KLIMT 1918

KLIMT 1918
JUST IN CASE WE'LL NEVER MEET AGAIN (2008)
320 KBPS

The best way I can describe this band is to think of Explosions in the Sky, only with a fantastic vocalist.
Imagine the most inspiring U2 song you've ever heard, now blend that with harder hitting drums, fast, major key, tremolo picked guitars and one excellent singer and you're thinking of Klimt 1918. I am now and forever will be in love with this band. They sound like the happiest moment of your life turned up to 11. Listening to these guys makes me feel like I'm 17 and in love for the first time.
This CD in particular has a really epic, cinematic quality that would sound great as a soundtrack to a sports drama or a big, epic romance. It's like a story that starts with a lot of pain and sorrow, but somehow manages to end in the best way possible without being cheesy at all.
If you're a fan of the aforementioned bands or just all out beautiful, uplifting, inspirational music, you should most definitely get this album. I hope you fall in love with it like I did. Klimt 1918 deserve a lot more exposure than they're getting.

1. The Breathtaking Days (via lactea)
2. Skygazer
3. Ghost of a Tape Listener
4. The Graduate
5. Just an Interlude in Your Life
6. Just in Case We'll Never Meet Again
7. Suspense Music
8. Disco Awayness
9. Atget
10. All Summer Long
11. True Love Is the Oldest Fear

THE ABSOLUTE SUPPER

COLD MEAT INDUSTRIES PRESENTS
THE ABSOLUTE SUPPER
(1998)
320 KBPS

Swedish label Cold Meat Industry delivers here a 2 cds selection of their catalog. This compiltation is now sold out but, lucky you!, Moodswings had it in stores and is proud to present this collection of previously unreleased material. A healthy dose of Cold Meat Industry's most ominous acts of the label's first 10 years.
The first disk is fanatastic neo-classical. In Slaughter Natives, The Protagonist, Ordo Equilibrio, and Arcana stand out as stunning soundscapes of dramatic pain. The bleak narration of Puissance' "Love incinerate" captures a scene of the apocalypse, literally. All this is not to say the rest of the cd is filler. Listened to in it's entirety, I find myself in corners of my mind long forgotten.
The second half of "The Absolute Supper" taps into the power-noise, experimental, and industrial ambience that has made bands like Brighter Death Now and MZ.412 infamous. Some points of the tracks drag on with loops barely overcoming inertia. Extremely stark. Actually towards the end, the Ildfrost tracks ressemble the directions of early Delerium.
This is absolutely worth the time.

Disc One
1 In Slaugther Natives : INRI... raped by the Cross
2 The Protagonist : Imitation
3 The Protagonist : Zoroaster
4 Ordo Equilibrio : The perplexity of hybris. I glorify myself
5 Sanctum : {/}
6 Puissance : Love incinerate
7 Arcana : Winds of the lost souls
8 Mortiis : Child of curiosity & the old man of knowledge
9 Desiderii Marginis : Chaos undivided
10 Sephiroth : R'lyeh
11 Raison d'Être : The verge of somnolence
12 Hazard : Who blew out the Northern lights?

Disc Two
1 Brighter Death Now : I wish I was a little girl
2 Frozen Faces : Zyklon B Doll
3 MZ.412 : NBS act1 begravning
4 Megaptera : Don't descecrate the dead
5 Deutsch Nepal : Logo
6 Nacht : Svartsinn
7 Archon Satani : A time of ruin
8 Ildfrost : Hearts perturbe
9 Ildfrost : Slept awake
10 Cintecele Diavolui : The Devil must kill

