3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Craving the blessing together..., July 29, 2003
This review is from: Empty Into White (Audio CD)
It isn't often that I find an album that is worth mentioning in its entirety; that being said, Unto Ashes' Empty into White is certainly deserving of a least a cursory glance from all lovers of bloodlit music.
Unto Ashes excels at styles of music rarely cultivated by American bands. It is rarer still to find an American band that is proficient at crafting the kind of apocalyptic folk, neo-classical, ethno-medieval-goth that would fit in well with World Serpent's roster of bands.
Unto Ashes's previous albums have all been excellent forays into the skaldic ballads of a time-that-never-was, and Empty Into White is no different. If anything, the sound of the new album evokes an even more ancient and esoteric atmosphere than found on the previous Moon Oppose Moon and Saturn Return releases. The instrumentation is lush, varied, and expertly played, but it carries a distinctly cold tone that is utterly devoid of hope or joy. The lyrics are poetic and suitably grim; not one word seems out of place on this brooding opus. This is truly music for the moonlight of Walpurgisnacht.
Also worth mentioning is the incredible vocal talent featured on this album. I don't know how much preparation went into the recording of Empty Into White, but the vocal skills of the various singers involved are all in top form. Practice makes perfect, as they say, and listening to Empty Into White is as close as we may get to hearing a band on the verge of perfecting their craft.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highest Recommendation, July 13, 2003
This review is from: Empty Into White (Audio CD)
I was shocked by how magnificently crafted this CD is - it's one of the most remarkable things I've ever heard - but it's really hard to define: it's like they created some new form of beauty out of ancient and modern civilizations and made it simply timeless. It's one of those albums that you could listen to over and over again for years to come. When I first heard it I was completely overwhelmed - captivated - and transported to somewhere else... I've only had my copy for a week and I've listened to it SO many times already. When I'm not listening to it, I'm THINKING about it. I continue to hear new things on the CD, new harmonies, new sounds; it's easily one of the most interesting and unusual albums in my collection. And did I mention that it's also really beautiful?!? Apparently it took almost 2 years to make, but the way everything flows together it seems like it was effortless. And all the songs sound different too. I agree with the previous reviewer that this is the best Unto Ashes album to date - but this is also one of the best albums I've ever heard - it is AMAZING - simply unbelievable!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Breathtaking!, July 10, 2003
This review is from: Empty Into White (Audio CD)
By far, Empty Into White is their best CD to date! I was completely blown away and taken away on my own journey through their music. Their rendition of Doreen Valiente's, "Witches Rune" is beautiful... I am sure that the Goddess is pleased with their version! "Allu Mari" brought me to tears! I could go on about each song on the CD, but I think its something you have to experience yourself! Any fan of Unto Ashes should already have this CD in their collection, and folks that are interested should pick it up! They are an amazing band live, and I think its great that their version of Don't Fear (the Reaper) is on here!!!
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