Track Listing
1. Closing in 2. Cell 3. Vanish in the abscence of virtue 4. Basement corridors 5. Ion 6. Generally more worried than married 7. Path of the righteous 8. Dead man's creek 9. Titan transcendence 10. Shelter 11. By the banks of pandemonium Year: 1999 Label: Misanthropy - Official Site |
In The Woods... - 'Strange in stereo' - By C. Diamantis
In The Woods� seem to go even more back in time with every release. Their third and latest studio album (since �3 Times 7 On A Pilgrimage� is more of a compilation than a normal studio album) finds the band once again following a different musical path. I believe that the title of the album describes it very well, since it�s definitely the strangest thing this band has ever created. Though the band has kept the core of their music the same, (slow, melodic and atmospheric metal) they�ve added many new elements that makes this work differently than the previous ones. Their love for the music of the 60�s and 70�s becomes even more apparent, but they manage to avoid being old-fashioned. The psychedelic elements in this album are more apparent than any other time and the melodies have become stranger than those in �Omnio�. The vocals continue to be divided between Synne Diana and Jan Transeth, both of whom sound much evolved in their singing and, especially Synne gives some blood-chilling performances. The music is very cleverly composed and orchestrated and once again the production is very good. This album also creates a very strong atmosphere, but it�s an atmosphere more haunting and strange than the other works of the band. This album doesn�t have the epic feeling of �Heart Of The Ages� or the deep melancholy of �Omnio�, but another more esoteric feeling that mostly surprises the listener. If �Omnio� was a journey to the soul of man, then this album definitely takes us to the darker corners of the mind. The lyrics have become even more abstract than the ones found in �Omnio� and more difficult to understand. However this time they seem to be more personal and human and don�t deal with high ideas and philosophies but with more earthly matter. And Of course in this album we find one of the funniest song titles ever to appear with the song �Generally More Worried Than Married�. Sometimes I wish this band had included an explanation of the lyrics in the booklet. Everyone must understand that this is not an easy album to get into. It demands many hours from the listener in order to understand it and come to love it. Sometimes I wonder why this band seem to be so far removed from the rest of us. When I listen to this album, I get the feeling that these guys (and gal) don�t live on the same planet as us. The perfect soundtrack for a journey to the stars�Give this album a chance, you may end up loving it� Metal Obsessive Grade: 90% |