TYPE O NEGATIVE

TYPE O NEGATIVE
OCTOBER RUST (1996)
320 KBPS

BLOODY KISSES established Type O Negative as one of the biggest goth-type hard rock groups of all time. While showcasing epic songs and vampiric vocals, KISSES brought Type O into the spotlight, earning them a rabid fanbase and winning some critics over in impressive fashion. OCTOBER RUST turns up the melodic elements of Type O Negative, while the hard thrash mostly takes a backseat here, but make no mistake...this is still a beautifully crafted metal monster.
The two opening tracks, one untitled the other "Bad Ground" are meant to be sarcastic, as they explain on track #2. But "Love You To Death" is quite possibly one of the most beautiful love ballads Type O has ever written, and its the more melodic metal that you're likely to find throughout the album. Highlights include the stomping cover of "Cinnamon Girl"; the incessantly catchy dirge of "My Girlfriend's Girlfriend"; the semi-creepy haunt of "Haunted"; and the beautiful yet transparently sick "Wolf Moon", which is an ode to a woman's monthly friend crossed with a little lycanthropic element. "Die With Me" is probably the lightest song Type O have committed to album, but it's got some clever and funny lyrics, some sweet but also darkly sarcastic. "In Praise of Bacchus" features a guest vocal spot from Pist-On's princess Valium, and the duet with her and Peter is quite good.
Peter was quoted as saying that OCTOBER RUST would showcase a "more melodic side" of Type O Negative. Throughout most of the album, it is indeed a more melodic and toned down record, emphasizing more melody over thrash and dark metal. While this album might not be to everyone's liking, OCTOBER RUST is the "melodic" side of Type O Negative.

1. Bad Ground
2. Intro (untitled)
3. Love You to Death
4. Be My Druidess
5. Green Man
6. Red Water (Christmas Mourning)
7. My Girlfriend's Girlfriend
8. Die With Me
9. Burnt Flowers Fallen
10. In Praise of Bacchus
11. Cinnamon Girl (Neil Young Cover)
12. The Glorious Liberation of the People's Technocratic Republic of Vinnland by the Combined Forces of the United Territories of Europa
13. Wolf Moon [Including Zoanthropic Paranoia]
14. Haunted
15. Outro (untitled)

TYPE O NEGATIVE

TYPE O NEGATIVE
BLOODY KISSES (1993)
320 KBPS

Bloody Kisses was Type O Negative's major step forward, maintaining the long, repetitive song structures of albums past, but adding more atmospheric synths and left-field Beatlesque pop melodies. The quantum leap in songwriting is what really drives the album, but it also coincides with a newfound sense of subtlety. Aside from a couple of smart-aleck rants, Peter Steele's dark, melodramatic songs address heartbreak and loneliness in what sounds at first like deadly serious overkill. But not far beneath the surface, he's also satirizing his own emotional excesses, and those of goth rock in general. Steele's lyrics gleefully wallow in goth clichés -- sex, death, Christianity, vampires, more sex, and death -- and he even sings most of the album in an intentionally vampiric croon straight from the depths of an ancient crypt. Among other things, that delivery lends hilarious irony to a glum cover of Seals & Crofts' soft rock hit "Summer Breeze"; it's also perfect for the deadpan mockery of the goth-girl character sketch "Black No. 1." Hardly any of the songs need to be as long as they are, but that ridiculous excess is all part of Type O Negative's sly, twistedly affectionate send-up of goth rock conventions. Though it sounds like a funeral, Bloody Kisses' airy melodicism and '90s-style irony actually breathed new life into the flagging goth metal genre, and the album is an often overlooked forerunner to alternative metal's limited appropriation of goth style.

1. Machine screw
2. Christian woman
3. Black n° 1
4. Fay wray come out and play
5. Kill all the white people
6. Summer breeze
7. Set me on fire
8. Dark side of the womb
9. We hate everyone
10. Bloody kisses
11. 3.0.I.F.
12. Too late : frozen
13. Blood & fire
14. Can't lose you

DEAD CAN DANCE

DEAD CAN DANCE
TOWARD THE WITHIN (1994)
320 KBPS

A large reason that Dead Can Dance tours and performances were so praised by hardcore fans lay in the band's welcome preference for unknown and otherwise unheard material, rather than simply rehashing expected numbers. Bootlegging of these tracks and performances was understandable and widespread, so involved and passionate was the band's following. Recorded at a Los Angeles performance from the Into the Labyrinth tour, the astounding Toward the Within shows that the band's magic was clearly not simply something created in studio. Both lead performers are simply in excelsis, their vocal abilities hardly diminished by the rigors of the road — if anything, they sound even more inspired as a result. The range of instruments tackled is testimony to the group's breadth, from the yang ch'in, a Chinese equivalent to hammered dulcimer, to a wide range of drums. As for the songs, only four of the fifteen had been officially released before, including fine takes on "Cantara," "Song of the Sibyl" and "Yulunga (Spirit Dance)." As for the numerous new delights, Perry has a number of solo or near-solo tracks he performs with acoustic guitar. These include the lovely "American Dreaming" and the mystical set-closing "Don't Fade Away," calling to mind Tim Buckley's sense of scope and vision. Gerrard's unquestioned highlight is the combination of "Tristan" and "Sanvean," the latter of which is an awesome, widescreen number that became an undisputed highlight on her solo debut The Mirror Pool. Perhaps the most astonishing numbers are "Rakim," featuring a striking intertwining of Perry and Gerrard's singing, and a version of Sinead O'Connor's "I Am Stretched on Your Grave" that redefines passionate drama.

