Emblem (Selected Pieces)

Amethystium | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 10, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Neurodisc
• ASIN: B000I2IT80
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,663 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #5 in Music > World Music > Europe > Scandinavia > Norway

Track Listings

1. Ethereal

2. Arcus

3. Exultation

4. Autumn Interlude

5. Shadowlands

6. Fable

7. Shadow to Light

8. Dreamdance

9. Odyssey

10. Ad Astra

11. Enchantment

12. Satori

13. Elvensong

14. Meadowland

15. Anthemoessa

Editorial Reviews

From time to time, an artist/project comes along that defies easy categorization, that pushes boundaries, that crosses lines and yet strangely remains focused and very lucid in terms of direction and feel.

Norway’s Oystein Ramfjord has captured that certain magic and managed to; at a very young age create a project that is as mystical as it is melodic. The project, which turned into a 3 record trilogy was to be called Amethystium. Ramfjords vision was way beyond his years – as he created the entire first record during his teen years from age 16-18, and seeing it released on a national scale by the time he was 19. The record immediately gathered a fanatical and some would consider, a slightly left of center fan base. Images of Fairies, Dragonfly’s, and Tolkienesque’ themes were strewn throughout the arrangements and created a sort of Lord of the Rings like soundscape. The first three albums, Odonata, Aphelion, and most recently – Evermind came to be known as the Dragonfly Trilogy, named after the recurring themes in the music and the images of a Dragonfly’s journey and appearances on artwork.

Emblem (selected pieces) is a retrospective of, and more importantly a carefully chosen collection of Ramfjords most meaningful and inspired moments from each record. The songs are in no particular order in terms of time tables, or release dates, but rather, were put together to try and connect the three records and more or less create a beginning, middle and end of a musical story.

With a brand new album of new music slated for early 2007, Oystein wanted to put this collection out as a sort of changing of the guard – or passing of the torch musically. His plans for future records are not to deviate from what has worked, but to put this chapter of his work behind him. Specifically created as a trilogy this collection brings together the most personally meaningful tracks he’s recorded to date. * As a primer for his new work in 2007, Oystein has enlisted the vocal talents of Lee Nisbet for a new song (which will be a focus track for promo) to kick off his slightly altered direction.

Equal parts Gothic, Ambient, Moody, and Graceful – Amethystium remains a singular and unique musical vision with virtually no peers.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amethystium rules, October 11, 2006

By 

B.L. "Raving Lunatic" (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Emblem (Selected Pieces) (Audio CD)

This CD is a collection of what I believe is a good sample of Amethystium's strongest tracks. If you are a fan of Enigma, Deep Forest, or Delerium then you will definitely dig this. For people new to this artist: Get this CD and when you get done kicking yourself for sleeping on this cat, go get the previous 3 albums. For those who have already been checking out Amethystium's music for the last few years, there are a couple of extra unreleased tracks on here to make this worth your while.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A worthwhile compilation, June 3, 2008

By 

sauerkraut - See all my reviews

This review is from: Emblem (Selected Pieces) (Audio CD)

Amethystium is made up of Norwegian composer/musician Oystein Ramfjord. This compilation--2006's Emblem (Selected Pieces)--draws from Amethystium's first three full-length albums: 2001's Odonata, 2003's Aphelion, and 2004's Evermind. The 15 compositions are not in chronological order; of these 15 pieces, two of them--"Meadowland" and "Anthemoessa"--are previously unreleased. Amethystium stands out from most of the New Age music that I have heard. I became familiar with Amethystium through a satellite music channel. Amethystium is what I like to call beat-driven New Age music. Most of the tracks on this compilation display a nice menagerie of vocals. The music is lush, mysterious sounding, and regal. The compositions tend to start off quietly, but subsequently become more vibrant. I consider all of the pieces to be pleasant, and "Ethereal" is my favorite because of its gentle serenity--also, Gregorian chants are included on the outro. In regard to the CD booklet, it is well designed. It includes pleasant graphics, a photo of Oystein Ramfjord, and comments from him on each of this compilation's tracks. In addition, this album comes housed in a slipcase. The CD clocks in at just over 79 minutes. Amethystium's Emblem (Selected Pieces) is recommendable.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent chillout music., November 14, 2007

By 

Ampersand (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Emblem (Selected Pieces) (Audio CD)

Until recently, electronica or ambient of any sort had never been my thing - too dance-y and too boring, respectively. Then, somehow or another, I delved a little deeper into this sort of ethereal ambient music, and love it.

Amethystium's sound is a fascinating one: gentle, mesmerizing electronica (it seems crude to call it dance music, since it's really not), incorporating almost everything from female vocals to Gregorian-style chants. It's a bit classical, a bit pop, New Age, exotic - I've heard it called slightly gothic. It is, in short, many things.

The main downside is that it's not really the sort of music you can do much with except play in the background and relax to, and the songs become a little samey after a while, but they're still different enough to be able to pick favourites - Ethereal, Arcus and Anthemoessa are my personal top three.

Amethystium is all the more interesting for being the brainchild and project of a single person, Norwegian composer and musician Øystein Ramfjord, who has released three other albums under the Amethystium name. However, if you are new to his music, I would recommend 'Emblem' for a well-rounded sampling of his best works from the past few years.

[Similar music: Sleepthief, Blue Stone, Enigma]