REVIEWS
August 2006
CEMETERY OF SCREAM (POL) - "The Event Horizon" CD'06 (10 tracks, 45. 17 min)(METAL MIND)
I remember I loved the "Sameone" debut some 13 years ago, when I bought the tape right from a shop in Poland. Afterwards "Melancholy" sounded pretty nice, as it was a proof of Doom Death Metal elegance and inspiration. Starting with "Deeppression", the music displayed the lack of consistency, while "Fin De Siecle" and the "Prelude to a Sentimental Journey" LP turned out as self - effacing, in a fit of allure absence. I used to believe that it will worth waiting for this new album: yet, the finding is rather confusing, as I found no delight in the latest masculine vocalist (it reminded me about the old PYOGENESIS and I also sensed some METALLICA influences). To put it bluntly, I wasn't expecting for these veterans to embrace such a radical change, over enhancing Progressive's tunes and trolls out of the music. The keyboard is still bombastic, and the guitars try to disguise into Metal, but the album solely outlines me feebleness and no strength at all! I don't want to get too harsh on it, but I sense this band's battery is flat, at least as far as the inspiration is concerned! Sharing the same outset as ANATHEMA, PARADISE LOST, MY DYING BRIDE or KATATONIA, COS seemed the perfect Eastern Europe cue. Every one of the bands above mentioned experienced a style change during the past years, including COS. I have no idea which one of them survived and keeps on living the present... my guess is that solely MY DYING BRIDE succeeded! At least COS didn't, that's for sure! However, let's take a look at the positive pole, weak as it is: a very well mixed album, presenting a complex and synchronized orchestration, while the atmospheric element veils the sound... here and there the feminine voice emerges with the same exotic mark we've found on the former albums. The cover's layout is special, bringing out a scent of KATATONIA's imagery. We are dealing with a material placed on the average layer of Doom Death Metal sonorities, still one that deserved to be listened, at least for the sake of these 15 years of existence. Eventually, concentrate yourselves on the orchestration, it's a good one.
www.cemeteryofscream.com
SECRETS OF THE MOON (GER) - "Antithesis" CD'06 (9 tracks, 58. 41 min) (LUPUS LOUNGE)
It might be just a bad day of mine, but you know what? I don't like this album either. I am familiar with these Germans for over 10 years, and during the time their entire activity was linked solely to Black Metal. This time you will immediately notice their desire to create a sort of music different from the above mentioned style. Still, I cannot define their new approach in any way! It rather seems to be some sort of review over the European Black Metal, starting with the raw one, aggressive and simplistic as it is, showing up Thrash tunes, and passing towards the Nordic one (DARK THRONE) or the one promoted for ages by No Colours label; it also brings slow frames, somehow melodious, though tied to strange sonorities and confusing riffs... I still haven't found an accurate style framing for SECRETS OF THE MOON, but I think this is the most diversified album and, even if it lacks the commercial fluency or logic, I'd rate it slightly above the inspired albums average. Yet, after a decade of music, I expected a masterpiece from the Germans... Next time probably...
www.secretsofthemoon.org
SATYRIAN (BEL) - "Eternitas" CD'06 (12 tracks, 55. 53 min) (LION)
Do you remember DANSE MACABRE? Jan "Orkki" Yrlund, a veteran of the Gothic Rock scene, decided to unshelve this project and, along with the participation of certain impressive international figures, changed the name into SATYRIAN and created this very album! For those uninformed, Orkki holds record of remarkable bands he had collaborated with: LACRIMOSA, IMPERIA, ANGEL, DELAIN, PRESTIGE, SINMASTERS, BURANA 357... I'm troubled into presenting SATYRIAN's pieces, because they differ a lot from one to another, therefore we could rather consider it a compilation. Perhaps these four long silenced years determined the musicians to entwine on the stave all their risen Gothic Rock ideas. Therefore, we are dealing with a conceptual hybrid which generates a slight auditory fatigue. Feminine vocals are considerably "coloured", so that Kemi Vita (THE DREAMSIDE) and Judith Stuber enter into a deep resonance with Roman Schonsee's powerful voice (it still resembles PYOGENESIS), one oscillating between the Dark aggressiveness and Goth's unaffectedness, therefore we can experience as extremely pleasant the low timber of the exercises in vocalization! The guitars sound very energetic, the keyboard is all over, the rhythm of the battery is a simple but drawing one, everything is superb! Despite its commercial scent, SATYRIAN's sound doesn't part with the Dark dimension, moreover, the romantic & classic orchestration mix alongside the shades of Wave and Rock Atmospheric stand out an exceptional album in the end! Even if the guitar riffs sound more Metal than Rock, we cannot label SATYRIAN as a Metal band. But, sincerely, it doesn't matter at all: does Atmospheric Dark Goth/Rock ring any captivating bells to you? Cause that's my sense out of it...
