O Paradis CD Serpiente de Luna, Serpiente de Sol
Published in August MMIII
Last change: 25.3.2006
"There are other worlds in your hands
Dreams that fly like the moon over the sea
And if the sea is inside onself
This is too far away for us
O Paradis wish you a wonderful live
Every minute transform the next one
Is not important if you know and I knows
time is not real"
These words appear on the O Paradis website, and what I have typed is true to the site. I love these words because they are not perfect English, but they are perfect truth. Like the music of O Paradis, they are sentimental, serendipitous, and go straight to the heart. Listening to this disc reminds me of so many wonderful things. Sunset over Lake Chapala in Mexico. Climbing stairs in a castle on a crisp Austrian morning, a castle that took 600 years to build, and which reminds me that I am so very small. The songs and sounds remind me of simple, exquisite things. A fresh, hot cup of coffee; redcold fingers curled around a styrofoam cup, back against the wind. An apple, fresh from a tree. Snaps when you bite it. Cobblestone streets, narrow, winding, wet with fresh rain. Someone singing happy birthday to a child. It's such an emotional journey, this album. Bewitchingly uncluttered. Undisguised. Unfeigned. Almost unbearably radiant. Much of it has to do with the voice of Demian, the man behind these sounds. His voice is the framework on which all these graceful winding vines of song are woven. His voice exudes warmth and friendship; his songs call out to the ocean within. I also love his Castilian Spanish. Such a delight to hear, to be lead by, on these little journeys of thought, elation, and melancholy. The songs at times have an atmosphere reminiscent of Death In June circa "Roseclouds" and at other times are more akin to Allerseelen; extracting illumination from sidewalk cafes and glorious vistas. Demian has created here, a little miracle. To be carried in one's pocket, one's ears, one's heart. A miracle to be turned over and over in the prayerful fingers of perception, until there is nothing left to wish for. (Ginnie Moon) http://www.lunar-hypnosis.com
The sea is a recurring metaphor in the work of O Paradis, used to express
the infinite and symbolically represent the storms and calms of life.
Serpiente De Luna, Serpiente De Sol is a particularly accomplished release
that sets Demian's soft and melodic vocals against a fine array of musical
textures. The accompaniment is restrained, and particularly understated.
Vocal harmonies, touching orchestration, minimal percussion utilising a
myriad of devices all combine to create a captivating release. The
arrangements are particularly effective often built around the bass, and
layered with keyboards, xylophones, flutes. Demian's melodic Spanish vocals
ensure a melancholic air hangs over Serpiente De Luna, Serpiente De Sol
Occassionally a more traditional Catalonian feel permeates the atmosphere,
track 13 even adopts a swingin' trumpet score to which Gerhard (from
Allerseelen) recites from Nietzsche. The involvement of Gerhard of
Allerseelen and Juergen Weber of Novy Svet (see next month for a review of
the O Paradis and Novy Svet collaboration) will undoubtedly assure O Paradis
a significant audience within the post-industrial crowd, but along with
Allerseelen, Derniere Volonté and others who are actively adding fresh
ingredients to the staple post-industrial sound they could easily increase
their profile. There are a number of great tracks here but I'm particularly
taken with 'Ida Y Pingala', 'Llama' and 'El Astro Rey' - previously
available on a split single with Allerseelen. I can't help thinking that a
collaboration with Marc Almond would be more than welcome. Serpiente De
Luna, Serpiente De Sol with its Mediterranean spirit displays a warmth and
passion that really appeals. http://www.compulsiononline.com
O paradis is a unique Neo-Folk act that hails from Spain. Their most recent album "Serpiente de Luna, Serpiente de Sol" sees the band matured into Neo-Folk masters as they continue to give their own unique Mediterranean spin to the neo-folk genre. The main man behind o paradis is Demian. His soul is laid bare in the music and his warm voice cascades over you in romantic waves throughout every song. Those who lok for the more sensitive side of the neo-folk genre will bask in the emotive voice of Demian and the gentle folk inspired orchestrations that frame the album. O Paradis is noticeably not martial in the least. There is slight use of neoclassical elements and a smidgen of bombastic drumming but for the most part o paradis avoids the crowded martial folk waters. O Paradis also offers a ray of light to the neo-folk world and its fans. Demian's suave voice and the predominately-upbeat feel of the music opens the way for neo-folk music in general to be more encompassing. The compositions on "Serpiente de Luna, Serpiente de Sol" are very well conceived. The music evolves never becoming to folk imbedded or to one-dimensional. If you know Spanish then you will also get to enjoy what I assume must be stellar lyricism. Every verse and word is sung with conviction and the romantic Spanish easily melts the coldest heart. A few tracks meander off the path into somewhat shaded forays but the feeling of the music always remains inquisitive as opposed to being oppressive. It is a rather unique experience to hear such quality neo-folk music. "Serpiente de Luna, Serpiente de Sol" proves that there is still a spirit of originality and untapped sources of fresh inspiration to be explored. Fans of neo-folk music that speak Spanish fluently should jump at this album. There is nothing like broadening your listening experience and O Paradis is a competent artist featuring a particularly Mediterranean take on a very tight music genre. The music will be familiar enough yet will also open the windows and let some light in. Faeries new to neo-folk that have an existing interest in Spanish music will find this album an ideal introduction to the genre as well as to the artist O Paradis. From his music, I gather he is a kindred spirit seeking a path similar to many of our own.