1. Rakim
2. Persian Love Song
3. Desert Song
4. Yulunga (Spirit Dance)
5. Piece for Solo Flute
6. Wind That Shakes the Barley
7. I Am Stretched on Your Grave
8. I Can See Now
9. American Dreaming
10. Cantara
11. Oman
12. Song of the Sibyl
13. Tristan
14. Sanvean
15. Don't Fade Away

YEARNING

YEARNING
PLAINTIVE SCENES (1999)
320 KBPS

A fine example of melancholic metal, Yearning gets often labeled Atmospheric Doom Metal which loosely fits their sound while not decribing it perfectly. On "Plaintive Scenes", their second full-length, the band displays some classy goth-like atmospheric metal with flute, female vocals and keyboards as key elements in their sound. Sadly, shortly after the album was released, three member, including flutist/vocalist Tiina Ahonen, left which caused their sound to drastically change and not for the better if you ask me. Anyway, Plaintive Scenes remains their finest album and a striking example of how well metal can express sadness and disillusion. A must hear if you're into that kind of mood.

1. Naïveté
2. Unwritten
3. Grey
4. Soliloqui
5. Plaintive Scenes
6. Soliloqui II
7. Eyes of the Black Flame
8. Nameless
9. Hidden Track

PARADISE LOST

PARADISE LOST
HOST (1999)
320 KBPS

If you are a Paradise Lost completist, or if you are open to the idea of your favorite bands expanding into different territories, then give this a shot. This is Paradise Lost expanding their furthest into pop-gothic territory, only to start returning to a more rock format on the next album, semi-closer to their roots in doom metal. I love this album. If you are open-minded to the electronica experimentation, you will find an album using the subtleties of Paradise Lost's common song structures and instrumentation to assist the band in finding new ways of exploring a dark and introspective sound. A must try for sure!

1. So Much Is Lost
2. Nothing Sacred
3. In All Honesty
4. Harbour
5. Ordinary Days
6. It's Too Late
7. Permanent Solution
8. Behind the Grey
9. Wreck
10. Made the Same
11. Deep
12. Year of Summer
13. Host
Bonus Tracks
(Japanese Edition)
14. So Much Is Lost (Lost in Space Mix)
15. Languish
16. So Much Is Lost (String Version)

THE CULT

THE CULT
LOVE (1985)
320 KBPS

1985's Love displayed a marked improvement over the Cult's early material, and though it remains underappreciated in America (worldwide it was a smash), this exceptional record has actually aged better than the band's more notorious (and equally important) releases: Electric and Sonic Temple. Equal parts psychedelic hard rock and new wave goth, the songs on Love emanate a bright guitar sheen, tight arrangements, crisp drumming, and a command performance from vocalist Ian Astbury, who as usual says a lot more with less than most singers. Overall, the album benefits from a wonderful sense of space, thanks in large part to guitarist Billy Duffy (who is much more subdued here than on future releases), whose restraint is especially notable on "Revolution" and the remarkably uncluttered title track. Duffy also provides compelling melodies ("Hollow Man," "Revolution"), driving riffs ("Nirvana," "The Phoenix"), and even a U2-like intro to "Big Neon Glitter." Also on offer is the near-perfect "She Sells Sanctuary" and the smash hit "Rain," quite possibly the band's most appealing single ever. Considering the musical schizophrenia that would plague each subsequent Cult release, Love just may be the band's purest moment.