www.satyrian.com
ROME (LUX) - "Berlin" CDM'06 (6 tracks, 17. 47 min) (COLD MEAT)
How odd: the band is named ROME, it comes from Luxembourg and the mini - album is entitled "Berlin"!!! A beautiful CDM, Apocalyptic Folk and meditative Neo-Folk, with a masculine voice equally imposing and warm, cordial, on the whole a calm sound, without any shade of aggressiveness... ultimately, six short tracks brimful with unique nostalgic elements. Do not get lured into believing that the atmosphere solely awakens nostalgia! We enjoy several influences, starting with Ambient, Dark, Industrial, and deepening into martial, noise or Post Folk. A genuine surprise, therefore I am eager to get to listen to their official debut, one that has been announced in the very near time! Indeed interesting.
TIAMAT - "The Church Of Tiamat" DVD'06 (METAL MIND)
I truly enjoyed this DVD! I felt exactly as if I would have been live at John Edlung's concert, held on January 2005 in Poland! The sound is ok, the imagery is perfect, the crowd is tremendous, everything seems faultless! It's a collection piece, especially for the fact that all the classical videos are included, among which "Gaia" is by far from another planet!
ANATHEMA - "A Moment n Time" DVD'06 (METAL MIND)
The concerts held at Kraków in 2004, respectively at the Metalmania gig in 2006 have been recorded and now they are offered to the fans, along with videos, interviews and other usual DVD accessories. There are also additional offerings, like DVD plus CD, yet the important thing is that you can also listen the renowned cover - versions Fleetwood Mac or Pink Floyd. Moreover, you can hear / see the Bacchus String Quartet, meaning four figures from the London Philharmonic Orchestra, therefore you can enjoy plenty of violins and cellos. Thence, an elegant material, saturated in interesting details for every ANATHEMA admirer, one piece that should be shared in your collection.
BALAMUC zine
Titus Constantinescu sent me two of his zines, entertaining hopes that I'll write something about them. Honestly, there is no knowing whether he was interested in my opinion regarding the first two Balamuc issues or it was only about making it easier for the others to read my thoughts towards his effort materialized in those two publications. Both might be an answer too... Nevermind. We are dealing with a genuine fanzine, meaning about 30 A5 xerox pages, showing out a deplorable layout and a primitive imagery. There are also various caricatures, fun texts and decent jokes. I find the release of this fanzine salutary, especially because Titus identified a Rockin' debate line less used in underground: the humour! I admit some of his stories (particularly the adventure he experienced with the Greeks from Womb of Maggots in Romania) amused me, yet I wonder why did he forgot the funny approach in the reviews section, poor as it is, for the sake of giving his publication some logic. Bah, he might answer: "non - logical, that's the precise key." My expectations were higher in what concerns the interview he made with himself (it sounds so peculiar, yet very funny), but probably that's the path he chose for making public his crossroad with the Metal dimension. We can find all kind of commentaries, reader's section, even an editorial (in issue no. 2), poor and pathetic - if we are to relate it to the general smart and inspired pattern of the publication; moreover, there are relaxing interviews with various bands' figures starting with GOTHIC and MAGICA, till LET ME DREAM, PUNGENT STENCH or RAISON D'ETRE; Titus also invited the outer bands in Romania, within the framework of another project of his, one promoted more and more actively. Once again I got disappointed... why? For the fact that some interviews were too sober (for example Raison D'Etre), while others seemed rather poor. The interview with the bisexual rocker was a sore failure, and I refer to the outcome rather than to the dialogue idea. Well, it took me about one hour to do some reading on the two issues, but here and there I got relaxed and it suited me fine. I appreciate Titus's attempt to point out that Metal doesn't necessarily entail black T - shirts, leather clothes mold on the bodies, tons of bracelets and buckles taking gravitational action on the already leaden - hued and crossed walk of the morose, nihilist and misanthrope rocker - the one endlessly in quest of isolation, daily ignorance and transcendental abysses disclosing doubtful depressions. Time will tell if he succeeded or not. Personally, I only find the first issue somehow explosive, 'cause the second enters a more sober approach, bringing some plus professional writings, common for Metal promotion, a more coherent layout and a better printing quality. Though, I truly believe that, given the Romanian void of magazines/fanzines, any new publication exhibits some interest, therefore certain uproar! I guess the impact could be bigger, since it is written in Romanian, yet not big enough to get profitable. But hey, Titus, it's better than wasting money on 7UP (I twig that alcohol is still a taboo ?), so just "anchor" them in your magazine... as it harbours your Ego and self - content... fancy that you're not the only one trying more and more often to uphold the Metal spirit, weakened by the modern tendencies to consumption... Let's see your no. 3, somewhere during autumn, am I right? Yet, it would be auspicious to revive the first issue's relaxing chat! There are plenty of reviewing specialists and pale interviews, you know...
