REVIEWS
June-July 2002
SIRENIA (NOR)-"At Sixes And Sevens" CD'02
(54. 00 min, 9 tracks)
(NAPALM)
I sometimes find myself in quite an ambiguous situation, dilemma, if you like better this term, regarding my musical preferences when listening is the issue... Black Metal? Gothic? Doom? Or maybe Ambient? If it was to reduce the area to Gothic Black Metal I could choose anytime for TRISTANIA, THE SINS OF THY BELOVED, the old-THEATRE OF TRAGEDY...yet the last TRISTANIA's material left the Black dimension and reached a romantic level...towards Rock....while TSOTB is just a pale copy of the up-mentioned band...TOT became cheap even if its old sound is good...it still comes to a certain saturation...
Well, well, under such view, SIRENIA is coming in forth with a Black Gothic in TRISTANIA's first album-"Widow's Weed" manner. And I find it natural as long as this band's leader is no one else but Morten Veland, TRISTANIA's ex-mentor; and to be more correct he is the one who conceived its first albums-so well seen on Metal scene. After the well known break-up Morten had with Vibeke Stene& Co, he decided not to leave the melodic Metal scene bringing up a debut full of Gothic-Atmospheric which is based, of course, on the super-usual contrast (melodic-aggressive), a powerful antagonistic male voice in Black/Death manner, as well as a strong baritone clear one (Jan Kenneth/ELUSIVE), a fragile but predominant female voice
(although a little too timid in comparison with what is to be heard in TRISTANIA), abundant synth, diverse choirs, intelligent effects, extremely fast and entertaining guitars while Pete Johansen's violin (THE SCARR) successfully intervenes in the entire 9 tracks! Everything sounds sharp and is excellently envisioned and performed...a well smartened up album which certainly shall strike the extreme melodious side of Metal! As far as the news is regarded, SIRENIA has a "great" minus since the sound is pretty common to Gothic bands from Stavanger, not preserving even a shade of innovation or originality. It is, if you prefer, a kind of continuation of less praised "Beyond The Veil", but with some inspiration of "World Of Glass". All in all: a particular album, pleasant to the ear in headphones as well as on the stage..., pretty voluble and full of dynamism and skilfulness!
PRIMORDIAL (IRE)-"Storm Before Calm" CD'02
(46. 22 min, 7 tracks)
(HAMMERHEART)
I do admit I anxiously waited for this new material to come! After "Spirit The Earth Aflame"...I thought that Nemtheanga's Celtic passion would disappear from the musical sphere as the album is rather experimental than Metal while the Folk influences practically dominate the entire sound! I really wanted to know if PRIMORDIAL faded away or not! Well, I can assure you this Irish quintet has returned with a material just perfect for non-conventional Black Metal fans' "digestion"! There is a professional sound; the seven sequences are recorded in Academy Studios beside Mags (MY DYING BRIDE). The epical facet is rather more pronounced than on "Journeys End", the melancholic one reaches from time to time the MCD-" The Burning Season" atmosphere and Black Metal-old version seems to shape itself inside some aggressive passages, reminding me of "Imrama". From another point of view, the new album
follows the former one's structure but much more assorted and complex as the voice's inflexions impregnate a personal imprint to the whole sound. It is not about a new music, a certain direction or something out of imagination...but solely PRIMORDIAL, a name which imposes respect because of age and artistic quality attested during past years. Inside such abundance of Black Metal bands, at the beginning of this millennium, Ireland vividly continues to be represented by these five Celtic ancestors. www.hammerheart.com/primordial .
FOREFATHER (ENG)-"Engla Tocyme" CD'02
(40. 17 min, 7 tracks)
(ANGELISC)
Anglo-Saxon direction in metallic version can be distinguish fro the very beginning as FOREFATHER is recognized such as Metal band whose deep roots are grown from Britannic mythology and history. For those who never heard of this band I must tell that this very album is the third after "Deep Into Time", 1999 (now reprinted) and "The Fighting Man", 2000. There is also a limited edition of "Legends Untold"-CD but this is all about. I need to outline that the mixture of Epic with Heavy and Black Metal is the most successful one from all their materials although it seems to be vigour less album. It is more like a BATHORY or HADES with a clear warlike voice but very comestible and full of melodious ness. It creates an atmosphere of comfort with free and easy rhythms and prolonged riffs (all made by keyboard) pointing out these two musicians' artistry. It was a real pleasure to
listen to this new album of FOREFATHER although after a continuous audition...tracks tend to liquefy. Wulfstan's gentle timbre of voice followed by Athelstan's keyboard simply transposes me into a different charming and simple world...yet a remarkable one because of concepts like honour and oblation...which is almost 3-4 centuries ago. http://Members.aol.com/AngeliscE .
