Covers are the new Original Track
It's difficult to categorise a band who only do covers, other than in the ever expanding category of "Rubbish". So when Elvira Madigan came along and proved that cover songs do have the power to take what was already there and mutate it successfully into something fresh and exciting, yet still being able to pay homage to the creator of the song, one can not help feeling a little excited.
Marcus Madigan, the mastermind and soul creator of Wiccan Aftermath, has provided for the listener 11 tracks of pure gold. There are no new tracks on this album, and yet I feel that if there had been, the result would not have been as accessible as it is.
It does help to have heard the tracks originally before having a go at Elvira, but saying that there is no track on here that is too inaccessible. Everything on here is unique and serves a purpose, rather than simply sitting on an album as a filler as so many bands seem to be happy to do these days.
By far the best song on the album is "At Zanarkand", originally written by Nobou Uematsu for the game Final Fantasy X. This is a haunting yet powerful track which Marcus has changed to make more listenable out of the context of the game, yet the emotion that was there hasn't been left behind. Expertly played by Marcus, this alone is a reason to buy the album.
But wait, along comes Chrono Cross and Prisoners Of Fate, both originally by Yasunori Mitsuda for the game Chrono Trigger. These three pieces of music all make Wiccan Aftermath by far the best thing I've heard in an awfully long time.
If you like your music simplistic guitar chords, chugging base lines and speedy drumming, you need to turn away instantly. However, if you've ever been moved by a film soundtrack, if you play the piano or if you have any music sense at all, Elvira Madigan are a must-buy.