| Peccatum "Strangling From Within" Candlelight , 1999 Lord Pale : Peccatum play basically light arty styled blackmetal with classical influences . Unfortuantly on this album they don't seem to gel as smoothly as the MCD to follow . That said , this is an interesting album in its own right . The drums are synthesised and that is immediately apparent , but are usually well programmed and suit the flow of the music . Ihsahn's riffs for peccatum occasionally remind of the more dreamy moments of Emperor's 'IX Equilibrium' , but vary to slower rockier moments to spoofy soloing to droning riffs that fill out the sound of the often leading keyboard riffs . The keyboards in Strangling From Within are very well played and this is mostly where the classical influences can be seen . The vocals vary from typical blackmetal snatting through to both male and female clean vocal performances which is also the other element that relates more to the classical influences of the band . Sometimes chaotic sometimes straightforward , this album presents and interesting diversity of relaxing music . I do find that i have to be 'in the mood' to listen to this cd however .... Favourite Tracks - An Ovation To Art , Speak Of The Devil ( As The Devil May Care ) , The Change Mark - 7/10 Peccatum �Oh , My Regrets� Candlelight , 2000 Lord Pale : This MCD is the first I have heard of Peccatum . I wasn�t impressed with what I had read about them and the release of Strangling From Within , so I didn�t pick them up . However after getting a copy of Source Of Tide�s �Ruins Of Beauty� ( which shares vocalist Lord PZ with Peccatum ) I knew I had to get this and I was blown away immediately . This 3 song ( including a Judas Priest cover ) MCD topped my expectations from this band . It has a rich full production that lends an enveloping sound to all the layers of vocals and instruments that Peccatum provide the listener . This has been previously been called a classical/metal hybrid and for lack of a better description I shall agree with that . Peccatum have three vocalists , Ihsahn ( Emperor / Thou Shalt Suffer ) , Lord PZ ( Source Of Tide ) , and Ihsahn�s wife Ihriel who is the brainchild of this band . Ihsahn provides snatting and his clear classical vocals like those used on some later Emperor releases , as well as plays all the guitars , drums , and keyboards , Lord PZ sings in his usual deep powerful clear vocal style and also offers some squealing snats . Ihriel�s female vocals also set this band further aside from many others in the scene today . They are sung to the music and don�t just float along with music being more reminiscent of an opera style singer rather than the high pitched whine of vocalists in bands such as Theatre Of Tragedy . Featuring arty Emperor style riffs to heavy deathmetal influenced ones , dreamy synths and keyboards that complement the music and add another dimension , cellos , violins , violas , and even a beat box on the Priest cover . I love every song on this mini cd , but it maybe too artsy for some . Note - This CD has got a lot of bad press from stuck up Ihsahn fans , I suggest you ignore it !!! Favourite Tracks - Blood Red Skies ; Rise Ye Humans ; Oh , My Regrets Mark - 8.5/10 Peccatum "Amor Fati" Candlelight , 2000 Lord Pale : Less chaotic than 'Strangling From Within' , but even so , Amor Fati just doesn't flow as well as that album did . A real percussionist makes an appearance to this album giving it a more professional sound and the overall production is better . Most of the material was written by Ihriel this time around and is consequently a lot more simplistic .Peccatum doesn't really fit into the classical metal hybrid it once used to anymore , rather their influences are stretching a little broader , though some tracks have obvious classical over tones 'No Title For A Cause' . However its almost as if these classical parts are deliberate rather than suited to the actual music , they don't naturally flow into what Peccatum are doing here . Keyboard soaked , melodic guitar work , average drumming , and less interesting vocal lines hinder this album and leave it a very restricted path to follow . The artwork and cover of this album is shit , that's all I can say about that . Two of the tracks here are untitled for god knows what reason , perhaps 'The Song Which No Name Carry' part 2 and 3 ? Hmmm . Disappointing , doesn't play well as an album , but the songs stand better on their own this time around. Favourite Tracks - The Watchers Mass Pt 2 ; Murder ; One Play , No Script Mark - 6.5/10 Peccatum 'Lost In Reverie' The End Records, 2004 Lord Pale: Peccatum's third full length opus sees the Norweigen husband and wife duo of Ihsahn ( Emperor ) and Iriel ( Star Of Ash ) move into a less metal more gentle vein of music. Lord PZ ( Source Of Tide ) only contributes vocals to two of the songs here 'Parasite My Heart' and 'Black Star' the two songs containing the last of the bands blackmetal influences. The classical influence on Lost In Reverie seems to focus on the dark slow dramatic side of the genre instead of the chaotic side Strangling From Within focused on or the bombastic side Amor Fati focused on. There is again some exceptional compositional work on the album and the addition of a new drummer Knut Aaelefjaer adds a subtle blues/jazz spice to some of the tracks. Infact at times some of Ihsahns vocals and the drifting music remind me of Ulver's Perdition City especially in 'In The Bodiless Heart'. To the bands credit their new mellow meloncholic prog aesthetic perfectly matches the albums photo shoot and cover art ( which is much better than previous releases ) adding up to a better realised package overall. The only problem I have with Lost In Reverie is that as well played and composed as it is, it's just no longer fits into the realms of music that I listen to. It may receive a few sporodic spins in the disc player as atmospheric background music but thats about it. If this style of music ( soft, dramatic, progressive music with dual male/female vocals ) is your thing however than you'll love every minute of it. Favourite Tracks � None Mark � 6.5/10 |
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