MACTATUS (NOR)-"Suicide" CD'02
(41. 26 min, 10 tracks)
(NAPALM)
Deception! It is incredible how limited such band could be! After three albums, more than interesting, full of Nordic extreme and atmospheric Black Metal, the six Norwegians have decided to return to the roots of the style presenting something which was a fashion some years ago! Unfortunately, MACTATUS did not take a step forward with "Suicide" but rather let itself be lead by extreme impulses and no more than this. Hate, violence, death...are themes super exploited which, in Black Metal version, have been consumed during all these years. There is one other important detail to be mentioned: Peter Tagtgren produced the album which means that the recording and mastering are really exceptional. As for the rest, it is just another Norwegian Black Metal band with a quality sound, gifted instrumental performers and this is it! As far as the musical direction is regarded, I guess the album can hardly pass the "examination"...;
fortunate is only the interpretation manner. It is probably one album which can only pleasantly surprise those who recently discovered Black Metal life-style.
PENUMBRA (FRA)-"The Last Bewitchment" CD'02
(45. 20 min, 9 tracks)
(SEASON OF MIST)
After the debut album, "Emanate", released at Serenades Records in 1999, PENUMBRA keeps going many gigs and from then, for a period of two years, nobody knows a thing of them until the moment Season Of Mist received a new demo which brought also a new contract. The band massively changes the line-up having now 8 members of which 2 represents female voices, one male voice, an oboe performer, keyboard player and, of course, the rest of Metal instrumentals. Towards the previous album, PENUMBRA emphatically develops the classical feature as the symphonic note smoothly embraces Metal tunes though Gothic forms are the ones that outweigh. Here from it starts the new sound rather pretty complex but not original at all. It is a replica to THERION in a French version, well executed and very catching on the stage! The female voices bring a choral note to the entire sound while the mixture of Metal and Classic
is often interrupted by an aggressive angry male voice Gothic Black Metal bands like. It is just modern melodious orchestral Metal with symphonic entertaining rhythms. A coquettish album that evidently reveals the musicians' enthusiasm but still in lack of "that" something...
ASHES TO ASHES (NOR)-"Cardinal VII" CD'02
(58. 54 min, 11 tracks)
(DVS)
I kept wondering for some time when these Norwegian might release a new album..."Shapes Of Spirits" came into sight in 1998 and, even if it was released with personal financial support, was very well viewed and in consequence DVS offered them this very contract. I wouldn't say that the present Metal performance of the four is quite different from the first album but the progressive note definitely became the key-point. Kenneth Brastad's voice is now much more diverse which a significant addition to the sound is. The instruments originally run through Gothic, Heavy and Atmospheric having as result a well-rounded, carefully conceived and well interpreted album. After a first audition, "Cardinal VII" seems just OK...but if you try to listen to it, once again, well, you'll be surprised to find more other intriguing elements, so that there is a certain musical charm outlined.
However I am not fascinated by this kind of Progressive (I have one exception: WINDS) I didn't mind to listen to this material...maybe because I met passages reminding me of GODSEND, IN THE WOODS... or even METALLICA. Satisfying or modest, boring or outstanding, you should decide for yourself!
BRAVE (USA)-"Searching For The Sun" CD'02
(48. 00 min, 11 tracks)
(DARK SYMPHONIES)
Everybody praises these Americans' activity. Their debut, entitled "Before an Audience of Stars", had unexpected great sales as the former name, ARISE FROM THORNS, brought them quite good luck. Finally, the four changed the name into BRAVE and, after "Waist Deep In Dark Waters"-EP, release this album, enjoying great support and promotion from Dark Symphonies. More progressive and Pop than the previous one rather more technical and thorny with a lot more Power shades, the new material is still focused on female voice, Rock rhythms slowly replacing Gothic Metal so that the sound becomes more commercial and less mysterious ...in THE GATHERING style. It wouldn't be fair to say that the album is a modest one but I cannot praise it either. With no energy or vigour, BRAVE is in possession of few meditative passages and great melodiousness , that is probably why this band can only impose in front of those who admire calm relaxing Rock music.
