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Finally, a voice that breaks the mold... and let me be struck! To know that the band where Carmen Elise Espenaes is a member is even more inspired than that of her sister (Liv Kristine, certainly not a beginner) is almost unbelievable. But reality is sometimes disarming; in 2005 Midnattsol emerged from anonymity with an album quite atypical for the gothic metal world, their debut record for Napalm Records entitled "Where twilight dwells".
Be aware, however, that it is not the singer who is the real surprise within this German band; indeed, it must be said that Carmen has a tone quite similar to her sister's but, although she is able to modulate the melodies of the songs in a sufficiently personal way, she still needs true grooming (though I am sure that time will bring her great satisfaction). What truly amazes is the ability of the band to play within overused structures like those of gothic metal with female vocals, playing somewhat as if Leaves' Eyes stripped their music of all those frills that sometimes make their albums overly pompous and manneristic. No abundance of keyboards, then, but many beautiful folk melodies (do not expect, however, drunken and village party atmospheres in the manner of Korpiklaani); no cutting-edge syncope riffs like Within Temptation, but many beautiful distorted chords with a hint of extreme metal.
This is Midnattsol: an unstoppable force that sweeps through with its fierce guitar charge, merging with the sweetness of a distinctive voice, somewhere between that of a witch and a child (the usual guttural growl has been abolished, a courageous choice worthy of applause), powerful double bass rhythms, and subtle and never intrusive keyboard backgrounds. It is astonishing that the music of this band is firmly erected on guitars (rather strengthened compared to the standards of the genre) instead of keyboards, and that traditional or classical instruments are almost never used to embellish it all. Just an acoustic guitar is enough, and graceful folkloric episodes come to life among one metallic lashing and another, like a flower suddenly bursting through the thickest snow. As testified by the beautiful Nordic setting depicted on the cover, an aura of mysticism referencing Norse mythology permeates every single note of "Where twilight dwells", immersing each track in a cold and icy atmosphere, painting here and there, among the most successful episodes, also patches of pure melancholy.
The opener "Another return" calls for the wildest headbanging, thanks to a granite and scratchy rhythm that accompanies the low tones of Carmen's voice, plunging into the nocturnal and Nordic atmosphere recreated by the keyboards, rather overshadowed by the other instruments; but the following "Lament" is even more solid, fast, and engaging. For the background orchestrations, the most malevolent Battlelore are called into play, as well as cousins Leaves' Eyes for the beautiful melodic chorus. "Unpayable silence" is instead the first track that presents slowed rhythms and beautiful acoustic guitar arpeggios, on which the young singer is able to express herself at best, intoning folk litanies with a palpable melancholic mood, freeing herself also from the rather cumbersome comparisons of the previous tracks. In the second part, electric guitars intervene, and all the elements of Midnattsol's sound blend to create moments of pure magic. Such an excellent song hadn't been heard for a long time. "Haunted" presses the accelerator again, but it is clear by now that the band excels in slower tracks, with its intense Nordic ballads. The best indeed comes with "Tarefall" and the long "Tapt av hap" which resume the semi-acoustic discourse traced by the third track on the list. It is a real pity that in other episodes, the blend between the acoustic and electronic components did not give rise to equally heartfelt and moving melodies, despite all pieces being well structured and engaging (among all the more metallic episodes of the platter I feel compelled to recall the dark "Infinita fairytale"), demonstrating a style that lives on its own.
So we are not facing a masterpiece, but rather a more than welcome and much more than sufficient debut. "Where twilight dwells" is an album that perhaps doesn’t have the makings to go down in history, but it showcases uncommon class and deserves at least to be listened to by all those who love folk metal with gothic hues. It must also be said that amid so many older bands struck by sudden drops of inspiration or increasingly dominant commercial ambitions, noticing that there are still inspired and passionate musicians is really pleasant and gratifying for the listener. For this reason, Midnattsol is a reality to keep an eye on; who knows if in the future they won’t give us an even better work. As I see it, all the conditions are there.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Another Return (05:03)
It's newmoon time, you're seeking
suspect every blurry sight
new fallen snow
it flatters in the misty light
Can you hear them speaking?
