REVIEWS
January-March 2005
DRACONIAN (SWE) - "Arcane Rain Fell" CD '05
(8 tracks, 60min 28 sec)(NAPALM)
A very interesting album! Not because of the conception, but because of the atmosphere... MY DYING BRIDE's fans will be able to savour in silence this successful demonstration of Dark Doom Death, melancholic, depressive and decadent. If I would tell you that this album made me think about a new number of the magazine? About the album I didn't write words of praise because "Where Lovers Mourn" was a modest, shy step and without personality. The new sequences store in them another kind of energy, that gives out a mystic aura and if we go on the texts' thread, we discover themes that gravitate round the falling/decadence of angels. Even if they were founded in 1994 under the name KERBEROS, the Swedens haven't had a path full of success and I'm afraid they will have no chance of victory after this album either. The Doom Death approached by the seven ones is a complex one, absolutely not original, with male voices, clear but modest female voices, abundant keyboard/synth, long, an extremely slow rhythm, heavy guitars, drums, bass... it is some kind of gloomy grey, that perfectly matches with what can be seen on the cover. I am asking myself: why didn't they release this album some years ago? I am sure it would have had abundant reviews... today, when everybody looks for rhythm, colour, energy, dynamism (and I refer to the trend), DRACONIAN comes with a Dark Gothic Metal which focuses on only a few nostalgics of the passed times... Fortunately for me, I found myself too in this old universe, often forgotten by a lot of people, but which defeated me again. And the re-recording of the song "Death, Come Near Me", the longest track of the album (15min), but also the most popular song of the band, develops a exceptional Epic orientation!!! If we look at the album on the whole, it is a little bit upon the average, with a lot of monotonous and identical sequences, but with other impressive ones. Technical detail: as a special guest we find Ryan Henry, from the American band NECARE.
AUTUMN'S GREY SOLACE (US) - "Over the Ocean" CD '04
(12 tracks, 45min 44sec)(PROJEKT)
A style of music that's truly for total relaxation: Ethereal Shoegazer Darkwave! A mixture of MIRA, LOVE SPIRAL DOWNARDS, SIDDAL and THE COCTEAU TWINS! Erin Welton has a very warm, angelic voice, a dreaming voice that can slowly be set on the "floating" accords developed by an electric guitar, a mandolin, a meditative keyboard and "light" drums, elegantly shaped by Scott Ferrell, the other member of the band. As a conclusion: much better interpreted then the debut "Within The Depths of a Darkened Forest", "Over the Ocean" consolidates the name of this band which seems to have a lot to say in the future. It deserves to be listened!
DARK SUNS (GER) - "Existence" CD '05
(11 tracks, 77min 54sec)(PROPHECY)
The debut of these Germans, "Swanlike", three years ago, was somewhere in the OPETH zone, because the Melodic Death Metal done by the five rockers seemed a lot like the accords of Mike's band, including the extreme voice, characteristic for this style. But also there can be distinguished some Progressive elements, just like in the Swedish band's case. After they signed with Prophecy, the ones from DARK SUNS became a lot more calm in rendition, so on the new album we can't distinguish a single agressive voice. Everything is now calm, clear, complex Progressive Metal, well-structured, with as clear as crystal male voices, normal and with some Dark remnants, but which are dominated by atmospherical elements a lot better brought into prominence. The whole instrumentation sounds perfectly, which proves an incontestable profesionalism. Probably the PORCUPINE TREE fans should be surprised by this album and it should become a piece in their collection. For me, the shifting from Dark Metal to Progressive Psyhedelic Rock scares me a bit and makes me feel pretty circumspect concerning the future of this band seen from the Metallica angle. Otherwise, probably DARK SUNS won't miss the Progressive festivals from all Europe and will take part from another emisphere, much wider and more popular, but not as mystical and dark as the one I prefer. I don't think is worth insisting on the DARK SUNS subject, as long as the Rock dimension dominates the Metalic one.
