grace here. Speechless artistry. Honestly, one of my all-time favs right here.

About a year after this album, Chalice recorded, 'An Illusion to the Temporary Real,' which was quite good too, though the doom characteristics and violin were gone and replaced with a more straightforward female fronted gothic metal sound and a flute was used in favor of the violin. 'Augmented' followed in 2003, which was sent to me personally by Miss Morgan and finally in 2006 an EP titled, 'The Calm That Was The Storm' passed through, but I never heard it. Sometime there after the band broke up with apparently the entire band turned their backs on Shiralee and then starting a new band called, Black Orchid, with a different female singer.

Although Chalice stuck it out for a little over ten years, only the three albums and the EP were recorded, all of which were on the same label, and as such their sound missed a lot of ears around the world. A shame, but it happens and is surely continuing to happen to other bands out there.

In the end if melodic, atmospheric, female fronted gothic/doom metal is your thing, then you absolutely owe it to yourself to track this album down. Simply put, its one of the best, ever!