dark_distro@yahoo.com
THE GATHERING (HOL) - "Home" CD'06 (13 tracks, 60. 25 min) (THE END)
Another band with a mighty return, as the new album, even if it's more experimental, has appeal and shows some extremely elegant sonorities! Even if Anneke's voice is unique and purely fantastic on this new material, the album doesn't seem to hold any link to Metal and this makes me keep the details to myself. Probably the "Mandylion" era has burned up for good, not to mention their splendid "...always" debut. I only care to say that the Alternative Trip Experimental Rock, touching Ethereal/Goth and Psyhedelic shades, with plenty of Dark marks, performed by the Dutch is a very inspired and original one; still, the feminine voice lasts as the key element. Starting with The Cranberries and voyaging to Kate Bush, in an extremely commercial form, THE GATHERING presents us through "Home", a relaxing music, better and more mystical than the one on the previous albums... unfortunately, there is no Metal scent!
IMPALED NAZARENE (FIN) - "Pro Patria Finlandia" CD'06 (14 tracks, 38. 11 min)(OSMOSE/THE END)
After fifteen years of activity and eight albums, the five Finns are now presenting a new material, probably one of their weakest releases! If we concentrate over the instrumental performance we'll be able to spare some words of praise, but when we get to the conceptual, originality or inspirational level there are no terms for expressing my disillusionment. I came to the point of listening to an infantile and linear mix of Black Thrash and Speed Metal, with aggressive vocals, extremely energetic guitar riffs, explosive, but wearisome rhythm! Nothing original, zero distinction: KREATOR would get envious on such an album! Not to mention MARDUK or MOTORHEAD! Even the Punk echoes from the previous albums (disturbing for my ears) have vanished! Sad...
www.impnaz.com
AGALLOCH (US) - "Ashes Against The Grain" CD'06 (8 tracks, 59. 51 min) (GRAU/THE END)
Several years had to elapse in order to find out whether "The mantle" can be outshined! Well, this summer harboured the answer... but what did we come across! That AGALLOCH carry along the ardent inspiration of their lands, or that the music they create highly reflects upon deep isolation and contemplation (nothing new so far)! Their Doom Death Black Progressive Metal sonorities enliven various atmospheric intermezzos - from Neo Folk or Post Rock, to Industrial and Ambient - conceived as long, original and elaborated tracks, even if we can spot some resemblances with OPETH, early KATATONIA or PARADISE LOST. The question lives on obsessively: is this album better than the other? And I keep on listening the new tracks carefully. That's how I come to "Fire Above, Ice Below", ten minutes of splendid music, where John's normal voice reigns over the atmosphere created by some acoustic guitars that chain you to a fascinating dimension... "Not Unlike The Waves" doesn't excel in any way, it is placed somewhere in AGALLOCH's average line, and afterwards we meet a long but inspired finale (probably rooted within the three chapters of the last track on "Omnio"), named "Our Fortress Is Burning" presenting three parts, the first one based on a superb acoustic, followed by an extremely nostalgic and depressing "Bloodbirds" where, once again, the guitars cast an intangible melancholic aura, broken by the aggressive voice that seems to smash everything around it by the instruments; finally, we have a intricate ambient part, called "The Grain", igniting certain rapture to those belonging to the Noise/Industrial universe. Before telling you if this is the best album in AGALLOCH's existence, I am bounded to listen once more to the first two pieces "Limbs" and "Falling Snow", complex tracks within which all the instruments are enlivened and the Metal dimension thrones. Indeed, we have beautiful tracks, a beauteous album, distinctive and prolonged guitar riffs... still, "The Mantle" hasn't been outshined! Why? 'Cause the aggressive voice hasn't evolved (sometimes it turns too linear), the New doesn't have a striking presence... yet, we have AGALLOCH, a magnificent band, probably the best on that continent! I relate to them critically because I am very fond of them and I expect perfection! Yet, probably this is their Metal limit! Even if I won't rate them at the utmost, this album will be a time and again pleasant audition for me! It is a distinctive Dark Progressive Metal!