KLIMT 1918 (ITA) - "Dopoguerra" CD '05
(10 tracks, 41min 56sec)(PROPHECY)
I don't know which way they are tending to go these Italians, but the new Pop/Rock approach astonished me! A band that passes from Dark Metal to THE BEATLES, U2, THE CURE, THE POLICE and TEARS FOR FEARS influences clearly has a great problem: of personality; or, more correctly, a personality crisis. Logically we can think permissive, making some indulgent connections with KATATONIA or ANATHEMA, but even this way, this kind of music is to be seen at San Remo or Eurovision!!! If you want to try THE CRANBERRIES, but with male voice (that trolls off the songs, by the way!), then this album can be the perfect choice. I don't even want to try to find the good parts of the album, because they would have nothing to do with the extreme styles about which I continue to write. KLIMT 1918 sang another tune and for me this band has disappeared. In a pub maybe this kind of music could be remarked by some disco fans, who remember that once upon a time, long ago... they were furious rockers! This is the reason why I chose to do this review!
GLOOMY GRIM (FIN) - "The Grand Hammering" CD '05
(10 tracks, 39min 16 sec)(HOLY)
Agathon hasn't grown up, despite of over 20 years of music activity! The Horror Black Metal developed by him goes back to the roots in this album, letting the atmospheric sequences for other musicians! More violent and linear than the previous album, with Trash Metal tendences, with violent voice, riffs of gloomy guitars, an unique keyoard but which is now pale, the Finn hasn't come with anything new, even with the incontestable oldness which he has in this scene... Too bad for the lack of inspiration, surprisely the band still exists. But I doubt it will resist if it continues to create fade, modest sequences, in which only the Horror side gives a soberness and originality to this sound (see the intro "Corpse Of Doom"). And even the cover of the album denotes superficiality, maybe even an infantile Metal...
RAPTURE (FIN) - "Silent Stage" CD '05
(9 tracks, 41min 25sec)(SPIKEFARM)
The first two albums of the five Finns, "Futile" and "Songs For The Withering" have received positive feedbacks, RAPTURE becoming an interesting name for a lot of people. If the debut presented us a funeral Melancholic Doom Death Metal, slow but a real jewellery for that time, the next step insisted on the Gothic Death side, combining guttural voices with normal ones and the rhythm has grown in intensity, the final sound being a digestible one by more people. After three years, the vocalist's Petri band comes with other 9 atmospheric songs, with a lot of life and energy, insisting now on a PARADISE LOST dynamism, but keeping something from the actual KATATONIA. The same spectrum is valid in voices' case too, the normal ones reminding of the Swedish band and the guttural ones to the old Nick Holmes. One with another, the normal ones sound more natural than the agressive ones, which seem forced, even if this concept of contrast is the base of alternation. The keyboard is pretty insistent, the guitars sound really good, the Gothic Metal rhythm being very well emphasized, despite of the high lack of originality. But I found some accords from the most of the Finnsh bands of this kind, like FRAGILE HOLLOW, SHAPE OF DESPAIR, THY SERPENT... all the members of the band have been collaborators in this projects. I enjoyed the audition of this album, but I'm sure I'll listen it again not very early.
NAE'BLIS (SWE) - "Beyond the Light" CD'05
(7 tracks, 44min 43sec)(NO COLOURS)
Depressive Black Metal in primitive version, underground, not modern at all but full of charm. Even if the recording and the way it was immixed are mediocre, Magnus Wohlfart succeeded in surprising me in an extremely pleasant way with this debut! His activity is pretty intense, projects like FOLKEARTH, YGGDRASIL, BROKKEN DAGGER or TRYMHEIM being eloquent examples. I remember that ten years ago, a completely unknown band was succeeding in making an exceptional album at the German label, which was at the beginning, too. Its name was DIMMU BORGIR... After so many years, NO COLOURS succeeds in finding in the Swedish scene a new Black Metal project of high quality, at least concerning the conception and the way it was approached. I would bet on NAE'BLIS and, with more support, we could expect a lot more. Going back to the music, I could say that the underground sound feels like home, the guitars and the extremely thick and brutal Black voice (maybe even desperate) remind me of BURZUM and the keyboard, very intelligently used, but not abundantly, outlines the original and unconventional melodic line. If I would tell you that the slow rhythm and the icy atmosphere given out by this sound sketches melancholic elements too, would you believe me? And let's not talk about the seclusion state, isolation, depression... excelent concept! An atmospheric journey to leave this world behind... and enter the world beyond the light.
