mementomori

 Andrew King's singing is panic-inducing, reaching unimaginable interpretative peaks; it is an unseemly roar lost in the mud of centuries.

 Once the boundary is crossed, it will be quite difficult to retrace one’s steps.

Andrew King's Deus Ignotus is a cultured and demanding neo-folk album that fuses medieval traditions with industrial and avant-garde elements. While not suited for every occasion, it stands as a dark, compelling work featuring powerful vocals and rich instrumentation. The album revisits centuries-old ballads with scholarly rigor, enriched by contributions from respected collaborators. Listeners ready to engage deeply will find it a rewarding, phenomenal experience. Dive into Andrew King's Deus Ignotus for a profound neo-folk journey that blends history, emotion, and avant-garde soundscapes.

 "Be generous with your life, with your love, be generous always."

 "Art Holds a Unity that History does not."

Rome's 'Die Aesthetik Der Herrschafts-Freiheit' is a grand, ambitious triple album project inspired by Peter Weiss's literary work. Featuring 36 tracks exploring themes of resistance, history, and human nature, it showcases Jerome Reuter's mature songwriting and return to apocalyptic folk roots. The album blends symphonic, industrial, and folk elements into a cohesive and profound experience, earning critical acclaim as a significant modern work in the genre. This intense yet accessible masterpiece invites repeated listening to fully absorb its depth. Dive into Rome's profound apocalyptic folk journey—listen to 'Die Aesthetik Der Herrschafts-Freiheit' and experience a musical masterpiece.

 "Sumerian Cry" carries a certain atmosphere, gloomy as you will, but it’s undeniable that even then a metaphysical wind was blowing over the notes harshly scraped by Edlund’s clumsy fingers.

 "Approaching 'Sumerian Cry' means performing, with professional disillusionment, an archaeological dig that can lead us at best to a good death metal album, certainly raw, but not without salient points of interest."

The review examines Tiamat's debut album 'Sumerian Cry,' highlighting its raw death metal roots and hints of future gothic and doom influences. Though the production is poor and musicianship rudimentary, Johan Edlund's visionary atmosphere shines through. The album serves as an archaeological glimpse into the band's origins, contrasting sharply with their later acclaimed works. Overall, the reviewer presents it as a significant but unfinished starting point in Tiamat's evolution. Dive into Tiamat's roots and discover the raw force behind their debut 'Sumerian Cry.' Listen now to experience the birth of a gothic metal legend!

 “A Strange Thing to Say is a perfect machine of pain, orchestrated lamentations to the millimeter over an equally timed base where everything is in its place, but where something is obviously missing.”

 “Only in that moment did I taste again the greatness that was, or fabulous Anna/Varney Cantodea.”

This review examines Sopor Aeternus' 2010 EP ‘A Strange Thing To Say,’ part of a Ghost Trilogy, highlighting its gothic chamber pop style and refined production. Though the work retains the artist’s signature baroque and grotesque atmospheres, a sense of repetition and lack of fresh inspiration is noted. The reviewer praises the opening track’s dynamic complexity and the emotional depth of the bonus track but finds much of the EP somewhat tiring and mannered. Fans will appreciate the familiar style, though newcomers may find it less engaging. Discover the haunting beauty and complex emotions of Sopor Aeternus’ ‘A Strange Thing To Say’—listen now and explore this unique gothic chamber pop experience.

 Almond’s voice is superlative (Almond is better than Antony), and it is astonishing how our electro-pop imp can feel comfortable among accordions, clarinets, violins, and much balalaika.

 The project prefers to celebrate the vitality and poetry of Kozin’s music rather than dwell on the sappy, the nostalgic, and the sense of loss and injustice.

Marc Almond’s 'Orpheus in Exile' resurrects the work of Russian tenor Vadim Kozin, blending cabaret, folk, and melancholic ballads. Almond delivers a superlative vocal interpretation amidst lush Russian orchestration, though the album’s style may not appeal broadly. This thoughtful, well-crafted tribute highlights Kozin’s tragic legacy and Almond’s artistic maturity. Recommended primarily for devoted Almond fans or those intrigued by the historical and emotional depth of Kozin’s music. Discover Marc Almond's haunting tribute to Vadim Kozin—listen to Orpheus in Exile and explore a forgotten chapter of Russian musical history.

