Customer Reviews

Ornamentation

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sounding as if they had tuned into a distinct, remote universal frequency that emanates from the deep wells of the past, Trial of the Bow manage to channel a sense of intimate, infinite vastness on "Ornamentation", their first release, and accomplish this under the influence of both some modern instruments (the liner notes indicate an e-bow was used pretty liberally), some truly ancient ones from the Far East, Middle East, and Northern Africa (a sitar and tabla on the first track previews how deeply this recording is anchored by ethnic instrumentation), and the oldest of all, the vocal chant. "Inverloch"(the second of the four cuts on this lengthy EP)is the standout track, and is easily capable of transporting the listener into a timeless, meditative space that in some way is as large and unchanging as the dimensions of the physical location where a person might expect to hear this type of music, and if you've guessed deserts and mountainous open places, than you're entirely correct. Those who lump Trial of the Bow in with Dead Can Dance are categorizing them on a superficial level; Trial of the Bow goes much further in their exploration of this particular blend of ethnic sound than Dead Can Dance ever thought of doing. And it's all the more impressive, as the two core members of TOTB used to be in a heavy metal band, and not just any generic kind; they went from recording ear-blistering death metal to an ambient, haunting re-imagining of music rooted as anciently and heavily as the monolithic rocks and dunes that have remained in location for centuries in the lands where this music was spawned.

If you have never travel to the middle east or India .You pick up this cd .Listening to it will make you feel as though you are amoungst the middle east .Infact if ya learn the art of meditation and relaxtion listen to this while doing it makes for some awesome effects on the mind .Total soundscape and by all needs more then 5 stars I will give it a 10. I been into relapse records bands and wanted to try some the release bands tried dead world.Now trial of the bow .If anyone is interested in tempting one of release's band check out thse guys first its more mild not the harsh scratching of merzbow or others.Merzbow is also another band but start mild like with this...I will recommend this to all i see.Even if those who aren't metal oriented which this is not its ambient.still its deserves a spin in the cd player....once a day helps clear the mind while listening to it..captivating beauty in each song .travel to india via the mind.buy trial of the bow and experience the middle east/india via sound...

Finally an album , or should i say mini-CD , that fills in the (massive) gap ethnic music has had since DCD "retired" ... even though Trial of the Bow claim that they do not continue in the footsteps of DCD .

The use of Indian sitar is just marvelous ! Combined with tamboura and various other percusions , this cd gives you the best chill out vibe for any situation . The only negative aspect here is the duration , but its quickly overlooked once you press play on the cd player .

So light an insence stick , dim the lights , press play and enjoy !

While not a prolific group, TOB have recorded some of the most amazing ambient instrumentals. Fans of Dead Can Dance, Peter Gabriel (Passion) and other Indian/Middle Eastern-influenced recordings should really dig this. Ornamentation is better than Rite of Passage.

As mentioned in the other reviews, this album would only be better if it were longer. It's disappointingly short.

Complaining aside, it's gorgeous music that ages very well upon repeated listening. I found it to be more authentic (in feel, if not in actuality) when making the inevitable comparison to Dead Can Dance. This pair also delves much further into a musical idea than DCD. It's a wonderful escape for the ears.