NOKTURNAL MORTUM (UKR) - "Weltanschauung" CD '05
(14 tracks, 74min 55 sec)(NO COLOURS)
They are breaking up, they are not... a lot of rumours about Varggoth'a band have existed, a well-known musician with elitist, radical visions... let's call them Ariane. And yet he reached the album no.6, despite of the massive changes of structure and labels. Maybe these rumours led to the re-editing of all the albums, or was it a marketing strategy? O.K., let's talk about music. This album is more complex than all the other ones, simply the best, with a lot of new elements, with strong roots in Pagan, Folk and Ethno, with traditional Ukrainian elements, but excellently harmonized and combined on the own Atmospheric Black Metal stave. It's not as bombastic as "Lunar Poetry", not as flowing as "The Taste Of Victory", not as brutal as "Nekrist", but I know it has specific elements for this sound from all five albums. Although very long, the album does not allow you to breathe or to get bored, it sooner annoys you with a lot of non-Metal elements, and this determinates you to listen to it a couple of times. On one hand, the new chapter satisfied my fantastic desire to listen again a real NOKTURNAL MORTUM, but on the other hand, it's too crowded with unconventional torments, which tired me. Maybe I am wrong or maybe this concept was not very well structured, with the 12 songs they could have made two albums, with different manner of approach. But, sincerely, it's better to suffocate because of too much music than to draw every simplistic accord, fooling myself it could have been worse. And the recording of the album is pretty precarious... in a profesional studio and with a large budget, "Weltanschauung" would have been a bomb for the whole Metal scene, not only for the underground! Otherwise, the Ukrainian traditional elements sound very alike with the Romanian ones (because we are neighbours!!!), so you can realise why I am so pleased with this Metal mixed with traditional folklore!!! Really special... one of the most serious albums of the year! And I have another thing to say: Varggoth should have used a normal voice more, not only screams... if it's wedding, then it should be wedding until the end!!!
MOONSORROW (FIN) - "Verifakeet" CD' 05
(9 tracks, 70min 39sec)(SPIKEFARM)
The Finns don't contest themselves and go on on the same Epic Heathen Metal line, but not at all as good as on "Kivenkantaja". More correctly, I think that MOONSORROW have done everything that could be done with this style and now they just repeat with other accords what they have been doing for many years. I remember that all their albums received very good marks in Kogaionon and this because this style, with roots in BATHORY, is one of the ones that I prefer. In this case we are talking about 4 long songs of over 14 minutes each and a shorter, traditional fifth one that has nothing in common with Metal... its choice seems a bit forced to me as well as its bonding with 4 Epic songs, that sound pretty alike. The sequences can be considered battle hymns, with a lot of atmosphere, bombastic, full of folk Finnish elements, but inlaid in a melodious and rhythmic Black Metal frame... but their length becomes tiring, giving to the listener the sensation of bore and repetition. As a strong point, I consider the song "Jotunheim" the best from the whole MOONSORROW activity, that easely can be distinghuished and overhelms the one who wants to be carried by an Epic aura with taste of "glorious past"... Conclusion: a good album for the Metal scene, but too monotonous for MOONSORROW.
