If you ask me: “which album has been in your cd-player most often this year (1999)?”, this neo-classical, first solo album from Matt Howden definitely has a good chance. I bought it after a brilliant Sol Invictus concert in London, where Matt Howden, who is a Sol bandmember (violinist), was one of the stars of the evening…
Reviews
Hekate – Tempeltänze
November 14, 2001 by
This EP, with a playing time of 38 minutes, is a nice way to shorten the waiting for a complete new album. Tempeltanze contains 8 very different tracks, presenting the different styles that the band controls. Two tracks already appeared on compilations in the past, but weren’t in my possession yet, so I don’t mind…
Novalis – First Cadence
November 13, 2001 by
A new band, with (I assume) their debut mcd. All I know of Novalis is the info found in the booklet, namely that the band consists of Marcel (Keyboards and drums) and Stev (Vocals & guitar). Their label is the German Black Rain, and that the band is of German origin can also be heard through their accent…
Nothing – The grey subaudible
November 13, 2001 by
This album by the American formation Nothing has been released by the Italian label Eibon. I don’t know anything about this band, like their line-up or any other releases, but I do know that this album is of a very high quality. Seven tracks are on it, with a total playing time of 52 minutes…
Neutral – Walpurgis Night
November 13, 2001 by
Yet another great Russian band, after Romowe Rikoito and The Moon Far Away. This is the debut album of Neutral, released by Brudenia. Neutral makes folky acoustic music, with guitars, violin, piano, drums and percussion. Singer Ash is capable of making a convincing and moving performance. Sometimes a few darkwave influences can be heard…
One for Jude – Figures
November 13, 2001 by
One for Jude is a French band, ‘Figures’ is their first full-length album. They released a mcd earlier, from which two tracks are present here in a re-recorded version. Their style is not so easy to describe, One for Jude makes a rather pleasant mix of pop and 80’s wave, with some folky elements. Most songs are quite laid back, acoustic and atmospheric. Sometimes a gothic guitar can be heard…
Noxious Emotion – promo
November 13, 2001 by
At the beginning of this year I obtained this 4-track promo cassette of US band Noxious Emotion, and now (it’s about time!) I’m gonna write some words about it. As they say themselves, they make EBM in the style of early Skinny Puppy, FLA & Project Pitchfork. And it’s true, you can hear these influences…
Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio – Make love and war: the wedlock of roses
November 13, 2001 by
After the leaving of Chelsea Krook, Ordo Equilibrio added Rosarius to its name and released this fourth album. The new bandmember is called Rose-Marie Larsen, but her musical contributions seem to be minimal so far. Tomas Petterson though delivered with this album a wonderful release…
Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio – Make love and war: the wedlock of equilibrium
November 13, 2001 by
Shorty after Make love and war; the wedlock of roses appeared The wedlock of equilibrium, this time with a white cover. There is also a vinyl double album available that contains both records. The album has the same intro and outro as its predecessor, the style of the other tracks is comparable, only perhaps a bit more tranquil…
Orchestre Noir – Eleven
November 13, 2001 by
Tony Wakeford should need no further introduction, having made a large oeuvre, mostly with Sol Invictus. Wakeford is especially known for making dark folk music, with well written lyrics…
Of the Wand and the Moon – :emptiness: emptiness: emptiness:
November 13, 2001 by
This is the second album from Of the wand & the moon, the Danish folk band around Kim Larsen, who used to be in the metal band Saturnus. The first album, with the ‘hit’ Raven Chant was already very pleasant, but in my opinion this follow-up is a big step forward. The album contains many catchy acoustic folk songs, like the opener Lost in Emptiness or Silver Rain…
November Növelet – From heaven on earth
November 13, 2001 by
From the cult house of Galakthorrö came this release in 1999, a project by Mr. and Mrs. Arafna. But don’t expect harsh industrial like Haus Arafna, November Növelet takes us to complete other territories…
Sephiroth – Cathedron
November 12, 2001 by
On the outstanding double compilation cd ‘The Absolute Supper’ there was an unknown project that woke my interest, the track by Sephiroth immediately was one of my favourites of the album. Now a convincing debut album has been released, called “Cathedron”, with a typical Cold Meat sound…
Romowe Rikoito – L’Automne Eternel
November 12, 2001 by
A French album title, but a Russian band, that already appeared on the “Edge if the Night” sampler, that was filled with talented Russian groups. This is the second album of Romowe Rikoito, their first album was called “Narcissism”. Their debut was good, but this album is even better…
Régard Extrême – Résurgence
November 12, 2001 by
Régard Extrême is a French neo-classical act, a personal project of Fabien Nicault. Songs from this act have been included on various samplers and RE became known through the 1998 album “Vague L’Ame” (released by World Serpent) and the beautiful collaboration with Les Joyaux de la Princesse, Die Weisse Rose…
Psychonaut – Stealing the fire from heaven
November 12, 2001 by
Recently I received a promo cassette from Psychonaut, a band from Houston, USA. They hope to release this album (their fourth) “Stealing the fire from heaven” in early 2001. The band was founded in 1998 as a side project of the dark-industrial band Valefor…
Protagonist, The – A Rebours
November 12, 2001 by
This is the first album of The Protagonist, a project from Magnus Sundström. It brings us beautifully arranged bombastic neo-classical music, mostly instrumental, with some guest-musicians, like Arcana’s Peter Petterson and Mark St. John Ellis of Elijah’s Mantle. The album “A Rebours” is named after the French fin-de-siècle novel by J.K…
Polygon – Omnon
November 12, 2001 by
One of the members of the legendary electro band Mortal Constraint, Ingo Lindmeier, is also involved in another project called Polygon from which now a limited 2-cd set is released. It comes in a very special and beautiful package, which contains the 2 cd’s and interesting photographic artwork and accompanying texts…
Spiritual Bats – Sacrament
November 12, 2001 by
From Italy come the Spiritual Bats, a formation specialized in ‘old-school’-gothic rock. On this mini-cd called “Sacrament” you find 5 tracks, inspired by the classic gothic heritage. This means no big musical surprises are to be found here, but everything is well-performed. The band is active since 19992 and got good critics with their previous album “Confessions”…
Wumpscut – Blutkind/Bloodchild
November 12, 2001 by
:Wumpscut: must be one of the most succesful electro acts of the last years. This double album, called Blutkind (Bloodchild in English), is a compilation with many rare tracks. The cd also has a nice, elaborate multimedia part showing lots of images, sounds, and text, including artwork sent in by fans…