THYRFING (SWE)-"Vansinnesvisor" CD'02
(42. 58 min, 8 tracks)
(HAMMERHEART)
Deception replicated! I still don't understand why rather all bands return to aggressive Metal despite the fact that they imposed so far in a different manner, definitely not a trendy one. THYRFING became well known as a promoter of Viking Folk Metal besides HELHEIM's Norwegians. During the past years, the six Swedish offered three intelligent well reviewed albums invested with great Nordic Medieval and Pagan Metal." Valdr Galga" shocked the entire mass-media, while "Urkraft" made them quite popular on Metal scene. The new tracks are persistent on Metal in melodic Swedish Death Metal version with Black voice and some Folk tunes. There is atmosphere, melody, rhythm...but the inspiration and creativity are missing while a thing is pretty certain: not being able to surpass their own boundaries. Personally, I prefer listening to the debut album because it is more explosive and there is in much more of their souls.
The last Swedish's album I believe is also the last one at Hammerheart as I see no reason for the Dutch label to promote them any further. What it was to be said I guess they told and it seems like time to retire has come...or maybe to re-orientate...In lack of advancement and innovative ideas, there are very few chances for them to maintain on the current scene. Perhaps more chances if the fans refuse to believe what is actually very clear: the album is a modest linear and rather monotonous, even confusing. To put it mildly the performing part is OK and so are the synchronisation of all instruments and the quality sound.
VINTERSORG (SWE)-"Visions From The Spiral Generator" CD'02
(41. 00 min, 9 tracks)
(NAPALM)
Vintersorg's (Andreas Hedlund) new album was quite expected by all Metal breathing and mostly because of its original sound is a huge attraction for many "angry people". VARGATRON, (the initial name) marked the appearance with "Hedniskhjartad" -MCD, in 1998 and then followed "Till Fjalls" and "Odemarkens Son"-two albums full of Folk Metal while in 2000 "Cosmic Genesis" is released and became the best and complex of all. This is probably due to the cooptation of Mattias Marklund, a guitar player of first class. Vintersorg considers then that the project needs to become a real band and, close up to his involvement in last BORKNAGAR's album, Asgeir Mickelson (SPIRAL ARHITECT), an excellent drummer is convinced to take part on the new album. Moreover, Asgeir brings Steve DiGiorgio (DEATH, SADUS, TESTAMENT, CONTROL DENIED) with him at the recording thus the bass part is irreproachable.
Recorded in there different locations (Sweden, Norway and USA), the material reached now an impressive form and an explosive strength. I do reckon, I've seen them live and they do kick asses with such great impact to the public! This last album, although very short, is taken over by a Folk aura while in the very same time the elaborated Metal generates assorted interferences and the keyboard assimilates Hippie, Flower Power traces. The clear voice mixes with the Black violent one, Heavy riffs are broken up by acoustic ones; the melody and atmosphere here created delimit VINTERSORG from any other band of sort. It matters not that much if it is about Heavy Metal or Progressive since the most important aspect is VINTERSORG offering now a super-album which can anytime be considered a veritable source of inspiration for a lot of young bands; the artistic dimension and the performing one are definitely the VINTERSORG's strong points. .
www.vintersorg.com .
RAVENTHRONE (AUT)-"Endless Conflict Theorem" CD'02
(46. 50 min, 11 tracks)
(AVANTGARDE)
Ray Wells might be familiar for some due to his famous project, PAZUZU. It seems like moving in Canada changed his musical vision so that the ruins of Dark Metal hardly can be noticed inside the new tunes. His debut with this new project, "Malice In Wonderland", pleasantly surprised me but it has been a while since that time and RAVENTHRONE name was rather forgotten. Moreover, since last PAZUZU material was quite a disappointment, I guess no one really expected more from this veteran of Austrian Black Metal scene.
Finally, Ray's friendship with Martin Shirenc (PUNGENT STENCH, HOLLENTHON) conducts to this very new RAVENTHRONE album, sensibly sheltered by the same Epic Folk Metal dimension. Any further...it is pretty hard to characterize since the sound is so diversified that it actually is difficult to settle if it is deception or originality...I tend to think the first part is the true one taking in account I quite used to admire Ray's music. What you are supposed to listen to oscillates between exuberant Gothic Metal (in CREMATORY manner) and extreme Black Metal full of epic passages, miscellaneous inflexions of the voice (clear and violent), some choral effects, Rock drums, heavy but very melancholic tunes, a paler keyboard while the straight supremacy belongs now to the harmony of guitars. The recording is pretty elegant and the opposition calm-aggressive fascinates and confuses as well.
