Aphelion

Amethystium | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 28, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Neurodisc
• ASIN: B00007MB5L
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #154,103 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Shadow to Light

2. Garden of Sakuntala

3. Exultation

4. Ad Astra

5. Gates of Morpheus

6. Autumn Interlude

7. Elevensong

8. Shibumi

9. Hymnody

10. Withdrawal

11. Berceuse

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

While not without flaws, this second release from Amethystium, aka Oystein Ramfjord (a twenty-something producer from Norway), is another appealing assortment of trance/space/pop/new age textures that may not fully transport you to another dimension, but will set an interesting audio backdrop for the evening. Ramfjord creates inviting, slightly sweetened, slightly mysterious electronic atmospheres, all nudged along by polite grooves and an assortment of subtle, Enigma inspired audio totems (native flutes, Gregorian chant, Middle Eastern vocals). Amethystium is not quite a peer of Enigma, acting more like a mild-mannered distant relative. Stylistic comparisons to Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark¸ Mythos, and even Vangelis are also likely to come to mind. Ramfjord's higher-pitched keyboard voices occasionally break the spell his music works hard to cast (as in "Garden of Sakuntala," a pity), but it's a tolerable glitch in this largely inviting 59-minute moodsetter, one that is almost identical in flavor to his debut Odonata.--Terry Wood

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This CD is absolutely enchanting and hauntingly gorgeous!, April 24, 2003

By 

Distant Voyageur "Nicholas Computer" (Io) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aphelion (Audio CD)

Amethystium's second opus "Aphelion" is one of the best New Age albums that I've heard in recent years. In plenty of ways, it continues the sound and atmosphere of "Odonata" and like that one continues the sampling of dance beats from older dance songs on some of the tracks but the feel of this album is more monotone and greyer and darker than the other one and in some ways, it's better that "Odonata" and has a more original feel to it. The album cover is one of the most beautiful album covers I've ever seen.

The lead-off track "Shadow To Light" begins our aural journey. This song might as well be almost two songs in one and even be a progressive New Age song as the song title shows. The first half of the song could as well be considered the "Shadow" part of the song, being a dark, hatuning and ominous song with electronic ambience and haunting Gregorian chants along with an ominous minor note melody. The song though morphs into a more uplifting major note melody note song around the 3 and a half minute mark and becomes a more joyous but semi-melancholy song with haunting Gregorian chants bringing up images of the dark clouds breaking up at the horizon and a fiery orange sun shining through. We return to more shadowy territory with "Garden Of Sakuntala". This track has a more exotic sound with a more Eastern Indian spice with Sitars and Asian guitars and some amazing woman voice effects that are almost stage opera in sound with electronic backdrops. The next three songs are similar in sound although moods are quite different. "Exultation" is a trippier song with a dark and stormy atmosphere. The song starts with a sort of ominous intro and grey ambient sound and then becomes a semi-upbeat New Age Electronic groove with a highly danceable beat. "Ad Astra" is a more bizarre track that has an intro similar to the previous song but this song is slower than the last one but has a more melancholy sound. There are some creepy but gorgeous breaks in the song with voice or other sound effects. The second pause eventually brings the song into a much different territory where it jumps between major and minor notes and some awesome chord progression and ends as a major note although the brightening up of the song isn't as evident as "Shadow To Light" was. "Gates Of Morpheus" is probably the spookiest song on the entire album. "Gates" a bizarre song with a unique atmosphere with an atmosphere that could've made it be able to fit into a scene from the Lord Of The Rings movies. The song eventually becomes a bit upbeat before the melody ends but with a strange buzzing rhythm that carries on and ties the song into "Autumn Interlude". "Autumn Interlude" is one of my favorite songs on "Aphelion". It starts off as a mid-tempo ambient song. Around the 2:45 mark, the song blasts into a danceable number with haunting voices and mysterious choir voices. "Autumn Interlude" around the 4:17 mark, goes through some very unique melodic morphing and then it almost sounds like a totally different song and when the stronger beat stops the song fades out as an enchanting song almost like the fresh cloudy weather after a thunderstorm. Ramsfjord absolutely releases the genius in him on this song. Brilliant job! "Elevensong" is somewhat similar to "Enchantment" from Ramsfjord's last album "Odonata" with almost identical chord structure but this song though is even better with haunting voices in the background combined with awesome drum loop. The flipping card sound though is slightly annoying but it doesn't ruin the song at all. "Shibumi" though is kind of like the speed bump on this album. While it's nowhere near being mediocre, they couldn't have sampled a worse drum beat and the beat is kind of annoying and waters down "Shibumi" to where it's my least favorite on the CD. It's not exactly filler but it doesn't rank with the rest of the tracks. After that though we head into one of the most joyous but most melancholy at the same time songs on the album "Hymnody". This song is an absolutely enchanting blend of electronic New Age, piano and haunting Gregorian Chants and it results in an absolutely amazing song. "Hymnody" is an absolutely amazing song on another favorite of mines on this CD. The joy of "Hymnody" though gives way to a death-like siren as we head into the saddest and also the best song on the CD "Withdrawal". The siren begins the song and then ten seconds later an ominous intro comes in and then the song becomes a dark, sad and ambient classic and gradually builds up and intoxicating echoing pianos and mysterious choruses come in and climaxing with a tearjerking Asian violin. "Withdrawal" beats out almost every other song from "Aphelion" and "Odonata". Well done Ramsfjord! This would make a great drama theme song. The minor note of "Withdrawal" merges with the uplifting major notes of the final track "Berceuse". This song begins with haunting ambient major note and then a worldly rhythm beat sets in and the song becomes an uplifting and a mix of melancholy and joyous moods. The song brings "Aphelion" to a marvelous close.

