Customer Reviews

Emblem (Selected Pieces)

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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.

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.

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 Řystein 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]

Since there is virtually nowhere I can listen to this type of music, I find I rely heavily on Amazon reviewers to describe musical works. following links and similar purchases, etc.

I have bought much music over the past several years, and this is one I feel I "lucked out" on. I do like Deep Forest--but there is no grating singing in Amethystium. I like Delirium, but the melodies in Amethystium's music are actually beautiful.

I dont know if this would be considered a "best of"--it's probably just pretty representative of the first three works. But it is music you can play for anybody and for any occasion, almost. The timbres and voices of the electronic sounds are all excellent, and interesting. The chord structures, bass and rhythm underpinnings are driving and creative, but not excessive. One standout example of this is Arcus.

If you are listening to the previews, you don't really get a good sense of the songs...they are long and often develop slowly, so what you hear in the exerpt is a swelling intro, but not much of the really enjoyable part.

Yes, there are voices, but they are used as instruments-- not soloists with trite lyrics of one variety or another. The music reverberates and echoes, filling up the musical space in your speakers and ears, and voices are woven throughout. Though there is a definite Amethystium "sound", for each song it seems the artist has worked to produce a novel effect that works thematically for that piece. Meadowland is good example of this creativity, with "movements" with soaring effects, bell-piano exploration of the melody, unique rhythmic bubbling, but integrated whole.

This is very polished music, but with deep and interesting textures, pleasing instrument combinations, and simply enjoyable listening. If there were a category of "smooth ambient new-age" this would be the yardstick to measure the rest with.

This CD is one of my treasures. And thanks to the reviewers here who enjoy my kind of music.

I didn't know this group until I wanted to try something new and I picked Amethystium...and let me tell you I liked it a lot and I still love it...and in my personal opinion, It's not like Enigma (My Favorite One) or Deep Forest, each group has its own touch, so if you don't know Amethystium and you are a New Age fan...you should try this one, seriously, you won't regret it, my favorite songs are: Autumn Interlude and Exultation.

This is one of the famous band of this new wave of new age. Great compilation with tracks from every previous albums. Even two new tracks from the forthcoming album and one track from their first demo.

I first heard a piece of music from this CD on Pandora and that's what prompted me to purchase it. I knew I was taking a chance, since I don't usually buy this kind of music. I admit that I had to listen to it a couple of times before I decided if I really liked it or not but the more I listen to it, the better it gets! Contrary to buying a CD and finding there is only one song that's worth listening to (which I have done on many occasions), it is just the opposite with this album. I do a lot of sewing/quilting and I look forward to playing this CD and "getting into the zone", as quilters say. Very good, relaxing music.

I am a big Ryan Farish fan who was looking for something a little slower with less of a "trance" or "dance" feel that is common with his work.Amethystium has the same overall feel with alot of the same style,but they are a little more quiet"New Age".Amethystium is similar to Deep Forest,but they have much more coherent melodies instead of feeling like a "mystical" and meandering Lord of the Rings sountrack style.Amethystium uses alot of the same bright electronic programming and ethereal background vocals as Enigma and Ryan Farish.This is actually a collection of their best,so sample these tracks first!

This cd is a beautiful collection of the most beautiful and deep new age/darkwave/ambient songs in the world(The songs of Amethystium). All of the songs are remastered. Though I'd also want "Berceuse", "Withdrawal", "Paean" and "ilona" in this collection, still this cd is definitely worth buying.

this type of production restores my faith in the fact that there really are composers, arrangers out there that can produce music for music sake and not pay homage to $$.