Perhaps is an album with too many ideas featuring many musical styles...so that, in the end, I have no ideas whom are going to be pleased... www.malicegarden.com
APOTHEOSIS (MAL)-"Farthest From The Sun" CD'02
(50. 58 min, 4 tracks)
(NOCTURNAL ART)
I've heard of this computerized project of Sauron, a long time ago, and I actually wanted to check if it is as good as TARTAROS. Well, the mixture of Symphonic, Epic Black and Thrash Metal is classy and tracks are extremely long and complex. In fact, the first track is an intro of 7 minutes, rather wire-drawn and ultra-extended. The next couple of tracks go beyond 12 minutes each, are full of bombastic atmosphere, here and there some medieval shades and sounds imitating traditional instruments and they also were included on Promo tape, 1997 but not that re-arranged and mastered with such elegant sound...The last track, "Kingdom", seems to be the most elaborated one as its musical structure is a continuous line full of attractive effects.
It doesn't sound bad at all, although the aggressive voice rather bored me and, even if there are brilliant ideas, the sound performed and resulted solely on computer is a synthetic one...Sauron's effort is remarkable but I believe these four tracks would have sounded good as well if being more succinct since some passages are repetitive and exhausting. APOTHEOSIS is just another hybrid of computerized Black Metal and perhaps we shouldn't be so fastidious next to a debut! There are too many bands who try to prostitute their musical style just for commercial sake, which is money. Sauron didn't look for such and I have reasons to believe neither he will as far as his stylistic direction remains Majestic Sumptuous Elaborate Modern Black Metal belonging to The Third Millennium! Interesting but nothing else...
DEVISER (GRE)-"Running Sore" CD'02
(43. 25 min, 9 tracks)
(THE LSP)
Surprise! I didn't even think these veterans of Greek Black scene are still alive! After two albums released at Mascot Records, DEVISER comes back in forth, in metallic scene, with a new material, more changed and up-dated to modern Black Metal standards. In other words, the five gave up Thrash and Old Black Metal weight and acquaint themselves with atmosphere, melodic and rhythmic aura. Therefore we find violin, female voice, Doom passages...rather alien ingredients on the former albums, "Unspeakable Cults" or "Transmission To Chaos". Do not think DEVISER lost touch with real things and turned into Disco Black Metal! On a Black background, which reminds me of ROTTING CHRIST first material, with an extreme voice yet quite in harmony with the entire continuance of the sound, the Greeks develop some modern elements in an imaginative manner while the bombastic keyboard is just the metronome of the whole musical structure and concept.
It is about a fresh sound, a volatile rhythm, a terrible strength and a professional performance. Nothing new or avantgardist, just a sound based on the old skeleton of extreme Metal which accepts-hardly but intelligently-the present Black Metal modernism. A real Cult band for the Greek scene... www.deviser.org
PANCHRYSIA (BEL)-"In Obscure Depths" CD'02
(42. 19 min, 9 tracks)
(THE LSP)
A lay out reminding me of "World of Worms", ZYCLON's album, a voice perfectly resembling with IMMORTAL, a Black Metal atmosphere in Norwegian style, lots of modern rhythms, melodiousness and fastness followed by Heavy riffs parts...this should be the sound description of the debutant. All is copied after IMMORTAL, but I can admit in a very successfully manner as the four Belgians are really skilful. It didn't kill me but managed to be quite a cure of nonconformist Black Metal rather brutal and full of negative energies that actually interact with my inner ones having in the end as result a state of satisfying discharging. It is probably an album on the taste of all aggressive Black dependents which shall find appreciation among critics. It is an interesting name for Belgian scene and a debut that might have easily imposed if appeared 5-6 years ago.