www.agalloch.org, www.grau.cd
LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE (GER) - "Filthy Notes For Frozen Hearts" CD'06 (13 tracks, 47. 26 min)(NAPALM)
What a band used to be this one! A pure depressive Doom Death Metal, a perfect reflection of MY DYING BRIDE! Times are bygone and, yet, striving against the commercial trend is just a trifling detail for the majority. The Dark scent is still present, but the new sound disappoints me, if I am to consider it as a bearer of the solemn, underground, sonorities! To be more concise: are you looking for HIM, THE 69 EYES, SENTENCED or TYPE O'NEGATIVE? This album brings you plenty of them! The Germans' Pop/Rock is a very rhythmic one, incendiary for the live acts, full of melody, rhythm and atmosphere! You have 13 new tracks, easily suiting for MTV or other commercial TV channels as they cannot trouble anyone... eventually, on coffee break, you can pace your foot into their rhythms... and, this way, you witness how everyone in the coffee house metamorphose into rockers instantly! I guess even DEPECHE MODE's fans will enjoy these sonorities... The band abandoned the path of introvert messages, as their current wave hits towards the long awaited success... even though they are barely a HIM copy - paste, somehow lighter and plus melodious, rooted in SISTERS OF MERCY... despite the guitars still aiming to lure LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE's connection with the Metal dimension. Finally, listening to this album might be an inspired choice if you need to consume fast - food Rock!
WELTENBRAND (LIE) - "The End Of The Wizard" CD'06 (9 tracks, 51. 18 min)(NAPALM)
Oliver Falk has founded this project ten years ago and I remember that, back those times, Richard Lederer's debut was an inspiration oasis for many musicians. As WELTENBRAND's debut has been made at the same label as DVKE's, Witchhunt Records, the similitude between the two bands left its marks on their history. Moreover, the second release of both WELTENBRAND and DVKE came out at Oliver's label, M.O.S., followed by some successful tours. From there, their paths cross apart, as DVKE continues as a CULT band, while WELTENBRAND experiments another label, a bit more underground! The destiny assigned them once again at the same label, this time a big one, and their new albums are released at near times. Let's concentrate on this very sextet: based on the myths and the stories of a rather virtual world, still linked to Lichtenstein lands, the Dark Wave presented on the fifth album is a very bombastic and atmospheric one, the keyboard and the violin throne over the sound, while Dina Zambelii and Ritchie Wenaweser's calm and romantic voices open the gate towards a dreamland. It is an appealing, elegant and very romantic album, yet somehow linear and weary. I might be wrong, but "The French And The Wine" track resembles a lot the last piece of PENITENT's debut "Melancholia". On certain frames, Ritchie's voice turns wearisome, as the modulations shape an embarrassing misinterpretation, especially on most low tones. I expected more from these musicians, their Neo Dark Classic style raptures the hearing... it's just that the rapture fades away after several auditions... in the long run, we are dealing with a well - performed album, slightly above the previous ones and that's all it is!
www.weltenbrand.li
ASHRAM (ITA) - "Shining Silver Skies" CD'06 (14 tracks, 44. 30 min)(EQUILIBRIUM)
After a rather unknown debut, the three Italians returned with a new and elegant Neo - Classical release, a mixture of soundtrack and classical music, where the only instruments are to be the violin, the cello and the piano. Moreover, Sergio's calm voice seals the difference between the usual chamber music and ASHRAM. Until now, I haven't listened to such a sound among the bands I promote, but I'm glad I had the opportunity to spare a few rows to ASHRAM, even if it's not my ground to instill a detailed review. A superb atmosphere, a rapturous frame of mind and soul... pity that monotony nestles at one time, and the "intellectual" passages turn identical. I sincerely admit that the three's music veils within a romantic, melancholic and dreamy aura.
