Panem: Prog, bread and circus…..

Bread and circus (Latin: panem et circenses) is a term used figuratively to criticize both a state’s attempt to passivate its citizens, and the citizens’ own willingness to be bribed with superficial and decadent gifts. Panem is an excellent choice for a band name in my opinion.

Some days ago we wrote about the Nice band Nine Skies, and obviously this was a OK article. The reason is that friends of Anne-Claire and Eric from Nine Skies reached out to us asking for writing an article about their debut album Zeitgeist / Absolute Monopoly. The mentioned friends are in the very fine band Panem. The title track Absolutely Monopoly,

Lyrics :

I can make you believe in almost anything

I want to gently occupy your mind

It’s a shame you’ll just believe about everything I say

When there’s nothing true behind

Mistaking voyeurism for culture is the key

To make my way into the truth

‘Cause I hold an absolute monopoly over you

And yet I’m still in my youth

Outside I’m a dream come true

I come in many faces I live in every place

Inside you’d scream if you knew

I come in many faces I live in every place you go

Give me good or bad give me ugliness

I’ll sow confusion between the lines

Give me lust give me love give me bitchiness

I’ll turn your profanity to pride

Give me envy give me bitterness

I’ll make your sanity decline

Give me television, loneliness

I’ll make your humanity recline

Outside I’m a dream come true

I come in many faces I live in every place

Inside you’d scream if you knew

I come in many faces I live in every place you go

A band that offers catchy but powerful and passionate music with lots of energy and very good vocals. The Panem members describe their music as indie prog but much more important that music is diverse and unlike most music I ever have heard before. The song writing is very god, and the songs are nicely crafted.

Panem is:

Marie Moreau / lead vocals

Emeline Fougeray / bass

Mogan Cornebert / drums

Yacine Aït Amer / guitars & vocals

Pandem have some refreshing pop sensibility and they also deliver a creative and well thought storytelling and the musicians are skilled and as an important bonus they are motivated and obviously love their songs! The provoking lyrics I also enjoy and the edgy chorus. Panem is another example of a band that not necessarily is so well-known but are both fascinating and very good.

Tracklist:

1. Zeitgeist / Absolute Monopoly 04:04

2. Breathe, Pretender 04:04

3. Face Tomorrow 05:44

4. Something I Don’t Know 04:08

5. A Line In The Sand 04:18

6. The Empty Man 03:25

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