www.come.to/panchrysia
OCEANS OF SADNESS (BEL)-"Laughing Tears, Crying Smile" CD'02
(69. 20 min, 10 tracks)
(THE LSP)
Quite a storm in a glass of water for a modest band featuring common sequences which were catchy a long-long time ago...The mixture of Black, Gothic, Death Metal, Progressive and Atmospheric becomes rather annoying after the first three tracks, so does the bothering intrusive male voice since all abortive inflexions make the impression of an amateur. As for the rest: plentiful keyboard, drawn out guitars, simplistic battery... a kind of all kinds Metal addressed to everybody and still to none. A hotchpotch of styles indifferently and uninterestingly arranged...What is quite curious is the fact that the label promotes them in high forces...why? I have no clue... www.oceansofsadness.com
KAAMOS (SWE)-"Kaamos" CD'02
(34. 35 min, 9 tracks)
(CANDLELIGHT)
Here comes another Death Metal band belonging to Swedish trend! I have not much to write about this album because what these young musicians perform did not impress me at all: the melodic line is commonly blended with the aggressive one, the irritated voices at most denote an artificial hate which is, in other words, and a long time ago faded fashion. It is just Death Black Metal, well carried out but nothing else.
INSOMNIUM (FIN)-"In The Halls Of Awaiting" CD'02
(55. 39 min, 10 tracks)
(CANDLELIGHT)
Finland can be proud of many young bands dedicated to Melodic Death Metal style and INSOMNIUM is just one of them. Founded in 1997, the band records, after two years, its first demo, pretty well quoted in "Terrorizer" magazine, and a year right after the second material is released: "Underneath The Moonlit Waves" demo, due to which they actually signed a contract with the British label. Although nothing distinguishes INSOMNIUM from classic bands, there is certain full of melody and rhythm atmosphere preserving as well rage and violence and it seems like guitars' tunes remind me of first AMORPHIS' album! The throaty voice is very appropriate to such style while the battery, although rather simplistic, actually confers a perfect synchronisation with guitars. This debut, in reality, presents a sample of quality recital, with a smart well mixed sound...so that in the end it grants you with a vision towards the frozen lands and the thousand lakes.
A different kind of AMORPHIS debut but in a whole new millennium!
ENTWINE (FIN)-"Time Of Despair" CD'02
(51. 04 min, 11 tracks)
(SPIKEFARM)
Upon these Finnish musicians' musical path you can actually analyze in which way Gothic Metal evolves or decay. I have listened several times to this album and found not demerits despite of copious commercial which can be noted from the very first track. ENTWINE illustrates a new album, the third, in a melodic manner which obliterates the underground scene but preserving quite strong benefits for MTV or other similar popular channels. It is, if you like, another kind of THE GATHERING with a male voice featuring the "Mandylion" period or perhaps the newer HIM full of Rock and Pop structures. All is rhythmic and pleases, all is danceable...too shiny and romantic for my tastes. The plentiful keyboard interacts with a clear baritonal voice, guitars situate somewhere at the borders of Metal and Rock while the battery is rather boring with dancing rhythms. So, it is a simplistic sound at the commercial discretion, full of vacation atmosphere and a "metallic" recreation.
DARKWELL (AUT)-"Conflict Of Interest" MCD'02
(32. 25 min, 7 tracks)
(NAPALM)
There was quite some time to wait for this new material! After the excellent debut, " Suspiria", in 2000, the Austrians return with a well conceived MCD as far as imagery is regarded but for the quality sound as well. I am not in the position to say if the four new tracks stand for a forward step as far as insight is regarded but it definitely is a superior movement in the performance acceptance. The whole sound is stronger, more Heavy; guitars dominate; Alexandra's voice tends to reach weird inflexions rather awkward, in ATROX manner, and the battery is fantastic since Moritz Neuner is a real artist; we can hear some parts where a clear whispered male voice has a tendency of communicating with the female one. Gothic Metal resulted from the five's elaboration has reached now a different measurement, the one of Technic/Progressive. I must say that the keyboard seems rather too bombastic,
despite of the outstanding atmosphere it creates, and this reminds me of lots of Gothic bands ruled by melodiousness fashion. There is also a Tanita Tikaram cover-version and two tracks from the debut, in live version, from which "Realm Of darkness" really proves to be the most inspired DARKWELL track. For those who want to buy the MCD, Napalm prepared as well two video-tracks live so that, the record definitely is worth the money. www.darkwell.org
SKEPTICISM (FIN)-"The Process Of Farmakon" MCD'02
(18. 29 min, 2 tracks)
(RED STREAM)