http://www.heathenharvest.com/article.php?story=20040606113006126&query=o+paradis
Ô Paradis starts, after two self-produced CDR’s, its travel with ‘Ensueños’, edited by the young Spanish label El Círculo. In this Long Play Ô Paradis fixes the bases that get some evolution with the second CD, ‘Reinos’, edited by El Círculo again. The evolution shines with the homogeneity of the work. ‘Ensueños’ is like a brainstorming of ideas and concepts perfectly developed and united in ‘Reinos’. But in these two records, the monotone rhythmic, percussions and, over all, voice and texts, more poetry than in a usual pop text, creates a very personal style. With the split 7” with Allerseelen, ‘Funke’, in which Ô Paradis contributes with ‘El Astro Rey’, the sound becomes a little bit melodic, pop and with clear strings without losing its own path. After the contributions to compilations like ‘Ducasse’ or ‘Infernal Proteus’, arrives the split CD with Novy Svet, which marks a strong evolution in the Ô Paradis’ music. ‘Entre siempre y jamás…’, edited by the Austrian cult-label Nekofutschata, is a show window where we can find great songs, but closer to Novy Svet’s style than Ô Paradis’. And immediately after this arrives the third CD of Ô Paradis, ‘Serpiente de Luna, Serpiente de Sol’, released this time by the famous label Aorta. Ô Paradis becomes the first group edited by the Austrian label (except Allerseelen itself and the Blood Axis split 7”, of course!). So, with this new long play, the Catalonian group follows the evolution of ‘Entre siempre y jamás…’. More melodic than ever, shows us seventeen pop songs with it’s own personal percussions, texts and industrial elements, giving more dramatic quality to the whole. But the eternal poetry is untouched. Demian talks about the loneliness, the Muse, the nebula, the sex and, of course, about Love, the lost, broken Love. They use catchy refrains in an authentically romantic work. A black sea with a thin horizon of hope. A box of darkness with a little hole of shine. The trip begins with an intro with texts by the Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa, where we find some of the elements that will develop along the work: rarefied atmospheres, obsessive bass, Demian’s suggestive voice and the right choice of the strings (cello), which give a curious softness to the tracks. ‘Ida y Pingala’ shows the humorous side of Ô Paradis. ‘El fuego de la Serpiente’ and ‘El Mar de la Calamidad’ are the firsts amazing songs that confirms the evolution to a stronger melodic way. ‘Octopus’, the contribution of Jürgen Weber (Novy Svet), is a very beautiful song with a very original and curious background that united with the text and voice of Weber gets a special highlight. ‘Sin Nombre’ is a theme in Ô Paradis’ classic way, slow percussions and almost spoken words. ‘Por cuidar de mi, amor’ is a short but intense track with some symphonic elements, relieving the drama. ‘La Tormenta’ is another piece to remark. We can hear percussions that bring us to a weird world and contrast with the precious text over Love and its torments. ‘Un Paisaje nuevo’, a quiet piece with the bests strings ever written by Demian. ‘Palabras’ and ‘Volviendo a casa’, the best examples of O Paradis traditional sound. ‘Llama’ brings the contribution of Gerhard (Allerseelen) to this work, a text by Nietzsche for an obsessive filo-swing that enchains perfectly with ‘El Astro Rey’. This song appears in the mentioned split 7” with Allerseelen. A really beautiful and pop song about summer equinox with acoustics elements that gives a new and soft atmosphere. ‘Tenerte a mi lado’ detaches from the rest for a kind of xylophone and a shy scratch. ‘Si pudieras ver’ is the most romantic piece of the whole about love, feelings and friendship and with a very pleasant percussions and xylophone, again. And finally ‘Jamás del cielo’ returns us to the symphonic way with a great production and unusual hard industrial stuff. A great road to walk through. The pretty and Mediterranean artwork, three-panel digipack, goes hand in hand with the music. Snake, cuttlefish, sailors without faces and an infinite valley for Ô Paradis, the ship that drifts. A beautiful must! (Carles Jiménez)
Non da escludere che l’uscita contemporanea con il terzo capitolo di O Paradis, di cui parlammo in passato per il precedente "Reinos", possa finalmente accentuare l’attenzione sulla sigla catalana. "Serpiente de Luna, Serpiente de Sol" conserva l’atipicità dei trascorsi, di una formula essenziale ma non necessariamente scarna che impiega quasi esclusivamente strumentazione elettronica e campionamenti ma con uno spirito marcatamente folk nella ricerca sistematica di melodie vocali di una istantanea cattivazione che svelano stampo e pathos mediterraneo, con tracce come Ida y Pingala, El mar de la calamidad, Por ciudad de mi, amor, Palabras, Tenerte a mi lado, la già nota El Astro Rey, che possiedono una, pur torbida, immediatezza insolita nell’ambito del genere. Ospiti Weber in Octopus e Gerhard di Allerseelen in Llama, in un paio di testi si ricorre a Pessoa e Nietzsche. (7) (Paolo Bertoni/Blow Up 66)