Tones from a hidden place
with a licentiuos play
they reach you in a sensous way
Do return!
They're not gods,
not human.
Reality is not far away
not close
Is there a reason?
Like a laughing silence
it hits you everytime you turn around
Is there a reason?
A unique moment fills you
sorrow is far away
such a spiritual sense
this balance; undeniable!
The tingle in my body
makes me wanna fly
Drifting on waves
the only sight is new moon's light
02 Lament (04:06)
As I stood in the shade there beside him
and as eyes turned to a paler shade of crimson
as I felt cold blood waves running down my spine
then I knew he wouldn't return
Maybe I should have known (better)
some things we just have to bear
I thought I could - still can't
I saw it all coming down
That's what life's all about
experience the unknown
now I know I'd rather not
(sometimes) fear is our only foe
As I stood in the shade there beside them
and as eyes runed to a brighter shade of blue again
with a glimpse of an eye he did understand
then he knew I wouldn't return
Maybe I should have known (better)
some things we just have to stand
I thought I could - still can't
I saw them both die in vain
That's what life's all about
experience the unknown
now I know I'd rather not
(sometimes) fear is our only foe
05 Desolation (04:22)
I wonder how it feels to be loved
I wonder how it is to be touched
See all the others holding their hands
And I'm still alone with myself
Say that you love me
Say that you care
I want you to love me
To kiss me and hug me
And I want you to never let go of me
(I want you to never let go)
Let it go, let it flow, let me feel free
I never want you to go
Let it go, let it flow, let me feel free
I only want to be loved
I wonder what I have done wrong
I wonder what I could have done
Eyes are just staring
Why can't you see
I am who I am and no one else
Say that you love me
Say that you care
I want you to love me
To kiss me and hug me
And I want you to never let go of me
(I want you to never let go)
Let it go, let it flow, let me feel free
I never want you to go
Let it go, let it flow, let me feel free
I only want to be loved
I wonder how it feels to be loved
I wonder how it is to be touched
See all the others holding their hands
And I'm still alone with myself
07 Tårefall (04:22)
When the ice sings her lullaby
When seeds are spread
Blue sky is inside
Only once I sensed the spring
Living memories
Like yesterday
In sunshine they belong
Not in frozen minds
(not in frozen minds
Should they exist)
I can't hide
Surroundings of darkest light
The claws of the past
Appear in every shadow
Emptiness
In my veins, in my heart, in the air!
I sacrificed all
Could I bare it again?
Belief in faith was near,
But then there were flames and I feared
Again
The failed procedure
Rests in me
Peace
I won't find
Before I see you smiling again
I won't sleep
Before I see you smiling
The notes of your story
Are written in me
Peace
I won't find
Before I hear the tunes again
I won't sleep
Before I hear your melody
09 På leting (04:07)
Kem e eg?
Koffår leve me her å nå?
Kem e du?
Ka vil skje I framtiå
Fins det fler?
E der någen som passe på?
E der svar?
Vil me någen gang vida mer?
Me havet der finne eg ro
Ro te å ver meg sjøl
Ta meg me
Og led meg på min vei
Tankene flykte me
Te et ukjent sted
Kom me meg
Så vil du se din vei
De e mørkt
Eg vett at tiå går å går
Redd å kal
Prøve å finna et svar på alt
De e ikje lett å forstå
Koffår jordå miste sin glød
Me maktens hån
Kem bestemme over liv å død
11 Tapt av håp (07:55)
Kanske vil der gå både vinter og vår, vinter og vår
og næste sommer med, og det hele år, og det hele år
men engang vil du komme, det ved jeg vist, det ved jeg vist
og jeg skal nok vente, for det lovte jeg sidst, det lovte jeg sidst
Gud styrke dig, hvor du i verden går, i verden går
Gud glæde dig, hvis du for hans fodskammel står, for hans fodskammel står
Her skal jeg vente til du kommer igjen, du kommer igjen;
og venter du hist oppe, vi træffes der, min ven, vi træffes der min ven!
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