What can you expect when spelling SKEPTICISM? Funeral Doom Metal of first class! Unfortunately the Finnish refuse to overpass the limits of such style and so, the sound is rather the same, almost identical with the one from earlier albums. There is a difference, of course, and it consists in some supplementary effects placed in the background...as for the rest, an angry gruff voice, extremely lent rhythms, long-lasting guitars and a drummer who awakes from time to time to heat up a little the instrument he is supposed to handle. A few years back, I might have appreciated such orientation, but for the right now, well, let me be excused, I've come to saturation. It is true, since the MCD has solely two tracks, I find quite difficult to define major changes in SKEPTICISM sound....Let us see how the future album sounds-it is expected for this autumn-and then we may reach a final conclusion. www.farmakon.com
HIDDEN - "Spectral Magnitude" CD'02
(54. 24 min, 9 tracks)
(RED STREAM)
Dismal Astral Death Metal...is their declared style and the band's origin is not made public, the underground depressive and weird sound is the ruler here...and these are just a few characteristic elements of this debut. In my language, HIDDEN follows a mixture of Doom, Black, Death and Speed Metal while the macabre voice and the sound of the guitars simply remind me of mystical bands of 90's. The atmosphere might carry your thoughts to DISEMBOWELMENT or WINTER and the instruments' grave note widen an enigmatic aura on a strange mysterious environment. Here and there can be heard clear normal voices, I might even say Heavy Metal ones, but per ensemble HIDDEN sound is just fucking weird: slow openings rotates with super-fast ones, the battery is modestly mixed while, in exchange, the guitars' expressiveness absolutely dictate upon your instincts. I haven't understood much of this album but
I know for sure that captivated my attention and for the moment I actually am intrigued to read an interview with the guys. I understood this is even more difficult to achieve since RED STREAM carefully selects any mode of getting in touch or "revealing" HIDDEN details!
SEAR BLISS (HUN)-"Grand Destiny" CD'02
(46. 37 min, 10 tracks)
(RED STREAM)
The fourth album of these Hungarians was released at an autochthon label, last year, but Red Stream insisted for the album to appear as well under their hallmark...therefore, in a dissimilar imagery, SEAR BLISS presents now the best tracks of that album. I have written all about it "Kogaionon" no. 7 which means I see no use to repeat myself. I may only say that the 10 tracks follows the atmospheric Black Metal line, with trumpet, trombone and baritone, an aggressive throaty (rather too linear) voice, melodic parts, even melancholic ones, fast guitars and a more restrained synth than on former albums...SEAR BLISS is focused now on a sound rather Metallic than a sumptuous grandiloquent one and the traditional elements (Robert Pinter is back with his trumpet!) basically bestow inventiveness to the sound. www.searbliss.hu
.
URGRUND (AUS)-"The Graven Sign" CD'02
(36. 46 min, 10 tracks)
(BAPHOMET)
Here comes another band born too late for such a consumed style! Disciples of furious Black Metal featuring Death and Thrash frames can now cherish a few dozens of minutes full of aggressiveness but, be aware, no more than that. It looks like a pale album to me with a linear boring common sound. I wonder who has the patience to listen to such tunes any more... www.ausmetal.net/urgrund
AUTUMN CLAN (AUT)-"Requiem To The Sun" CD'02
(53. 43 min, 14 tracks)
(WAB)
The Austrian scene lately insists on Gothic Rock and it seems like this young label preference is more likely oriented towards a rather domestic music. This very quartet is just at the debut, after three well received demos yet not quite properly brought into mass media attention. Having some connection with BLACK PROPHECY (Death Metal) or DARKSIDE (Dark Metal), AUTUMN CLAN is adept of a commercial Rock with a normal clear calm and enjoyable voice, the sound has certain Metallic openings but rather Gothic and instrumental division practically reminds me of CEMETARY or even PARADISE LOST. I actually enjoyed the material, at a first audition, as it sounds good, pretty rhythmic and probably perfect for a recital. From stimulation point of view...I guess it is full stop which is the same for the stylistic identity. But, in the end, it is just a band with a commercial sound which, due to its style, might attract simplistic melodic Gothic Rock fans' attention.
JACK FROST (AUT)-"Abusing Uglysex Ungod" CD'02
(38. 55 min, 8 tracks)
(WAB)
What else can be said or written regarding JACK FROST? It is more than a well known band thanks to the four albums released so far ("Eden", "Elsewhere", "Glow Dying Sun" and "Gloom Rock Asylum") plus lots of gigs all over Europe. What makes the difference next to the former ones? Perhaps the Doom Metal side is slightly shadowed inside Rock valences but the Gothic background is as cold and sinister as ever while slow timbre of male voice points out to first TYPE O NEGATIVE album. In different words, Melodic Gothic Rock of these four musicians is as Dark as ever but more Heavy and rhythmic so that it actually turns this album into a vivid point of attraction even for those who agreed not such sonorities. Personally, I do prefer their first albums as they were rather more "isolated" and inaccessible while this very melodiousness really scares me...
