Metal Reviews
Metal Reviews
Strangling From Within PECCATUM |
| The tracks are
: Part One : The black and white was meant for Nothing. The shadows meant for ALL. 1. Where do I then Belong 2. Speak of the devil (As the devil may care) 3. The Change 4. The Song which no Name Carry 5. The sand was made of Mountains Part Two : The carrier of Sorrow transforms 6. I Breath without Access to Air 7. The World of no Worlds 8. And Pray for Me 9. An Ovation to Art Heres a little teaser for you. What would you do in your spare time if you just happened to be a member of one of the most influential bands of the last ten yeras or so and who's new album is due for release in early April of this year and is one of the most anticipated for a long time. A) Sit on your backside and do bugger all or B) Form a band with your wife and brother-in-law thats every bit as atmospheric and original and in many ways as ground braking as your main band. Well, if your like me, you would choose B) the you would be in very good company, because thats exactly what Emperor's Ihsahn did in early '98. Peccatum features Ihsahn, his wife Ihriel, brother-in-law Lordpz and was established in order to crate music for the sake of art and to combine the three artistic forces into one. In fact all the band members have contributed equally in the making of this album. The music was written by Ihsahn with inspection and guidance from Ihriel's lyrics, the three of them are also classically trained vocalists, which becomes quite apparent right from the start of the album. Peccatum take great care in making the lyrics, music and vocals into one unit in order to achieve the intended atmosphere and feeling, with each voice carrying its own emotion andthis is used deliberately throughout the album to create wholeness. The album itself consits of nine tracks divided into two parts. Part One entitled 'The black and white was meant for Nothing. The shadows meant for ALL'., while the second part goes under the title of 'The carrier of Sorrow transforms' and with the aural concept of the album reflected in the title it's clearly one of those albums that has to be listened to as a whole to fully appreciate and understand. But there are so many good things happening in each track, I will gladly review some of them to you now. Peccatum combine the world of classical and extrme metal together to create atmosphere and felling and this is evident from the opening two tracks 'Where do I then Belong' and 'Speak of the devil (As the devil may care)' , both tracks contain the elements of classical and metal via some excellent string arrangements, keyboards and traditional metal riffs, buts it's the vocals of all 3 members that make the track and to some extent the album stand out. From child like whispers through to soprano and baritone vocals, Peccatum do indeed bridge the gap between these two musical worlds. As for the metal element, well in tur Ihsahn style it is one the extreme side, but even as songs such as 'The Change' and 'The Song which no Name Carry' unfold your suddenly transferred back into the orchestra pit or to Vienna for a traditional Waltz, O.K., these effects only last for a few seconds, but they leave an everlasting effect on the listener. In fact if you can accept the unexcepted, you'll get much more out of this album. As far as naming a stand out track goes then 'The World of no Worlds' does it for me showing both metal and classical music pushed to it's limits with some fine guitar work and a good rhythm and see if you can spot the almost Police style bass solo mid-song. Oh, and before I forget you simply cant help but fall head over heels in love with the beautiful vocal on 'And Pray for Me' performed with such feeling by Ihriel. At the start of the review I stated that Peccatum was established to create music for the sake of art and by combing classical and extrme metal togehter so well I belive they have done just that. Peccatum is ART Peccatum is ATMOSPHERE Peccatum is FEELING and 'Stranging from Within' come highly recommended!!! Released By Candlelight, 2 Elgin Avenue, London, W9 3QP Tel : 0171 286 1106 Fax : 0171 289 8679 Candlelight Website : http://www.candlelightrecords.co.uk |