1. Nirvana
2. The Big Neon Glitter
3. Love
4. Little Face*
5. Brother Wolf, Sister Moon
6. Rain
7. The Phoenix
8. The Hollow Man
9. Revolution
10. She Sells Sanctuary
11. Judith*
12. Black Angel
* Bonus tracks

THE GATHERING

THE GATHERING
HOW TO MEASURE A PLANET? (1998)
320 KBPS

If Mandylion and Nighttime Birds were the warm-up, then How to Measure a Planet? is the real deal. The Gathering have always had a talent for progressive-sounding metal, but with this release they take the style to a whole new level. Anneke Van Giersbergen's vocals are the stuff of dreams, and the band's sound is stepped up more than just a few notches. Centered on the concept of travel and movement, all the tracks on this two-disc set actually make you feel like you are on a journey with the band. From the gentle "Rescue Me" to Sabbath-esque rockers like "Liberty Bell," the band is able to create an ethereal atmosphere without sacrificing any of its power. This album takes metal to a beautiful new place.

Disc 1
1. Frail
2. Great Ocean Road
3. Rescue Me
4. My Electricity
5. Liberty Bell
6. Red Is A Slow Colour
7. The Big Sleep
8. Marooned
9. Travel

Disc 2
1. South American Ghost Ride
2. Illuminating
3. Locked Away
4. Probably Built In The Fifties
5. How To Measure A Planet?

ARCANA

ARCANA
RASPAIL (2008)
320 KBPS

For those pining for the deathly side of lustrous medieval beauty, look no further than Arcana.
In general, one could describe the atmosphere conjured within Raspail as being rather introspective, even bordering upon esoteric. Fronted by the hypnotizing, deep voice of Peter Bjärgö, this project in some ways could be compared to those fallen regents of the medieval genre, Dead Can Dance; even Bjärgö's own presence is at times like a specter of Brendan Perry. However, the key word here is "specter;" Arcana may also be quite rooted in the neoclassical, yet their facade is far more grim in comparison.
If one could pinpoint Raspail with a single word, it would perhaps be "haunted." This Swedish band here has effectively painted a work in ancient instruments and vivid hymns the feeling of being lost in a Scandinavian forest in winter, as the sun begins to set for a 30 day span. Chilly and certainly macabre, it is a must for fans of the bleaker ends of the neo-folk genre.

1. Abrakt
2. Sight of relief
3. Invisible motions
4. Outside your world
5. Parisal
6. Autumnal
7. Out of the gray ashes
8. Lost in time
9. In remembrance
10. Circumspection

MOONSPELL

MOONSPELL
SIN/PECADO (1997)
320 KBPS

"Sin/Pecado" is very different from the previous albums, but Moonspell has taught us that that is positive and that we don't have to fear change. This is the most calm Moonspell album, still influenced by Doom Metal but more centered in the Gothic Metal environment, giving this album a newer, more emotional and beautiful athmosphere. For this reasons the rough vocals aren't as used as in "Wolfheart" or "Irreligious" and clean vocals make most of the album, showing us another side of Fernando Ribeiro's singing capabilities.
"Slow Down" is a small introduction and preceds the excellent "handmadeGod", which shows a great combination between keyboards and guitars. "2econd Skin" has a catchy chorus and great guitars. "Abysmo" follows the same logic. "Flesh" has an oriental sound and works as an introduction to the fantastic "Magdalene", where we clearly hear an electronic touch. "V.C. Gloria Domini" reveals great guitars and keyborads. Next track, "EuroticA", has electronic elements all over it, and Fernando Ribeiro practically seems to be speaking, which gives an amazing and very different environment. "Mute" has a nice chorus, great guitars and keyboards. Track ten is "DeKadence" and has some of the best lyrics of this album and sounds great as well. "Let The Children Cum To Me..." is another excellent track, with a nice melody, mainly thanks to great guitar work. "The Hanged Man" is the last "real" song on this album, as "13!" is just some seconds of an electronic sound, a nice way of ending the work.
The poetic lyrics are all in charge of Fernando Ribeiro and again this is another perfect aspect, texts that you wont get from any other band. It's erotic, irreligious, beautiful, controvertist, original, it's amazing.
All the elements in this album fit perfectly in every single second of music here. "Sin/Pecado" is the highest expoent of a melodic, melancholic, sad, relexing but still Metal complex combination suprebly executed. An album that no Gothic Metal fan should miss, even though it's not Moonspell's best work.

1. Slow Down!
2. handmadeGod
3. 2econd Skin
4. Abysmo
5. Flesh
6. Magdalene
7. V.C. (Gloria Domini)
8. EuroticA
9. Mute
10. Dekadance
11. Let The Children Cum To Me...
12. The Hanged Man
13. 13!