V/A - "Metalmania 2005" DVD'06 (METAL MIND)
An audio-visual aid, containing an audio CD with Polish bands such as: THUNDERBOLT, HERMH, QUO VADIS or VALINOR, and a DVD presenting famous bands that have concerted at Metalmania gig, on its 2005 edition. Therefore, we can see at work bands as: DARK FUNERAL, DARZAMAT, AMON AMARTH, APOCALYPTICA, THE HAUNTED and, naturally, the peerless ARCTURUS!!! Excellent stuff for the collectors.
SUB LUNA (SWE) - "In The Shade Of Time" DCD'06 (10 tracks, 44. 03 min+27. 11 min)(DAGAZ)
Dark/Folk with Pop/lounge influences, and also with psychedelic shadows (some frames remind me of PINK FLOYD), charming masculine voices, acoustic guitars veiled in harmony and nostalgia, impressive atmospheric effects, all sealed in a beautifully dark draconian gloom. If I bring out the fact that the two Swedes' album has been recorded and mixed at Erebus Odora studio, the one belonging to Peter Bjargo (ARCANA, SOPHIA), then it all becomes obvious that we are dealing with a musical jewel, even if it is just a debut. Moreover, the digipack is ultra elegant and you can also enjoy an extra CD, with several tracks recorded formerly, that sound even more experimental than these recent ones. Hence, quality music, even though the two left out originality.
LUNA AD NOCTUM (POL) - "The Perfect Evil In Mortal" CD'06 (9 tracks, 43. 05 min)(METAL MIND)
The Polish didn't give up, instead they returned with a third album, conceived in the same Lunar Black Metal way as the previous ones. The style is labeled by themselves, so let's leave it that way. Still, what are they singing? Extremely aggressive Black Metal, entwined with a keyboard that lades the sound with a symphonic shade, all together in a Dark Metal dimension. Even if it's linear and wearisome, the sound is an explosive one, reminding me of "Moon in the Scorpio", but let's keep the proportions objectively. Or, better said, Polish LIMBONIC ART! Many tend to compare this band with Dimmu or Cradle, yet I cannot identify any common element... except, perhaps, the liberated energy! Finally, a modest album, lacking personality but sounding good!
COMITY (US) - "...as everything is a tragedy" CD'06 (9 tracks, 55. 39 min)(CANDLELIGHT)
There's no meaning for me in this NYHC music! Actually, it's a prolonged noise, mostly brutal, without any healthy logic. There are a few domestic fragments, softer ones, but on the whole it doesn't seem to be a traditional album. We can spot many well - known Black Metal influences, also Death, Noise and Grind elements predominant in the first part of the album, while the second one turns out more accessible; my feeling is that the five interpreters have some musical ideas of their own, but they chose to express themselves in a very intricate and sinister way, a nonconformist and unfamiliar one. The voices are extremely aggressive, the guitars stand as a proof of their good skills, it's just that they prefer to play, throwing a shadow on quality and virtuosity. Solely one word to end this review: odd!
STONEGARD (NOR) - "Arrows" CD'06 (10 tracks, 35. 20 min)(CANDLELIGHT)
A very boring Doom, Heavy, Stoner Rock and Thrash hybrid. A clumsy and rather trolling voice, suitable for tedious Progressive, a giddy battery, the guitars play absurd lines, yet one seems to try capturing some Swedish Melodic Death Metal frames. We are dealing with a sort of Norwegian Meshuggah, either too weary and light, or much too noisy and aggressive, a true musical amalgam, original all right... but there's nothing more to it.
OBTEST (LIT) - "Is Kartos I Karta" CD'05 (9 tracks, 43. 27 min)(LEDO TAKAS)
The third album of these Lithuanians is the most powerful among their releases, as the sound gains freshness by veiling Black Metal in Pagan/Heathen War Heavy Metal raiment. The tracks are raised on a more dynamic foundation, entailing highly rapid riffs, martial rhythms (I would have called them hymns, but the Epic element is only outlined in some of the choirs), normal, yet imposing, masculine vocals, lyrics written in their very own language... everything sounds stimulating, bringing the traditional aspects on the first line! A stylish album, full of atmosphere and energy! The Heavy Metal elements are primarily led by the guitars - they are OBTEST's music seal! Even if my ears haven't been flattered by something new, I can say these are very talented and skilled musicians! An album above average, by far!