 "Songs for Creatures can really make the mind travel, even if it can't carry it too far."

 It’s listenable, for God’s sake, it is listenable...

The review details the author's initial confusion purchasing 'Songs For Creatures' by Psychonauts, an English DJ duo blending acid-house, trip-hop, and psychedelic sounds. Though the album lacks strong originality and starts weakly, it improves with textured beats and soulful guest vocals. The production is technically skilled, making for a pleasant listen filled with vintage British flavors and atmospheric moods, though it may not stand out dramatically in the genre. Listen to Psychonauts' 'Songs For Creatures' for a stylish blend of trip-hop and acid house with vintage British vibes.

 An essential album from a conceptual point of view, albeit negligible from a purely musical perspective.

 Bright Yellow Moon is a visionary record where the tragic and fragile nature of Tibet and the surreal spirit of Stapleton clash.

Bright Yellow Moon highlights a pivotal spiritual moment for David Tibet during a difficult period marked by illness and reflection. The collaboration with Steven Stapleton brings dark ambient textures mirroring Tibet's deliriums. Despite its conceptual importance, the album struggles musically with an academic feel, where Stapleton's ironic touch slightly undermines the tragic core. The album closes on a hopeful folk ballad, signaling Tibet's emerging faith. Overall, it's essential conceptually but less compelling musically. Dive into the haunting soundscape of Bright Yellow Moon and explore the profound spiritual journey of Current 93 and Nurse With Wound.

 "Have You Seen This Ghost? is seventy-four soporific minutes of the usual whimpers and grotesque atmospheres: nothing new."

 "The Eternal Drowsiness continues to march to the beat of a chamber dark, unique in its kind, but far too prolix and mannered for those already accustomed to feeding on these sounds."

The review discusses the complex and unique nature of 'Have You Seen This Ghost?' by Sopor Aeternus, noting its professional and artistic merits but also its repetitiveness and difficulty for listeners. While the album maintains the artist's signature dark and baroque style, it may feel stagnant and exhausting over its lengthy runtime. The album is a part of a ghost-themed trilogy and offers lyrical growth despite musical stagnation, leaving fans to judge its value for themselves. Dive into the haunting world of Sopor Aeternus and explore the enigmatic 'Have You Seen This Ghost?'—a unique journey for fans of dark and atmospheric music.

 Ulcerate’s death metal is as beautiful as can happen to our ears craving annihilating yet fresh sounds.

 Jamie Saint Merat’s drumming is incredible, carrying the album with restless, nervous hammering and progressive sensitivity.

Ulcerate’s 'The Destroyers Of All' is a profound evolution within death metal, blending brutal technicality with poetic despair. The album's complex structures, masterful drumming, and dissonant guitars create a claustrophobic and apocalyptic atmosphere. The band's ability to merge influences from extreme metal legends with progressive and post-metal elements marks this work as a milestone. This album challenges and redefines death metal's boundaries with a powerful conceptual and musical statement. Dive into Ulcerate’s 'The Destroyers Of All' and experience death metal like never before—brutal, innovative, and deeply moving.

 I conclude: the hell with the Motorhead!, the hell with Sodom and the hell with Darkthrone who have started to do the Motorhead and Sodom!

 Hoest put a lot of stuff into this 'Noregs Vaapen', which lacks the rigor and evocative power I might have expected... but it certainly doesn’t lack the want to kick ass.

The review reflects on Taake’s 2011 album, Noregs Vaapen, contrasting it with the classic debut Nattestid Ser Ported Vid. While the album shows creativity, featuring various styles from black’n’roll to punk and even unexpected banjo parts, it lacks the icy riffs, intense rhythms, and atmospheric power characteristic of classic Norwegian black metal. The presence of guest artists adds some charm, but the whole feels scattered without a strong unifying identity, resulting in an entertaining yet uneven listening experience. Explore Taake’s Noregs Vaapen and experience its unique blend of black metal and unexpected influences today!