LONGING FOR DAWN (CAN) - "One Lonely Path" CD '05
(5 tracks, 53min 46sec)(TWILIGHT FOUNDATION)
I haven't listened for a long time an album released by a Canadian band! I admit I was pretty curious to see what this debutant band can do, and its album looks pretty good: blue digipack, pleasant cover, provocative presentation: : "Canada's Unique Atmospheric Doom Metal". Maybe for Canada this sound is unique, but for Europe, SKEPTICISM clones abundantly exist. 4 from the 5 songs are extremely long, over 10 minutes each, with grave, slow, crushing and heavy riffs, which are combined with melodic, even melancholic scents, but atmospheric, too. It's a very successful album if we look at it from Doom Metal's point of view, or, better said, Slow Depressive Funeral Metal. Frederic's voice (CYCLIC LAW label) is angry and hoarse all the time, the guitars are very slow, the atmosphere is pretty somber and pessimistic... The songs are pretty alike, and because of this there are some monotony scents, the voice is the same on the whole album - maybe he should have tried other different modulations - common accords, that seems like entering in a routine... I don't really know what to say. It's a neat album, with the song "Ashes Of Innocence" excellently thought, in which the melancholy that's given off outlines an uplifting aura, which deserves to be listened, at least because it's a debut. A bit over the average, "One Lonely Path" can become one of the best albums of this genre in Canada.
ORDER OF THE EBON HAND (GRE) - "XV: The Devil" CD '05
(9 tracks, 47min 44sec)(SEASON OF MIST)
The Hellenic Black Metal scene have given powerful names, like NECROMANTIA, VARATHRON, SEPTIC FLESH, ROTTING CHRIST or NIGHTFALL. The beginnings of these bands were at the early 90's, when the Metal movement in that part of Europe represented a strong focus, together with Norway. And about then time this group was formed, leaded by Merkaal (NOCTERNITY) and Lethe (sporadic partner at some bands that I've just mentioned). After a modest debut in 1997, the band broke up, the military service being the main reason. From 2001 the three Greek (with Phlaigon) have pained to finish this album and, after they signed with the Finnish label, they come now with a modest sample, out-dated but energetic of Orthodox Black Metal (how supid it sounds!!!). It seems like the three ones haven't succeeded in riving from the previous millenium, because their music is a "fuggy" one. This album hasn't pleased me at all, maybe only the fact that I remembered about the good times of the bands promoted by the UNISOUND label, when "Non Serviam" was keeping alive these modest bands that were appearing all the time but without personality. If you want to listen to a fluent Black Metal, full of atmosphere, with dynamic keyboard, heavy guitars, Black voices and abundant bass, then this trio can be a good example. If you want to go back in time and breathe something from the Greek Black Metal trend of 15 years ago, the choice is good. But if you want to listen some Black Metal from the third millenium, then avoid this opus. Even the cover is an infantile one, as well as the old-fashioned logo.
ANTICHRISIS (GER) - "A Legacy Of Love Mark II" CD '05
(11 tracks, 73min 22sec)(REARTONE)
Sometimes I have to admit that the re-recordings are good at something. Sid decided, after an extremely weak and disco album, "Perfume", to revive better thoughts and I inclined to think that he would do the same with the future album "The Legacy Remains". In this case, we have in front of us a completely re-recording of the brilliant "A Legacy Of Love" released in 1998 at Black Rose/Napalm. I remember that this material shocked me at that time, not concerning the virtuosity but the approach, melody and imagination. The album has nothing to do with Metal, it's an extremely rich mixture of Gothic, Pop, Folk, Celtic or Irish, everything in a positive Rock manner, abundant in atmosphere and rhythm! The two voices have their charm, as well as the keyboard that is used all the time. The traditional instruments outline a dreaming sound and this is the album realised 7 years ago. With a lot more neat and clear sound, with a bit changed background (in some cases to Irish, in other ones to Pop or even Metal), having another song included toward the original, "End Of December", ANTICHRISIS sends us now a new slot of light, extremely warm and well-meant, that should not miss from the collection of everybody who appreciates good music. For me the listening of this album made me go back to their debut, the excellent "Cantara Anachoreta". Why wouldn't you do the same?
