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The tracks are :
1. Death in Desire's Masquerade
2. Brides Ghostly Grace
3. Black Roses on Her Grave (Desdemona's Secret)
4. Devil's Paradise
5. The Tragedy of Forsaken Angels
6. Amidst Crimson Stars
7. Babalon Ascends
8. Symphini Satani
9. Vampyresque Wedding Night (Moonlight Love)
Way back at the dawn of time (well 1989) Chris Anderle and
F.T. Kerbs began to gather musicians, who were able to express
their moods and emotion, through the creation of litanies of dark
music.
Ancient Ceremony became a reality in 1991, and began touring
in June 1992, with performances wit such bands as In Flames, Absu
and Impaled Nazarene, and although they released a mini CD back in
1994, it wasn't until September 1997, that their debut album 'Under
Moonlight We Kiss', saw the light of day, an album that truly
realised their concept of a dark, gothic epic played out in vampyric
Symphonies.
Their second album 'Fallen Angel's Symphony' hails not only
a new line-up, but sees the band heading towards the extreme metal
genre, citing influences as varied as Byron, De Sade and Stoker and
musical influences such as Therion, Slayer and even classical composers
such as Bach and Beethoven.
Then take Satanic philosophy, Vampyric beauty and mythology and you
have all the making of an album that will keep most people's blackened
hearts beating for many a day (or night) to come.
Like the vast majority of albums of this type 'Fallen Angel's Symphony'
relies heavily on there creative keyboard work Stefan Muller
with the overall haunting dark feel. But in the case of Ancient
Ceremony they have another ace up their sleeve in the form of
Cynthia Fallmann and Erna Selkavirta, who instead of
just moaning and screaming occasionally sing in alto and soprano which
gives the album a real touch of class while the twin guitar assault
of Patrick Meyer and Marc Barian deliver frantic riffs
and some quite beautiful solos. I think it's also worth mentioning
the vocal talents of Chris Anderle, brutal, aggressive and
at times quite disturbing, but never at any time does he attempt the
so called vampyre screams that is so often found on this type of album.
Lets face it very few people can pull them off and most end up screeching
like a cat that's been caught in a Flymo.
'Fallen Angel's Symphony' draws the listener in like a moth
to a flame, the more you listen the more your drawn into Ancient
Ceremony's dark world. For me there are three tracks that stand
out head and shoulder above the rest 'The Tragedy of Forsaken Angels',
which kicks off with some fine haunting keyboard work before unleashing
some real power voals and guitars, but the song really comes into
it's own in the last quater when the mood changes again, with a fine
guitar solo that creates a beautiful dreamy atmosphere, while 'Amidst
Crimson Stars' has some wonderful vocal performances from both
chantresses and a rock solid rhythm that gives this song a true metal
feel, and for those of you looking for one of those eerie keyboard
interludes that are so common with black metal, wee, there aren't
any, instead you have 'Symphoni Satani', which is a full blown
classical affair with vocals ranging from spoken whispers to choir
like grandeur, well I did say this album had a touch of class about
it.
Enchant your spirit and kiss
eternity by embracing your soul
with the melancholic infinity of Ancient Ceremony.
Released on Cacophonous Records: http://www.cacophonous.com/
231 Portobello Road. London. W11 1LT
Tel : 071 792 9791
Fax : 071 792 9871
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