URSKUMUG (LIT) - "Am Nodr" CD'06 (8 tracks, 41. 37 min)(LEDO TAKAS)
Another pure Black Metal band, attaching its seal to the tribal element. I didn't get enlightened regarding the distinction between normal Black Metal and the Tribal these guys are performing, except perhaps certain background sound effects. Otherwise, extreme aggressiveness, raw vocals, I wonder the guitars haven't turn into ashes, yet their speed and handling style are somehow linear. We might refer to Speed Black Metal, elaborated as a rendering, but not from the conceptual point of view. It sounds good, yet something's missing... what could it be? Naturally, originality and the new!
AXAMENTA (BEL) - "Ever-Arch-I-Tech-Ture" CD'06 (13 tracks, 63. 57 min)(SHIVER)
And I thought this band was on the deadlock... Well, it seems that Hans, the head of Shiver label, drew the winning number with this very album, as it is a "heavy" one. So, the five Belgian's transformed the usual Black Metal into an elaborated Dark Metal, full of modern and progressive elements, culminating with a Modern Metal jewel. Concentrating on the instrumentation, everything sounds perfect: plentiful keyboard, bombastic choral effects, powerful piano, Heavy melodious and speed guitars, masterly bass, ardent battery. The voices transgress from the aggressive ones, we may say Black, to the normal level which sometimes sound far too puerile, in a trolling manner characteristic for Progressive... We have a genuine Progressive track, very slow, rather a ballad, sounding very good yet diverted from the rest of the pieces or, better said, from the complex Dark Metal concept. On this particular track also attends Daniel Gildenlow, PAIN OF SALVATION's vocalist. After several auditions, I came to the conclusion that AXAMENTA tends to modulate its approach under BAL-SAGOTH's influences, another intricate band. It doesn't reach as pure Black as the British band, but the multitude of background effects ignites this comparison to me. We are dealing with a more progressive but well conceived BAL-SAGOTH, if I may say so. I enjoyed this album a lot, but, unfortunately, the vocal parts are far away from the instrumentation's eminence! There should have been more modulations, variations, I know for sure that there is still a void. Anyway, the Belgians deserve a chance, especially for the fact that this latest album has nothing to do with the previous' modesty and lack of authenticity!
VIA MISTICA (POL) - "Under My Eyelids" CD'06 (15 tracks, 57. 13 min)(METAL MIND)
Another attempt from this band, the third one! I was hoping to discover a real Doom Gothic Metal jewel, as I was familiar with Kaske's special voice! It seems that my expectations went a bit to high, still we cannot talk about a modest album. The intro casts us into Twin Peaks' obscurity, as the Polish lay their mark on Angelo Badalamenti's piece, "Into The Night", allowing a gothic veil to fall over making it sound good enough, yet, there's no point to compare it with Julie Christie's. After the intro, we are swallowed up by an extremely atmospheric Metal, over which the beautiful feminine voice dominates, despite the fact they fail into creating the inspired contrast when the various masculine vocals make their appearance. The guitars sound fine, same does the keyboard, but the cello and violin presence personalize the music and diversify the audition. The piano is also in the front line, reaching an excellent resonance with the voices. I cannot say that VIA MISTICA made a hit with this album because something is missing... I'd say strength! Anyway, it worth listening this Gothic Doom Metal sample!
OLD (NOR) - "Down With The Nails" CD'06 (9 tracks, 34. 16 min)(PEACEVILLE)
Sharing the same musical path as AURA NOIR, but more focused on Black than Thrash Metal, the five Norwegians release their first album in force, reminding me of VENOM, SODOM, POSSESSED or CELTIC FROST. On the other hand, OLD seems to enjoy Nocturno Culto and Fenriz's support, therefore the present album is intensely promoted. I haven't spot anything special or original in OLD's sound, solely raw Black Metal, in its brutal and aggressive shape, or, to put it this way, DARK THRONE's cadet... They probably go to concerts hand in hand, seconding that Raw Black Metal still exists, in its utter underground form, without any modern, bombastic or atmospheric elements.
