Rise & Fall [Import]

Dargaard | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 4, 2011)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Napalm
• ASIN: B0001M6GDM
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #311,680 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A personal review of Dargaard's music., August 1, 2005

By 

Platon Kuzmich - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rise & Fall (Audio CD)

Dargaard is a creation of Thares, a former member of an Austrian black-metal band Abigor. However, as stated on the band's website, "the band was his opportunity to step away from his usual genre (Black Metal) and experiment with a different approach to express attitudes and feelings."

Some define the genre as "Neo-classical darkwave", what is strange, because Dargaard is neither neo-classically orthodox, nor has a typical goth-industrial attitude. I find the name "ambient fantasy" more appropriate.

So what is Dargaard about? Tharen utilizes a wide array of synthetic instruments, shaping default sounds into magnetic and mysterious themes. He lacks professional skill, which is compensated by an inspired approach and a sense of melody.

The only annoying track, present of some of the early CD's, is a background hissing voice on some of the compositions. Theoretically, it should enrich the mood but unfortunately it does not manage to create a "wicked" impression, being just a noise out of place. Fortunately, none of them are present of "Rise and Fall". On the contrary, pleasant female vocals by Elisabeth Toriser blend in with the soundscape perfectly.

The music of Dargaard is simple but enchanting, having its own specific charm. The "monster sounds" (obviously Gollum-inspired) and the lack of self-irony may make this music not entirely likeable to everyone. However, I don't want to seem pessimistic, because I really enjoyed Dargaard. If you enjoy the romanticism of fantasy and magic in its primal, non-pretensive form, this music is for you.

5.0 out of 5 stars Haunting and beautiful, May 23, 2011

By 

SHADOW (Miami, Fl USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rise & Fall (Audio CD)

This is my favorite cd by Dargaard. Dissolution of Eternity is very similar and has some incredible music, but I think all the tracks on here are even a little more special. The music really is very haunting and atmospheric, and is hard to describe, but sounds like very ancient music done with a little modern touch, but still makes you get lost in a dreamlike feeling.