LITFIBA

LITFIBA
12-5-87:
APRITE I VOSTRI OCCHI (1987)
320 KBPS

Released when the band had 5 studio albums under their belt, 12-5-87 (Aprite i Vostri Occhi) was Italian band Liftiba's first live release. Haunted and passionate, this is a real live album with, no studio overdubs, that perfectly pictures the terrific blend of new wave and gothic rock the band displayed in those days. I first heard this one when it was released and still consider it one of the best live albums of all times and the finest music ever released by Liftiba. It is not perfect, but then no real live album is and, its very flaws give it an extra charm I'd have difficulty describing. Anyway, if you want something that rocks, this one's for you.

1. Come un Dio
2. Resta
3. La preda
4. Cane
5. Tziganata
6. Ferito
7. Apapaia
8. Re del silenzio
9. Vendette
10. Luna
11. Ballata

THE GATHERING

THE GATHERING

THE WEST POLE (2009)
192 KBPS

New album from the most famour Dutch band in the universe. In my opinion, it's a return to form compared to their 2006 release, Home.
This album will be released on May 4th, enjoy the advance copy and buy it as soon as you can.

1. When Trust Becomes Sound
2. Treasure
3. All You Are
4. You Promised Me a Symphony
5. The West Pole
6. Capital of Nowhere
7. No Bird Call
8. Pale Traces
9. No One Spoke
10. Constant Run

NEW MODEL ARMY

NEW MODEL ARMY
THE COLLECTION (2004)
320 KBPS

This 15 songs selection may very well be the best way to enter New Model Army's massive discography. It's not all the good things delivered by Justin Sullivan's band but it's good enough if you've never heard of the band before. Their unusual blend of gothic rock is well represented by some classics songs from their EMI era in a little over one hour. Be curious, try it.

1. Stupid Questions
2. 225
3. 11 Years
4. Courage
5. Space (Live)
6. Heroes
7. 51st State
8. Vanity
9. No Rest
10. Ballad Of Bodmin Pill
11. Deadeye
12. Smalltown England (Live)
13. Drag It Down
14. Charge
15. The World

PARADISE LOST

PARADISE LOST
IN REQUIEM (2007)
320 KBPS

Although I am a fan of both the doom/death metal Paradise Lost of yore and the band's more recent, electro-synth-goth incarnation, it seems to me that albums after 2001's Believe In Nothing were progressively getting less and less inspired, with the songwriting sometimes receding into trivial cliché, and with the band having a hard time in general spawning what is their definitive trademark regardless of current musical style - songs that are both emotionally punishing and expertly written. Already on their self-titled tenth album the chaps from Halifax tried to re-energize their music by returning to a decidedly heavier sound; however, it is finally with In Requiem that they full-heartedly embrace their old style (circa Icon and Draconian Times) while losing none of the subtlety that they have been exploring since One Second.
Yes - it's true - Nick Holmes even sometimes growls on this album, such as on the mind-numbingly excellent opener that is "Never For The Damned". It is obvious that he has decided that he no longer has anything to prove as a versatile vocalist and its OK now to go back a little to his older style. "Ash And Debris", "The Enemy" and the title track all follow in a similar vein, with heavy rhythms, loud guitars and harsh vocals dominating the songwriting. "The Enemy" in particular stands out as an exceptionally catchy song and it is therefore not surprising that it has been selected to be released as a single. The return to a heavier style also largely saves us from the increasingly kitschy use of samples and keyboards that PL have been developing on their previous two albums. Luckily for those of us who like variety in our music, PL doesn't totally abandon their more subtle style here and there are some truly excellent, melancholic moments on this album too - "Unreachable", "Beneath Black Skies" and "Sedative God" stand out in this respect. "Prelude To Descent" is a full-fledged doom-metal dirge, while "Your Own Reality" is a return to the Depeche Mode-like sound of Host. All in all, one could definitely say that Paradise Lost chose the best elements of most of their past discography (except for the really extreme early stuff) and created an album that capably shows them all off.
Although Paradise Lost never really released anything that could even remotely be considered crap, In Requiem stands as one of their best works - and this is saying a lot. To be placed on the same pedestal as Icon, Draconian Times and One Second, the music on this record speaks for itself and it of interest to anyone considering themselves a fan of this band or of doom metal, gothic metal or any other melancholic type of metal.

