Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • Winter 2026 27 Album Reviews VAMP Magnolia Park Epitaph Records Released April 11, 2025 Some of my absolute favorite types of musical projects are concept albums and rock operas. From Green Day's American Idiot to Styx's Kilroy Was Here, there's nothing like the marriage of music and storytelling. What awaits listeners of VAMP is a story of cyborg-vampires fighting against an insidious cult hellbent on bringing about an age of darkness, all wrapped in cyberpunk- infused nu-metal. VAMP is a sonic adventure. Magnolia Park's roots are in the pop-punk scene; you can hear whispers of it across the record. However, they prove unafraid to dive headfirst into brave new territory. There is clear influence from artists such as Linkin Park, especially in "THE SCREAMS." The second track, "SHADOW TALK," additionally brings to mind Lacuna Coil's Karmacode era. There are strong hip-hop elements, such as in the album's first single, "SHALLOW," as well as "WORSHIP," featuring alternative singer- songwriter PLVTINUM and dark pop and metal artist Vana. A quality concept album must have three elements: the story must be engaging; the music must stand on its own in a vacuum; and the two must work together seamlessly to bring the world to life. VAMP accomplishes all this. Inside the case of the album, the band introduces us to the flashy cyberpunk world of Nocturne Nexus. Our protagonist, half-human half- cyborg Aurora X1, is the leader of The Shadow Breakers. Their goal: stop the Shadow Cult, and their leader Obsidian, from merging the Shadow Realm with the physical world. Their mission: journey to Skyfall Castle and use the power of the Bloodstone to become vampires. Fans of franchises such Blade, Ghost in the Shell, and the 2001 adaptation of Hellsing, will devour this story. References to the story are baked into the lyrics. "WASTED" is from the perspective of Aurora as she thinks about the task that awaits her and her comrades at Skyfall Castle. Even with the story elements, the songs can be listened to on their own. "CULT," an anthem of rebellion against the villains of the story, can also be read as rebellion against religious zealotry in all its forms. However, one of my favorite aspects of VAMP is in how Magnolia Park uses their instruments to immerse the listener in the world they've created. "OMEN" is a perfect song for a fight sequence; fiery and fast-paced, the track utilizes blast beats to simulate gunfire. Concept albums are borderline impossible to pull off, especially ones with such niche stories. They're not everyone's cup of tea, either. But with VAMP, Magnolia Park has truly created something special: a musical story that you can certainly sink your teeth into. VAMP is available on CD and vinyl, and is available for streaming on major platforms. REQUIEM Jeremy Beck Coro Volante, Cincinnati String Ensemble Brett Scott, Conductor Acis Productions Released June 24, 2024 I have a confession to make: for most of my life, my knowledge of the Requiem Mass was... minimal. I can pick out references to the Latin and melodies across musical genres, from Evanescence's "Lacrymosa" to the score for Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame. But I've never taken the time to sit down and listen to a full Requiem Mass from beginning to end. Until now, that is, and I'm so glad that my first experience was with Requiem. An SAI Friend of the Arts, Jeremy Beck's composition style is one that utilizes motifs and repetition. His interpretation of "Agnus Dei" and "Ingemnisco"—two of my favorite parts of the mass—are musical reflections of each other. It's a lovely callback for attentive listeners, especially since both texts can be interpreted as prayers for forgiveness. "Lacrimosa" has a similar opening to the earlier "Dies irae." This is another reward for the listener, as both repeat the phrase "dies illa." The repetition of "Requiem, amen," is present at the end of this movement, "Requiem and Kyrie," and "Lux aeterna," which the choir sings with the peace of a sunrise shining through stained glass windows. The work is performed by Coro Volante, a choir dedicated to highlighting works by living composers, and the Cincinnati String Ensemble, which was formed specifically for this project. Each musician works together seamlessly while still making the parts their own. "Tuba mirum"—literally "a trumpet"— begins with a call from sopranos and altos, while the Cincinnati String Ensemble responds in a bold, brazen fashion. "Quid sum miser," a soft confession of wretchedness, is interrupted by tenors, basses, and strings with a thunderous "Rex." This musical moment vibrated through my headphones into my body like tremors from the force of a giant's step. A king of awful majesty, indeed. Inspiring, majestic, yet peaceful and somber when it needs to be, Requiem is a fresh take on the Mass of the Dead. The album is available for streaming on major platforms, and is also available for purchase on acisproductions.com, as well as Jeremy Beck's website, beckmusic.org. Rebekah Strain was initiated into the Gamma Upsilon chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota at Morehead State University in 2013. She currently resides in Lexington, KY, where she teaches writing classes. She can be found on TikTok and Instagram as @rebekah_writes94

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