Serpiente de Luna de Luna Serpiente de Sol' is the third album from Ô Paradis, an excellent Catalonian project guided by Demian. Released on Gerhard's (Allerseelen) label Aorta, the CD comes in a beautiful six-panel digipack featuring some superb graphics by Ricard Recio, which draw immediate attention to the artwork and makes this digipack one of the nicest I have seen for a long time. This brand new CD features seventeen songs (for a total length of one hour) in the pure Ô Paradis style... subtle arrangements mixing natural, electronic, experimental, traditional elements, Demian's enchanting voice singing in Spanish, choirs, languorous melodies and songs ranging from traditional music to pop... everything that makes Ö Paradis such a unique formation is present on this new album, only with more mastery and maturity than in the past... This album also includes friendly collaborations: Jürgen Weber (Novy Svet) for the text and the voice on 'Octopus' and Gerhard for his jazzy swing composition (based on a Nietzsche text) titled 'Llama'. Both are very different contributions by nature of course, but both bring something to the album, as they are part of Demian circle of accomplices.... As for the lyrics, Demian lets us appreciate his unique and charismatic voice singing in Spanish, with a reference to Fernando Pessoa on the 'Introduction' title. Compositions like 'Por Cuidar De Mi, Amor', 'Palabras' or 'Tenerte A Mi Lado', with their characteristic atmosphere full of melancholy and floating impressions are, in my opinion, pure gems... and just ask to be played over and over again... It is also worth mentioning that the excellent title 'El Astro Rey', initially released last April as a 7" split with Allerseelen, also features on this album and it fits in perfectly with the overall atmosphere... To resume (with all that this term implies), I will just recall that Demian confined in our pages a few months ago that he 'lives at twenty minutes in car of the bank that separates these two worlds, the sea and the land...' this might explain, in part, the inspired work, the magic and the strange essence that emanate from this 'Serpiente de Luna Serpiente de Sol'...Highly recommended. Nathalie F. http://www.heimdallr.ch/Reviews/2003/OParadis-Serpiente.html
This latest CD from Demian of O Paradis is issued on the Aorta label run by Gerhard of Allerseelen. My introduction to O Paradis was the split 7" with Allerseelen, and Demian's material here follows the same style of combining laid-back and quite conventional latin pop ballads with very unconventional harsh and industrial percussion and other sound effects. Demian's overall sound is very different from Allerseelen's, but parallels in approach, and shared values, are apparent. And Gerhard actually contributes music and voice to the jazzy 'Llama'. Demian is a rather good crooner, so the occurrence of all the odd sound effects creates a very strange impression, and I don't really know what to make of it. It's rather like listening to the radio on the beach at Llafranch after a couple of glasses of Cuba Libre or a jug of sangria, but finding that some madman has broken into the studio and is accompanying the broadcast with a saucepan and wooden spoons or bouncing a ping-pong ball near the microphone. I'd expect this sort of quirkiness from Norway but have not previously associated it with Catalonia. A special compliment to Ricard Recio for the simple but attractive CD artwork which has a serpentine theme. It's not grey, the text is big enough to read, and there are no dedications to pet cats. What a pleasant change! RIK - 10 September 2003 http://www.fluxeuropa.com/o_paradis-serpiente.htmIf you like the music of groups like Allerseelen,Coil, Novy Svet, Psychic TV, Virgin Prunes and also song-writers as Paolo Conte and Tom Waits, you will soon be in love with the beautiful and mystical songs by the group O Paradis, a unique project from Catalonia, who collaborated with Allerseelen on the 7" Canco de somni/Marques de Pubol. Folklore magico, slow motion pop mediterraneo with a beautiful male voice. The brand-new CD on Aorta Serpiente de Luna, Serpiente de Sol also features a swing tinto composition written by Gerhard (Allerseelen) for O Paradis. One song also contains the voice of Juergen (Novy Svet).
