Customer Reviews

Crypt of Wizard

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This isn't deep; this is just plain old video-game-soundtrack style fun. It's like New-Age "wallpaper" music for evil sorcerers. Mortiis may be a ridiculous attention-grabbing clown who sold out and made dance music later in his career, but that doesn't detract one whit from the noises that come out of your cd player when you put this thing in it. And those noises are some that you can listen to all day. Mortiis was a big fan of the legendary Conan the Barbarian movie soundtrack, as is anybody with any sense who enjoys this kind of music, but unlike the rest of the Basil-wannabes, he actually had the talent to pull this kind of thing off. It's not Conan, but it's really good, and whether you're a gothic vampire nerd or a dungeon-crawling dragon-slaying wizard nerd, you'll love this, since it's about halfway between the two.

If the computer let me give more than 5 stars, I would give the CD 20 stars. One word to describe it- beautiful. I am a fan of both medieval folk music, new age, and black metal, and Mortiis morphs the these genres wondrously. The songs are very ambient and atmospheric; simply listening can take one into a Tolkein book. And I've dreamed of being there in Middle Earth and if I close my eyes and listen, it's the next best thing. I recommend En Sirkel Av Kosmisk Kaos [A Circle of Cosmic Chaos]. If you like this, I also recommend the bands Tristania, Theatre of Tragedy, and Opera IX. If you don't like it, well, I think there is something wrong with you.

Crypt of... is a compilation of out of print 12"singles and brings Mortiis at his best. this time more varied stuff than the usual Dark ambient monotonous material of his earlier works.There is more emphasis on drum patterns.The music is Stunning if you`re not familiar with his work . I suggestt you get this one first ,then i`m sure you`ll be seduced by the atmospheres conjured by this Dark Lord. HAIL MORTIIS

Well I never would have thought that I would have been listening to folk music, but I was curious about what the ex-bassist for the kings of black metal Emperor had cooking up now a days. He has definitely stayed with the imagery of black metal, it's darkness and manner of dress, except of course for his makeup, which consists of elf ears and an extremely long nose, which purposefully make him look like some kind of elf king. Influenced by J.R.R. Tolkien's stories of hobbits, elves, wizards, and all, Mortiis takes you on an epic journey, which impressed me quite a bit. This album is pure atmosphere and imagery, sounding a lot like the intros and segues used in a lot of black metal albums, listening to the pounding drums, and epic keyboards you are taken away to a land of ruined castles, fierce and honorable battles, and all the other things that a life in Norway can fill your imagination with. This album is beautiful, brilliant, complex, although repetitive at times. "En Sirkel av Kosmisk Kaos (A Circle of Cosmic Chaos)" scared the ... out of me, I was listening to the lush beautiful landscape that Mortiis was painting and all of a sudden this ghoulish growling voice came out of my speaker, which shows this album can take many directions even within a song! I also enjoyed "Vandreren's Sang (The Song of the Wanderer)," and "Under Tarnets Skygge (Underneath the Shadow of the Tower.)" I personally am more into more aggressive music of course, but this was a nice change of pace for once. I would not recommend this album to a metalhead, or death metalhead, but to some black metallers who enjoy later Burzum, and the dark atmosphere of black metal, and also some goths. I would also recommend this album to anyone who appreciates gothic medieval folk-type music.

...dark medieval dungeon music played on old synths, :P. The music was created over a decade ago. When I first heard it, I was caught off guard, I was used to his era 2 music. It reminded me of an evil Legend of Zelda score, :). At first I didn't like it and just stashed it away. But after sometime of listening, I approach it more as a soundtrack without a movie/game. It's all cinematic. But it is a clear demonstration of Mortiis' ability to write really good music compositions, without having to bury it under distortion and amps. I would like to see him remake it with modern and better production.

No, Mortiis does not work this fast, this is not a new studio album. Rather, it is the domestic release of an otherwise rare collection that marked a turning point in the career of the Mad Goblin. Crypt Of The Wizard was Mortiis' first major foray into the realm of shorter, more compact pieces, which purvey his illuminations with less procrastination (his prior works normally consisted of 2 25-minute tracks). There are definite similarities between this album and TANGERINE DREAM's Alpha Centauri, Atem and Green Desert, as they all metaphysically depict quests of wonder, missions of discovery, and the encompassing manifestation of human curiosity. The New Age-y nature of Mortiis work progressively distances him from his Black Metal roots, but due to his past affiliations, it is a connection that is difficult to discard, especially with the theatrical imagery he still flaunts. Regardless of his appearance, the music on this disc is moving and inspiring, chaotic and revealing, and precarious and tranquil. Mortiis has yet to disappoint, and I thank Earache for making this important transition available to the masses!

Crypt of... is a compilation of out of print 12"singles and brings Mortiis at his best. this time more varied stuff than the usual Dark ambient monotonous material of his earlier works.There is more emphasis on drum patterns.The music is Stunning if you`re not familiar with his work . I suggest you get this one first ,then i`m sure you`ll be seduced by the atmospheres conjured by this Dark Lord. HAIL MORTIIS

This is completly different then his new stuff!
It's beautiful and epic, and at one part I started having flashbacks from a twisted nightmare I used to have when I was younger.
EXTREMLY DARK AND DEPRESSIVE!