Apart from the slight dip of one track, "Aphelion" improves upon the success of Amethystium's last CD "Odonata" and could as shape up to be one of the best New Age albums of the early 2000s! "Odonata" was hard to top but Amethystium did it and that's the recipe for an amazing and enchanting classic! I have to say that the album cover and the coloring of the CD itself are absolutely a visual feast and are among the best CD artwork I've ever seen! "Aphelion" is an absolute essential need.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Indulge with the relaxing odyssey that is Amethystium!", July 30, 2005

By 

Soaring Heart - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aphelion (Audio CD)

"Journey into the realm of 'Aphelion' where subtle atmospherics blend with ancient tribal rhythms and Gregorian monks mingle with female Sanskrit chant. Fusing world music with groovy beats and delicate electronic soundscapes to create and invitingly fresh escape from the everyday."

I love music that sends my heart soaring on a journey into beauty and peace! Aphelion definitely does this for me. Not only is it pleasurable to just relax and chill out to but I can also do concentrated work, study, read, even pray with it on if I want. Aphelion is Music that entertains and enhances my mood and focus. It doesn't distract or keep me from doing what I want to do. And it reminds me of a great, enduring friendship--Hi MG!

Aphelion is uniquely itself. Very refreshing. Regenerative. Both stimulating and soothing at the same time. Ahhhh. Enjoy and---
Soar!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Captures the true essence of new age music, July 18, 2003

By 

Ted Del Prato "technodemon" (Acworth, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aphelion (Audio CD)

I saw this album on display in a music store, and it's tempting cover art persuaded me to try it at the listening station. I was pleasently surprised. Amethystium is definitely one of the best new age artists to emerge in years. Imagine the ethereal and haunting sound of Enigma and combine it with the beautiful synthesizer melodies of Vangelis, and you'll have a good idea what to expect from Aphelion. Norwegian, Celtic, and Asian cultural influences are obviously present as well. Even though many of the songs sound similar, it's hard to get tired of their relaxing and powerful alure. Words can't accurately describe how truely ingenious this music is. For meditation, relaxation, or just a break from today's ridiculous popular music...definitely buy this album. Also check out Amethystium's previous release, Odonata.