Customer Reviews

Priestess

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Synthetic darkwave influences with retro synthpop stylings set the stage for Butterfly Messiah's drama, "Priestess".

Angelic female vocals contrast against semi-spoken male vox telling tales of nightfall and graves. These contrasting male and female vocals give Butterfly Messiah many acts to their drama. For example, the track "Serpentine" features pouty female vocals with an 80's sort of beat; while "Visitor" is more operatic. Male vocals in "Ring The Bells" has a bit of a Joy Division influenced quality, mingled with flecks of the sound of the band Garbage. The acapello female chants in "When Autumn to Winter Resigns" reminds me a bit of This Ascension.

The final track, a "faery song" entitled "Reverie" has the most poetic lyrics:

My light is the moon
She whispers of the sun
The cat of the sky
On a neverending run
For the star mice
What visuals this poetry conjures for me! Thank you, Butterfly Messiah, for including lyrics with your music! Stunning imagery is reflected in the cd insert. Butterfly Messiah credits Janet Garson for the photography and artwork.
Brutal and beautiful, it is now the butterfly that captures the listener in her delicately webbed net... and we are most willing victims.

The Butterfly Messiah trio are one of the freshest otherworldly acts I have come across to date. With each new composition, the quality of their art work only gets better and better!

I have to say I am so very much anxiously awaiting the release of the new CD "Eternal." Butterfly Messiah are true poets of the new millennium, I'm only sorry that I hadn't heard them sooner!

From the Priestess CD:
I am absolutely in love with the entire Priestess ensemble but my true favorites from the Priestess CD are:

"Land Beneath The Waves" is a very beautiful composition. The hauntingly ethereal female vocals compliment the mono-style male vocals. When combined with a Gothic style synth-beat, you are surrounded with a warm magickal tapestry. Like a cloak of plush, ambient atmosphere. Breathe it in deep, savor it...wonderfully moving!

"Serpentine" really makes my body and soul move in unison! The combination of synth-dance beat and captivating female vocals are refreshingly vibrant! True poetry in motion...a wonderful Butterfly Messiah masterpiece! I absolutely adore it!

"Reverie" Once again, the hauntingly beautiful voice of Shannon Garson combined with mystically enchanting music generates a dark ambient atmosphere that I have longed to lose myself in for many years! Truly enchanting!

MP3 Samples: From The Upcoming "Eternal" Release

"Grey" seems to speak, almost whisper to you in a powerfully solemn voice. When I hear this sample, I really feel that I'm drifting...drifting on an otherworldly plane...or in another dimension. Truly mesmerizing!

"Falling Stars" has a wonderfully fresh, moving beat. When combined with the enchantingly beautiful female vocals, you are swept into an atmosphere of pure-white electricity!

"The Circle" is absolutely magnetic and seems to manipulate my psyche, bringing it to an undeniably natural state of mind. The eluring voice of Shannon Garson not only enhances, but dominates the mystifyingly magickal sound this composition produces. Riveting, the sample leaves me yearning for the entire composition, truly a sound I need to hear and feel!

This release is more towards the guitar goth than on Eternal which leans more towards synth goth. This is a brilliant cd, but I think Eternal is a little more accessible.

"Ring The Bells" is chilling and haunting.....Shannon sings in monotone "Ring the bells for you............" and wails in the background...simply brilliant!

Gorgeous Goth, Ethereally Beautiful...

I love this cd from begin to end...

"Serpentine" is my favorite track... Though I love all of them...

It goes from Goth Ethereal to Goth Dance and everything inbetween...

I'm glad to have found Butterfly Messiah... and I can't wait for their next one - "Eternal" I believe...

So if you're a Goth DJ or want some excellent Goth music for your set - get this cd - I guarantee you won't be disappointed... - DJ Dakini-NYC

(Sentimentalist review)

This is the third release since Butterfly Messiah's 1998 inception. Robert Nightshade's dancefloor beats and unadorned vocals mesh seamlessly with Shannon Garson's keyboard melodies. Her vocals sometimes harken to the free-form style of Lisa Gerrard (Dead Can Dance). Josh Harrington fleshes out the synth backdrop.

The lyrics support the premise that goth is a haven for genuine poetry. The simplicity of the singing and instrumentation also suggests the lasting influences of Alien Sex Fiend and Die Form. Janet Garson's exceptional art and photography are equal to that of Chad Michael Ward and Clovis IV.

Songs such as "Land Beneath The Waves" and "Introspections" cater to the dance floor without resorting to aggro menace. "When Autumn to Winter Resigns" is an excellent, albeit brief a cappella piece reminiscent of Faith and Disease. Adding a guitar would expand the band's overall sound, but isn't required for continued appeal. This is music for motion.

Priestess is a beautiful album, inside and out. My favorite songs are Serpentine and When Autumn to Winter Resigns. I can't wait to get my hands on the new single, "It's Time". From what I heard on MP3.com it sounds like it's going to be even more incredible!

This is my first venture into the world of Gothic Music, and I have to say I am not disappointed!
There are few songs out there than can calm me and yet inspire me at the same time and Priestess is full of them.

From the first dramatic notes of "Land Beneath the Waves" I knew there was something totally different about this group. I am blown away at how everything flows together in this album!

My all time fave has got to be "Reverie." In just listening to it I feel like I am in a mystical forest, surrounded by ever falling leaves, spinning... I can almost feel the cool autumn air all around me. Shannon's vocals are captivating...