ELFMAN (AUT)-"Common Sky" CD'02
(52. 29 min, 11 tracks)
(WAB)
Electro or Rock... Pretty hard to label such...In fact, the four Austrians has chosen a less interesting path, at least for me...the guitars' aggressiveness interchange with the voice's explosiveness and the staccato rhythms send me to Power or even Hip-Hop. Maybe it is a MACHINE HEAD more electronic and this should be a more appropriate description. But what does it matter as long as this kind of music doesn't ring a bell for me?! Noise, animation, plenty of energy...just typical issues for extrovertive Rockers!!!
DIVERCIA (FIN)-"Modus Operandi" CD'02
(52. 13 min, 11 tracks)
(HAMMERHEART)
Well, yes, this was quite an exquisite surprise coming from modern Metal commercial side! In better words, can you imagine a band which successfully and inspiring merges NIGHTWISH, DIMMU BORGIR and HIM? I am not a disciple of bombastic very rhythmic and commercial sound, but when there is something made with talent, I cannot but appreciate it. Therefore here we have: imposing keyboard (in NIGHTWISH manner), extremely Heavy guitars, a clear and potent voice (in HIM style), and rhythms passing from Gothic to Black Metal...all is mighty, harmonious and more than melodic. I do remember I received the band's first MCD, three years ago, when their banner was LOST IN TWILIGHT, a material I quite praised in "Kogaionon".
On this album, are featured lent tracks with a ballad aura and Jyri Aarniva's Pop Rock voice (another kind of David Bowie) actually overflies impressively the entire sound. The last three tracks seem to belong to a distinct chapter as the voice transforms itself here and there in a Black Metal one, the rhythm increases and it is easy to remark that it is about a Finnish sound as inspiring sources were NIGHTWISH, SENTENCED or SONATA ARCTICA...and I might go even further up to DIMMU BORGIR or THE KOVENANT. I wasn't enchanted by DIVERCIA's Black sound, but let's be indulgent as we still speak of a debut! Desire for stylistic colourfulness impregnates any band artistic life, especially if this band is eager to reach a high-speed success! It is impossible for this album not to make waves and I am sure the entire metallic mass media shall see DIVERCIA as "masculine" version of NIGHTWISH. And I tell you there is good reason for such...because, in spite of an extremely commercial and trendy sound, the voice is indeed, inedited!
AGALLOCH (USA)-"The Mantle" CD'02
(68. 38 min, 9 tracks)
(THE END)
Either I became a fan of this American label or the majority of albums lately released at THE END plainly continue to fascinate me...as they actually are a great part of my play-list: WINDS, SLEEPLESS, ARCTURUS... and now, AGALLOCH! "Pale Folklore" was an album that shocked me since mixture of Dark with Gothic, Doom and Black actually turned my face to the past and a near reference might be SADNESS. It has been more than three years since their debut was released but here they come, after a MCD regarding which you recently read on the site, with great news: John Haughm &Co returns with a new multidimensional opus, structured in 9 epic sequences of a remarkable melancholy, with Rock, Folk, Ambient openings as well as Metal ones from Doom and Gothic to Black or Death. We can enjoy diverse tracks, from quite extended ones ("In the Shadow of Our Pale Companion", appreciatively 15 minute)
till acoustic interludes, extremely lent and meditative. On a superficial audition you actually tend to believe that tracks are meaninglessly prolonged as the entire 70 minute might have been expressed as well in only 45. I don't know which the reality...is and frankly I don't care either...important is only the exquisite emotional state and this is more than enough. As a matter of fact, no doubts, instrumentation is the key point of the sound and the voice embraces different frames during the tracks, from the clear calm even whispered /recited/intonated one to the aggressive and yelling one. If I had to compare the two albums, I discover that Metallic part plays a second role while the acoustic and solos now govern the whole musical universe and some parts remind me of ULVER, SOL INVICTUS, ULVER or PINK FLOYD while the voice often has FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM echoes. I don't know if it is not rather pointless to present more details because,
for a successful album, I can only use superlatives...And one of those might be, from now one, enclosed in your vocabulary: AGALLOCH! I need to say a few more things: fragments of acoustic guitars remind me of BATHORY ("Twilight of the Gods"); metallic instruments are inspiringly mixed with synth or other spiced elements such as mandolin, wind box/accordion, trombone, bells, cymbal and contrabass...all is mystical, all is Dark ...and all is harmony.