Von der Art und Weise der Musik würde das Album auch ein Tom Waits oder Paolo Conte Liebhaber mögen, ja lieben, wenn sie es nur kennen würden. Dieses Album ist ähnlich knisternd, erotisch, dazu spanisch - europäisch und für unsere Szene atmosphärisch absolut bahnberechend. Der O Paradis Stil macht sie so unverwechselbar. Mit Serpiente de Luna haben O Paradis noch einmal einen ganz großen Satz nach vorne gemacht. Vertont wird neben eigener spanischer Lyrik auch Friedrich Nietzsche (Flamme) und Fernando Pessoa, über den sicherlich bald etwas im Zinnober erscheinen wird. Auf Octopus singt Juergen Weber, und auf Llama hört man Gerhard zu einer bekannten Melodie sprechen. Die Zeit wird zeigen, wie bahnbrechend dieses Album sein wird. Ich vermute sehr - ein neuer Stil kündigt sich an, ich wünsche mir nur zunächst keine Nachfolger. Novy Svet und Allerseelen fingen mit diesem Post-Industrial-Mediterraneo-Folk an. O Paradis ist das Projekt, das das Ganze in wundervollen, europäisch geprägten Düster-Pop überführen kann. (Dominik Tischleder - Zinnober) http://www.zinnober.net/
Passionate mystic parabolas of O Paradis come back in the sign of great mysteries and elements, new energies and more evident and pronounced experimentations. Demian leads us to his third inner journey, rebuilding through his lyrics witched symbols that are animated in whirling presages, esoteric heavens designed with the fire of the poetry. And literature is evolved also through lyrics of Pessoa and Nietzsche, saviour and virtue with no limit. Tracks seem more complex and better arranged that in past, more heterogeneous and mature stylistic references, a refined result to appreciate for a long time. Demian demonstrates more creative distension and concrete inspirations comparing to the greater part of the neofolk/esoteric bands of the present. Acoustic dissolutions are involved in tracks as: "Ida Y Pingala", "Palabras" or "El Astro Rey". The sessions of "Por Cuidar De Mi, Amor", "Jamas Del Cielo", "Llama" (by Allerseelen!) are more outside outline, rebellious and thrilling. Dragging symphonic breezes are fused with lunar atmospheres and hypnotic percussions in "A Paisaje Nuevo", "El Biombo", "El Fuego De La Serpiente", "La Tormenta". The sailing ship of the spiritual calamities." www.twilight-zone.it
Gerhard degli Allerseelen ha avuto il merito di far conoscere al grande pubblico gli iberici O Paradis con una serie di CD editi dalla El Circulo Records e di scarsa distribuzione nei normali circuiti discografici a noi tanto cari. Con il presente e nuovo CD "Serpiente de Luna, Serpiente de Sol" si spera che le gesta di profonda fede mediterranea di Demian abbia una più larga diffusione, perché le romantiche ed intense sonate spagnole degli O Paradis meritano di essere sparse come polvere di stelle sui tetti notturni delle nostre capitali. Anche se a dir la verità, preferisco notevolmente il precedente "Ensuenos", molto più ricco di emozioni, molto più passionale e molto più sofferto. Impressioni che non nasconde la validità di dischi come quest'ultima ode al serpente, luce e notte di una terra, bianco e nero di una passione latina. Si comincia benissimo con forti ed aspri sapori in "Ida Y Pingala" e si chiude con un mieloso rum sorseggiato ascoltando le note ombrose di "Si Pudieras Ver". Nel mezzo ci mette lo zampino anche il buon Gerhard alle prese con "Llama" una danza fra flamenco e sporco blues (?!) , ma non mancano ottime prove come l'avvolgente "Octopus", l'amore lascivo di "Por Cuidar De Mi, Amor" o le morbide pulsazioni orientali di "Palabras". Per quando calienta il sole… http://www.exoteric-zine.com/index2.htm