1. Never For The Damned
2. Ash & Debris
3. The Enemy
4. Praise Lamented Shade
5. Requiem
6. Unreachable
7. Prelude To Descent
8. Fallen Children
9. Beneath Black Skies
10. Sedative God
11. Your Own Reality

LISA GERRARD

LISA GERRARD
BEST OF (2007)
320 KBPS

Gerrard's career takes in almost two decades with Dead Can Dance, award-winning motion picture soundtracks, and a series of acclaimed solo and collaborative albums. This 13-track survey offers a concise and convincing insight into the various strands of her musical output. This album was selected and sequenced by Lisa herself; it blends soundtrack work, Dead Can Dance highlights, and the pick of her solo recordings into a seamless and spellbinding whole. Deluxe 24-page booklet with translucent vellum pages. "Listening to Lisa Gerrard sing is a lot like watching actress Cate Blanchett sweep through the film 'Elizabeth' - it's a stunning, flawless performance, alive with the trappings of royalty and tinged with the aura of bygone times. Try as you might, you just can't fault it".

1. The Wheat
2. Elyrium
3. Sacrifice
4. Ariadne
5. Sanvean (Live)
6. The Host Of Seraphim
7. Cantara
8. Swans
9. The Promized Womb
10. Yulunga (Spirit Dance)
11. Indus
12. Persephone (The Gathering Of Glowen)
13. Go Forward
14. See The Sun
15. Now We Are Free

THE PROVENANCE

THE PROVENANCE
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE SPAT AT (2004)
320 KBPS

The Provenance is this unfairly ignored Swedish band which used to play well-made gothic metal with female plus extreme male vocals, like a good thousand other bands, but with a great deal of originality that distinguished them from the rest. Their second album Still At Arms Length had been critically acclaimed for its fair melodies and its overall excellence. How things can change in just two years... Most bands usually remove progressively all the extreme elements from their music, but not The Provenance. They've thoroughly changed the whole sound of their compositions. It can't be the same band! They got rid of the extreme vocals, of the fast-paced tempos and of the most blatantly metal features of their music, such as the heavy riffs or the acute production. And I have a much more mixed opinion on How Would You Like...
The music has gone from pure metal to a kind of experimental doom/goth, with the addition of samples and atmospheric passages. The result can remind of a rock version of Katatonia or Amorphis, but it lacks the brilliance of these two bands. I'd say that only half the songs really present interest, since the rest gets bogged down in overexperimentation. I have nothing against originality as long as it remains catchy and understandable. The problem is, some passages here are far too messy or laborious to grab my attention. Another problem comes from the average production that makes the album sound like electro stuff, which doesn't provide some songs with the powerful sound they'd otherwise deserve. Last thing I don't like: the male vocals. As I said above, no more screams, but clean vocals a la Katatonia. That would be all good, if only Tobias Martinsson was not a bit weak on some passages...
Let's not be completely negative, though. There are still very good features, like the vocals of Emma Hellström which sound much more pop than before, but keep a force that can make some green with envy. It's also one of the originalities that the sweetness of the vocals is out of step with the utter violence of the lyrics (you have to hear her sing with an angel-like voice "I will retaliate!! Stomp your bloody face into the ground", or "I put her down, bashed her with a brick"). The lyrics are one of the strongest points: extremely violent, bitter and cold, like a big "Fuck You!!" to all the people who tried to hurt them all over their career and their life. I don't know what happened to drummer Joel Lindell, but he sure was angry when he wrote it all... One last word about the music, just to say that the five or six good songs conceal a wealth of beauty, strangeness and sweetness, like the doomy opener (maybe the best song here) "WoH II Tsc" or "Kick You So Hard", this weird song that sounds like Björk.
Finally I don't really know what to think about this album. It is obviously not really metal anymore, some songs are certainly not worth your interest and I have the feeling that they wanted so much to differentiate themselves from what was expected that they eventually more or less failed. But on the other hand, the good songs may warrant the purchase of How Would You Like To Be Spat At. Anyway, if you're interested in something that crosses the boundaries of what you usually listen to, The Provenance might be a good treat.

