Customer Reviews

Emptiness

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This is one of the best folk CDs I've discovered in a while. I discovered it very suddenly at metal forums when people mentioned it is a folk project by an ex-Saturnus member (even though I've never really heard Saturnus), so I just bought it on an impulse. It reminds me a little of Death in June because of the very laid-back vocals, calm rhythmic strumming, other sounds and instruments thrown in, and a few experimental ambient songs.

The first song "Lost in Emptiness" is one of the best. It starts off with a very ambient, creepy sound but suddenly the acoustic strumming begins, it's a quite simple song really, the melodies are just so perfect. "My Devotion Will Never Fade" contains some organs and interesting percussion. "In a Robe of Fire" is completely different and contains soft melancholic violins underneath similar sounding singing. "Algir Naudir Wunjo" is a long, creepy, very atmospheric song containing very low-pitched melodies of some sort, a constant, mysterious tribal rhythm, and threatening voices and whispers that can't really be understood. It sounds like it should be music for a level in Doom or something. It seems out of place but it is really good, although very different from the short, simple folk songs. If you're a fan of Raison D'etre you might like this side of the album.

"Silver Rain" is back to the folk style, this one freakishly similar to something on "But What Ends When Symbols Shatter?" I really don't know if Death in June is an influence or not but it sure sounds like it. This has slow-paced strumming with a certain keyboard or synth sound in the background. "Gal Anda" is the best song; it is a feast for your ears. The strumming is faster paced, and there are organs in the background and some percussion. Near the middle of the song, the acoustic guitar disappears for a minute leaving just vocals, organs and quiet percussion, only to return to what the first part sounded like with the addition of a flute! I'd buy this album if it was just the last minute and 25 seconds of this song. The whole thing has such mixed feelings of mellowness yet urgency, if that makes any sense whatsoever. There are 3 more songs, 1 folk and 2 atmospheric, but this is getting too long.

If you're reading this, you should probably buy this album. If you found this review, chances are you like either metal and are interested in folk, or you like similar folk. Either that or you like other music I've reviewed that has nothing to do with this, or you know me and don't like anything I do and are just admiring my writing skills. Anyway, I bought it very suddenly because so many people suggested it in a discussion about folk and I was so pleasantly surprised that I bought their other two albums within about two weeks.

Along with Changes' wonderful Orphan in the Storm LP, Emptiness: Emptiness: Emptiness is the finest neofolk album of the previous decade. Danish musician and magician Kim Larsen has crafted an album both mournful and beautiful. Within are softly strummed dirges of despair that will take you "in the forest deep- in silent snow." Loneliness is a blessing in a world that has "lost its soul" and the runes will guide one to "walk in awe the path of the wand and the moon." Still, "a rain may come and tears will fall."

Influenced by both the old Norse sagas and the misanthropy that comes with living in this modern age, :OTWATM: should appeal to fans of such classic artists as Death In June, Sol Invictus and the Swans. In fact, Larsen's monotone is quite reminiscent of Douglas P. and Mike Gira, but what :OTWATM: may lack in originality they more than make up for in overall effectiveness and execution. The entire album is mesmerizing. Trust me, you'll be hitting the replay button again and again. My favorite tracks: "Lost In Emptiness", "Here's To Misery (A Toast)", "Reficul", "My Devotion Will Never Fade" and "In A Robe of Fire".