OCTOBER FALLS (FIN) - "Marras" CD '05
(8 tracks, 32min 06sec)(CORVUS)
Another great surprise for me, moreover expectable from Emil, the one who leads this young Bulgarian label! Afteran extremely inspired and interpreted NEST project, Corvus discovers another Finnish band that explores the traditional music's land, in nordic version. Calm, acoustic, folk, piano, guitar, chello, choral affects, everything in an elegant and full of mistery manner! The TENHI, ULVER or EMPYRIUM fans will surely be pleased with this debut! Unfortunately, it's too short and a bit arid, maybe because the absence of the effective voices. M. Lehto is responsable for OCTOBER FALLS and I think he's at least as talented as the guys from TENHI, because the music has an identical orientation. I talked to Tyko (TENHI) about this album and he admitted it was a valuable one, probably inspired by "Kauan". If you wany to isolate yourself or to relax for half an hour, "Marras" is one of the best choices!
STURMGEIST (NOR) - "Meister Mephisto" CD '05
(9 tracks, 46min 08sec)(SEASON OF MIST)
However I've tried to find boring and dull elements in this music, I haven't succeeded. The solo project of Cornelius Jackhelln (SOLEFALD) it's entirely new and full of different elements, from Black to Thrash or Industrial. But Industrial seems to be the skeleton of this sound, that gravitates around a very stimulating Black Metal, with voices sometimes normal and sometimes agressive, with killing rhythm, with very heavy guitars, everything in a light dinamism, not at all strung up, but pleasant for audition. I did not expect to like this kind of Industrial Metal but, maybe because the Atmospheric elements are intercalar in a harmonious way, it determinates me to say that this debut is one with no limits, that does not sound alike with anything I have listened until know and I discovered a lot of influences from many other bands. The thing which is easy to recognise: the Norwegian viking sound!
PRIMORDIAL (IRE)- "The Gathering Wilderness" CD'05
(7 tracks, 59. 34 min)(METAL BLADE)
An interesting album, not as mystic as the other ones, but very well interpreted! Pagan Metal in the most elegant manner, with imposing voice, a lot of atmosphere and melody, but also heavy riffs, but rather linear on the whole, seems too bored to change the approach... the main characteristic of the whole material, which sounds almost like all the songs. I tried with indulgence to discover that PRIMORDIAL which was riving me some years ago, but my impression is that this album was realised in great hurry, its value consisting of virtuosity and not in the so-called thinking. Or, if the expression is not too radical, is it maybe routine?
HARMAA (FIN) - "Airut: Amujen" CD '04
(9 tracks, 52min 21sec)(UTU)
How do you think I feel after listening the new project of the ones from TENHI? FINISHED, pleased, fascinated! You cannot miss an album like this if you consider yourselves a supporter of the Dark Folk style! This time only in piano version, with some pieces of bass and drums, a icy, pessimistic, even resigned atmosphere, with two clear and grave male voices, a very fragile and discreet female one, with most of the lyrics in Finnish, a extraordinary simple digipack but suggestive... oppressive but atractive sound! One of the best albums of the genre that I have listened in the last 2-3 years! So, if you are supporters of bands like ULVER, TENHI, OCTOBER FALLS, LIHOLESIE, then the Tyko's and Ilmari's project will not go over unremarked! And I am sure this material will remain an underground one, as well as the elitist message transmitted by the Finns. Remarkable!
LIHOLESIE (RUS) - "Primeval Rotation" CD '04
(12 tracks, 59min 02sec)(STYGIAN CRYPT)
Yes, a remarkable realization for a completely unknown band. In the same domain with other projects of Heathen Dark Ambient, but in melodic version, folk and acoustic, LIHOLESIE realises an masterly album concerning the atmosphere, excelently managed and immixed! I liked this debut a lot, even if frequently shadows of simplicity and repetition tend to monotony. Fortunately the songs are not very long, between them there are shy differences, but the melancholic aura dominates the entire sound. I recommend you this debut, which does not do anything else than riving you from the daily routine for some dozens of minutes.