Tornano nel segno dei grandi misteri e degli elementi le passionali parabole mistiche di O Paradis, energie nuove e sperimentazioni più evidenti e pronunciate. Demian ci conduce nel suo secondo viaggio interiore, ricreando attraverso le sue liriche simboli stregati che si animano in presagi vorticosi, paradisi esoterici disegnati con il fuoco della poesia. E la letteratura viene coinvolta anche grazie all'inserimento di testi di Pessoa e Nietzsche, sapienza e virtù senza limiti quindi. Le tracce sembrano più complesse e meglio arrangiate che in passato, riferimenti stilistici un po' più eterogenei e maturi, un risultato pregevole da apprezzare a lungo. Demian dimostra più distensione creativa e concrete ispirazioni rispetto alla maggior parte delle bands neofolk/esoteric del presente. Acustiche dissoluzioni coinvolgono brani come: "Ida Y Pingala", "Palabras" oppure "El Astro Rey". Più fuori schema, ribelli e spregiudicate le sessioni di "Por Cuidar De Mi, Amor", , "Jamas Del Cielo", "Llama" (by Allerseelen!). Troviamo trascinanti brezze sinfoniche fuse insieme ad atmosfere lunari ed ipnotiche percussioni in "Un Paisaje Nuevo", "El Biombo", "El Fuego De La Serpiente", "La Tormenta". Il vascello delle calamità spirituali. www.twilight-zone.it
O Paradis kenne ich durch Gerhard (Allerseelen), der mir durch sie abermals zeigte, wie begeisterungsfähig er ist. Er beschrieb sie als Mischung aus Virgin Prunes und Psychic TV mit spanischem Charakter und selbstredend komplett spanischem Gesang. Ergänzend könnte man dem noch Crime and the City Solution (Nick Cave) hinzufügen. O Paradis haben einen unglaublich eigenen Sound erschaffen, der sich allen Kategorisierungen entzieht. Es handelt sich um sehr eingängige Musik, die es dem Hörer leicht macht. Man stößt auf eine ungeheure Vielfalt an Details, z. B. Militär-Trommeln (manchmal klingt es wie das Trommeln auf Fässern), die dem ganzen aber keineswegs einen Military-Pop Touch verleihen, sondern eher für einen rituell-meditativen, rhythmusbetonten Charakter sorgen. Verhalten nimmt man auch Naturgeräusche eines spanischen Sommers wahr, die das Ganze ideal für eine bestimmte Rum-Werbung erscheinen lassen. Nein, nicht wirklich ideal, denn als bloße Begleitmusik ist es zu durchdringend und düster. Vielleicht kennt jemand das sehr untypische, auf einem Sartre-Theaterstück basierende Cranes Album "La Tragédie d´Oreste et Électre" - in diese Richtung tendiert O Paradis vor allem mit dem großen Unterschied und Zusatz, daß in der Musik der ganze Reichtum der katalanischen Herkunft O Paradis´ hörbar ist. Ich meine vor allem den Surrealismus eines Salvador Dali, eines Luis Bunuel oder (Ortswechsel nach Mexiko) eines Alejandro Jodorowsky (Santa Sangre). Ich glaube, eine ästhetische Vorstellung der O Paradis Musik ergibt sich vor allem dann, wenn man sich mit diesen Dingen beschäftigt. O Paradis sind vor allem unglaublich dunkel, tief-traurig und ja, spanisch - und zwar genauso, wie man sich das als Klischee mit Adjektiven wie "stolz" und "sinnlich" vorstellt. Natürlich gibt es auch atmosphärische Parallelen zu den befreundeten Novy Svet und (neueren) Allerseelen, aber O Paradis sind zuallererst eine riesige neue Bereicherung für unsere Musikwelt. (Dominik Tischleder/Zinnober)http://www.zinnober.net/
O Paradis CD Serpiente de Luna, Serpiente de Sol
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Aus dem mediterranen Raum hört man in den letzten Jahren deutlicher werdende Signale. Zwei lange Tonträger sind bislang erschienen von diesem melancholischen und atmosphärischen Projekt, das mit einer eigenen, durchaus eingängigen, wenn auch meist düsteren Mixtur aus Rhythmus, Samples, Stimme und akustischen Akzenten aufwartet. Dabei wechseln sich trancige Rhythmen mit metallischen Breaks ab und einfache, einschmeichelnde Melodien mit finster-dröhnenden Passagen. Der männliche Gesang trägt jenen unverwechselbaren 'animo', der einige der Stücke in ihrem Pathos gelegentlich in poppige Gefilde taucht, doch am Ende bleiben zwei eigenständige Werke mit geschlossener Ästhetik und Klangwelt, die ihrer HörerInnen in ein geheimnisvolles Wechselbad der Gefühle tauchen. http://www.ikonenmagazin.de/ikonenframe.htm