Welcome in AGALLOCH's realm!
HAGALAZ' RUNEDANCE (NOR)-"Frigga's Web" CD'02
(37. 59 min, 10tracks)
(HAMMERHEART)
Past & present & legend & myth & fiction & history & dream = Andrea Nebel Haugen. Everybody knows that Samoth's wife (ex-EMPEROR) is one the most dedicated disciple of Pagan current and an eloquent explorer of Nordic-European spirituality and her book- "The Ancient Fires of Midgard" is just an expressive example. Andrea has reached the third album of this project, after her outstanding debut, "The Winds That Sang of Midgard's Fate" and the thriving "Volven". The new material is not so different from the former ones and it actually is a new journey in time inside mysterious universe Andrea studied and the result is just a peaceful music. I might say it is a fusion of Folk and traditional elements, besides synth and all the rest of instruments used by well recognized artists in this sphere and I refer to bands such as FABELSVANSENE, HURDY GURDY or
CORONA BOREALIS as they pled for the same musical orientation. It is not a better or worse album, although now, the multitude of instruments quite immediately strike...perhaps it is just a continuance of "Volven" following the same strategy: Andrea's mesmerising voice is pointed out and the ritualistic synth and drums plainly fulfil the atmosphere of such characteristic sound. The booklet lay-out is elegant and Andrea's messages included inside those pages can be a very important one for anyone who desire mystical initiation. There is one single detail to be mentioned: the album contains as well "The Home That I Will Never See", a track initially featured on the debut album.
FLOODLAND (AUT)-"Ocean Of The Lost" CD'02
(68. 30 min, 15tracks)
(WAB)
Interesting project... SISTERS OF MERCY and FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM but in a more Dark version, with a lower voice well delimited from the rest of the sound and typical guitars tunes for Gothic. Although it is the first album I am listening to(there are so far "Chapter One"-demo, "Seasons"-maxi CD and "The Now And Here Is Never"-debut), FLOODLAND captivated my attention right away even if what they perform brings nothing new to Gothic Rock scene. Maybe it is something new for the Austrian scene and this is, I believe, a step forward. The album's atmosphere is an stupendous one, keyboard gives life to an attractive background, the battery awards a listenable rhythm while the sober voice shapes the very specific characteristic of these four Austrians' music. The fact is that indeed this is a very interesting album which distinguishes from other Gothic Rock bands' mass but it simply didn't find its own identity.
Perhaps, the next album, "Decay", which is supposed to be released soon...shall bring such on the Austrian scene. Who knows? Anyway, it is worth to try this sample of Dark Rock as you definitely shall not be sorry! There is a lot of time to listen to it...almost 70 minutes! www.floodland.org
PUTREFACTION (ROM)-"Descending Purity" demo MCD'02
(15. 53 min, 5tracks)
This is INDIAN FALL in Death Metal version! It is, if you prefer, the brutal project belonging to members of Brasov's band while Andrei Calmuc is the one who performs at guitar, bass, keyb, drums programming and voice besides Cristian Opinca and Adrian Vitanescu guitar players. I don't undersatnd why was it desired for this band existence to be continued under certain conditions of which even in Romania death Metal ceased to be a fashion any more! Perhaps Andrei's "aggressive" side required an expressing action and also a status of not ending an activity started some time ago. PUTREFACTION insists on that traditional Death Metal, with throaty angry voice, guitars in GORGUTS or CANNIBAL CORPSE manner, seldom interrupted by a modern keyboard and processings with a pale tendancy to Black Metal. I am sure that, a few years ago, PUTREFACTION could have gained a special interest with this demo since,
not taking in account that the sound has not a reasonable shade of originality, well, the compositions and performance are indeed to be praised. Unfortunately, I cannot affirm this product touched me, although a first audition was really satisfying. There is too much of classical Death Metal for this scene. Another good point is the recording quality if we only take notice is just a demo. But I must admit this material might be a potential pleasant surprise for this extreme Metallic supporters! www.putrefaction.go.ro
