Fhinstanian Nightbreed [Import]

Abyssos | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 13, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Visible Noise/Cacophonous
• ASIN: B00000JZQI
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #410,435 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Masquerade In The Flames

2. Finally I Kissed The Pale

3. Where Even Angels Fear To

4. Worthless Soul For Sale

5. Queen Covered In Black

6. Firebreathing Whore

7. She Only Flies At Night

8. Fhinsthanian Nightbreed

9. Wherever The Witches Nigh

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Phantoms of the Vampyre Opera, December 14, 2001

By 

"soulscythe" (Orlando, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fhinstanian Nightbreed (Audio CD)

Let me tell you, I was surprised to find this album wasting away in the discount bin of my local used CD store. No doubt I picked it up with a sheepish grin and listened to it on my way home, but did not fully understand and appreciate the melodic majesty until I had sufficient peace the next night and digested the compositions as sleep gripped me tight...

Being the brainchild of two (YES, 2- if you don't count the session vocals) artists, Abyssos' 'Fhinstanian Nightbreed' is a densely layered creation that mixes black metal elements with operatic and heavily melodic discourse. By "operatic" I do not intend to suggest that they sound anything like the unique Nightwish styled artists... it is hard to explain: expect a black metal experience with select operatic parts on both female and male vocals. I still cannot explain why the first track, "Masquerade In the Flames (Another Black Friday)" sounds like a lost performance from 'The Phantom of the Opera.' Maybe its because the vocalist envokes the Phantom's familiar voice and style during some sections (as found on any 1986 compilations with the original cast).

The songs on this album are very well conceived and prove that talent does not depend on numbers, as Abyssos easily dissmember the 9 man outfit Slipknot. Afterall, you'd better sound complex if you have a high number of "artists"... look at Therion, Theatre of Tragedy, etc and then compare the primitive and shallow output from Slipknot...

The title track, "Fhinstanian Nightbreed", brings a smile to my face each time I listen to it as it reminds me of the Final Fantasy video game soundtracks. And the other instrumental, "She Only Flies at Night" is a pleasure to listen to! This short (I want more) piano piece reminds of classical compositions. What else can I say about this album beside that it is very well composed, each song has multiple movements and sections, and the sound is breathtaking...

Though the pricetag of this oft overlooked band is a bit daunting, I would still suggest devising a way to get your hands on this one (hell, try to find it used!).

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars mindboggling, January 7, 2006

By 

metalmass (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fhinstanian Nightbreed (Audio CD)

After I listened to this album the first time, I couldn't remove my jaw from the floor. In fact, with each listen afterwards, my jaw continued to drop in sheer amazement at the wondrous music that permeates every last second of this superb album. I bought this when it was first released and continue to listen to it frequently to this day. Yeah, it's that good.

What amazes me is how a band such as Abyssos can go this unnoticed, especially when there are other bands releasing albums nowhere near the brilliance encountered here. Just when you thought a song couldn't possibly get any better, it does. And it should too, especially since each one clocks in between 7-9 minutes.

I wouldn't necessarily say that this album re-defines the genre, but the music it contains simply perfects it, reaching a level that no other band could probably achieve. Here we have a wonderful mix of melodic death, then furious black metal assaults, and even some thrashy elements thrown in as well; it's a veritable potpourri of various styles and influences, including such greats as Dissection and Dark Funeral, yet at the same it maintains a truly unique level of originality. Brooding synth and keyboard arrangements are dispersed throughout as well, in addition to haunting male and female vocals sung with such a degree of disdain that the emotion factor will utterly floor you. Song after song, nothing ever gets boring because each riff is so outstanding that you probably wouldn't mind listening to it for the full 65 minutes this album reaches. And what amazes me is that the whole thing was written by one man.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Genious., March 31, 2000

By 

Teron (Tx) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fhinstanian Nightbreed (Audio CD)

This album totally sends out a sound of talent. Sounding like an entire band, the work of Rehn on two guitars, bass and keyboard accompanied by Soderlund on drums puts down the entire commercialised Heavy Metal scene. The guitar riffs and drumming can put any of those bands to shame. The problem with these guys and the ret of the Black Metal scene is that they are not getting enough publicity. If this band alone comes to light, the likes of Kor, Limp, Chamber, Slipknot will have alot to work up to. This album is highly reccommended to those into Black Metal or want a new approach to metal in general. Get it, now.