ALWA GLEBE (GER) - "Irrlichter" CD'05 (9 tracks, 43. 14 min)(CUPTOSE)
A very poetical project, veiling plenty of philosophical ideas, not only dark, but also melancholic. Alwa Glebe's superb voice opens us the gate towards an intricate, dramatic Wave Experimental universe. Even though the tracks are sang in German, sadness and emotion veil the sound, portraying desolation. It isn't Rock, neither Metal, nor Dark Wave... solely ALWA GLEBE and her music, sculpturing an inward message that transcends over the solitary, unknown and depressing world.
ALWA GLEBE (GER) - "Debut" CD'06 (10 tracks, 37. 02 min)(CUPTOSE)
Alwa is a legendary figure for the New Wave scene, especially for the fact that, back in 1979, she initiated INDEX SIGN project, releasing two albums at No Fun label; moreover, her band has joined a tour with Simple Minds, and hold on collaborations with several musical projects from Germany, Scotland or US. At the beginning of the 90's, she decided to focus on her solo career, and thus this very debut came to life, in 1998. The ones from Cuptose decided to re-release it now, and so the ten tracks are slightly different from the previous. It might be more dramatic and solemn, as the piano plays the main role and communicates in a sad dimension with Alwa's poetical voice. At least "Im Schmerz" track turned me into pieces! Another dimension, a peculiar music, a realm of itself... distinctive!
DOMINION (UK) - "Treshold-A Retrospective" CD'06 (18 tracks, 79. 01 min)(PEACEVILLE)
Much to my surprise, I've never shared a word about this band. Peaceville let me find out that, at the beginning of the 90's this band left a mark on the Metal scene back then, making two albums and recording them at the legendary Academy studio. Moreover, Aaron Stainthorpe/MY DYING BRIDE was a guest on their first release "Interface". Michelle Richfield's voice brings ANATHEMA or ANTIMATTER to my mind, while Danny North reminds me of SEAR... If I continue and tell you also that Bill Law resembles MY DYING BRIDE (I refer to their most uninspired album), then you can imagine that DOMINION has been a less talented and fortunate band which hasn't brought out anything remarkable, even if they existed in the same time frame as ANATHEMA and MY DYING BRIDE did (their time of glory we may say). The intricate Metal they are performing might be an explanation for all that, as it shades plenty of Death, Atmospheric, Hardcore, Punk and Power elements... We have a mix of several tracks from the two albums along with others that have never been released, plus a long story of the band's existence. Except the feminine voice that stands for itself, all is fade and deserted. Even though the band ceased to exist, I am sure some will find this post DOMINION tribute interesting. Not in my case.
ABBILDUNG (ROM) - "Dunkles Wissenschaftliches Sachverhalten" CD'06 (6 tracks, 44. 54 min)(ESSENTIA MUNDI)
An Experimental Dark Ambient project from Sibiu, one that surprised me fine, conceptually rather than as a musical approach. Accessing C's website, you'll unveil another world, probably his source of inspiration materialized in several forms: musical projects, philosophical wonderings or shaped into a label, distro or webzine. Obviously, underground thrones over all of them, strengthened with self - confidence and bestride, therefore it kept my interest. I have found out he had made some reference to Kogaionon in his webzine, yet I don't recall whether we have ever come into contact. To make a long story short, it worth entering his website, given the multitude of information hosted there, including some photographs, simple and beautiful landscapes, probably from Cisnadioara, a splendid place that I use to wander at least one time a year! As far as the music is concerned, Casian's Dark Ambient is an introspective one, alike the Cold Meat Industry's, uncovering a distant COPH NIA scent, strange and simple more within its compositional structure, than in what concerns the effects. THY VEILS could be used as a comparison, but let's not overstep the bounds. An interesting idea, enlivened in an inspired way, with slight shades of monotony, one that can only be relished when entering a certain state and solely in solitude. Remember to watch a video, also included on the CD. I like the fact this individual is involved in plenty of projects, not only musical, still ones gravitating around the Black/Death/Thrash Metal and Dark/Ambient scene. He's connected with several underground bands, of which we may also hear in the future. I regret I cannot say more about ABBILDUNG for the moment, yet, it worth knowing that meanwhile he also released a compilation named "Frozen Light", therefore you can enjoy besides some pieces of his projects - ABBILDUNG and FRACTALED - other obscure Dark Ambient bands which I've never heard before. Press click on www.abbildung.ro and you'll wander for at least half an hour another realm (ABBILDUNG, ESSENTIA MUNDI, ANCIENT BELIEFS), not by all means darker, but distinctive. Remember listening to this very CD along your journey.