1. Woh II TSC
2. Heroine
3. Catching Scarlet in the Sun
4. How Would you Like to Be a Spat at
5. Some Gossip on Stealing an Epouse
6. Going Down
7. Considering the Gawk , the Drool , the Bitch and the Fool
8. Kick You so Hard
9. About a Whore , About a Kill
10. Speeding to Get by

THE PROVENANCE

THE PROVENANCE
STILL AT ARMS LENGTH (2002)
320 KBPS

Still at Arms Length, the second album from Sweden's the Provenance proves that the quintet is a true anomaly within their native Gothenburg. Shirking the high-velocity, melodic death metal style which has put their town on the world's musical map, the band pursues a much more laid-back direction, mixing gothic tendencies and mournful atmospherics with progressive rock ambitions. Heavy metal guitars can also be found in abundance here (see the forceful "Mimic" and "At Random Choose"), but about the only death metal-related ingredient in sight involves male vocalist Tobias Martinsson's occasional growls. Other than that, the Provenance excel at conjuring vast landscapes of sound (check out disc highlights "Climbing Ideals," "Carousel of Descent" and the title track), which are often very reminiscent of Dutch sensations the Gathering. But they also experiment with surprisingly fitting organs and flute, both courtesy of lead singer Emma Hellstrom. As the band's main focal point, Hellstrom also proves her mettle as a capable and versatile stylist, but doesn't yet possess the distinctive, self-asserting charisma to compete on par with other prog-metal sirens such as the Gathering's Anneke van Giersbergen or Lacuna Coil's Cristina Scabbia. Nor is the Provenance's vision as mature or developed all around, but there's plenty of evidence and potential here to suggest this may be just around the corner.

1. Climbing Ideals
2. Tearful Bitter Broken
3. Carousel Of Descent
4. The Ardbeg Experience
5. Mimic
6. At Random Choose
7. World Of Hurt
8. At Arms Length

RAJNA

RAJNA
BLACK TEARS (2006)
320 KBPS

Retrospective compilation covering the first 6 years of the band's existence, taking songs from all their albums, a couple of rarities, and 5 new tracks exclusive to this release. The royalties are to be donated to an organisation involved with building a school for Tibetan children. The music is a heady, darkly atmospheric combination of Eastern music, ambient, classical, choral, medieval, experimental, new age relaxation music, and occasionally heavy dance beats. There is also Division Alpha's remix of Buried Philae, combining operatic vocals with sinister 80s synth, dulcimer, spoken word and bombastic drumming.
Rajna are often compared to Dead Can Dance, and not without reason. DCD are clearly a major influence for Rajna; both bands have a dark take on world music/ancient music and use instruments such as dulcimer, and it's no coincidence that one of the tracks featured here is a cover of DCD's Cantara. However Rajna's approach strikes me as a little more abstract than DCD on many occasions, with a stronger emphasis on the ambient/overtly experimental side of things.
A recommended introduction to the creative, expressive and atmospheric music of Rajna.

1. Black Tears (Edit) 1.29
2. Traoma 6.58
3. Sanctuary 4.45
4. Pearl of Ashes 4.47
5. Glorian 4.56
6. Sién 3.54
7. The Door of Serenity 6.06
8. Mona Lyssa 3.49
9. Shalai 3.05
10. Cantara 5.15
11. Kalimbha 5.17
12. Shushai 3.43
13. Dervishing 5.07
14. Aswan 5.39
15. Trehya Man 4.21
16. Buried Philae (Division Alpha Remix) 4.55
17. Black Tears 4.36

THE GATHERING

THE GATHERING
IF_THEN_ELSE (2000)
320 KBPS

If_Then_Else is widely considered The Gathering's finest work to date, and I'm not in disagreement with that statement either. There's enough semblance to earlier works which keep things from getting dull but there's also huge growth and sure signs of The Gathering spreading their wings musically as well. With three albums under Anneke's belt at the release of this, she's never sounded better or stronger. As for the rest of the guys, if you've heard any previous record you kind of know what to expect. However, If_Then_Else is truly where they really start experimenting and tweaking their sound.
My favorite songs are Rollercoaster, Bad Movie Scene, Colorado Incident, Saturnine, and Pathfinder. With each further CD The Gathering releases it seems they're competing with no one other than themselves. They're clearly in a league of their own and they have a fanbase that is only growing, knowing that alone should at least pique your interest enough to check them out. Starting here wouldn't be a bad idea either. Happy listening!

1. Rollercoaster
2. Shot to Pieces
3. Amity
4. Bad Movie Scene
5. Colorado Incident
6. Beautiful War
7. Analog Park
8. Herbal Movement
9. Saturnine
10. Morphia's Waltz
11. Pathfinder