Sever [Original recording reissued]

This Ascension | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 16, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: Projekt Records
• ASIN: B00005Q6I1
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #97,542 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Full bloom, full throttle, January 29, 2002

By 

Scott Sweet "Music Freak" (Colorado Springs, CO) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Sever (Audio CD)

I doubt I'll touch on anything that *mavjb* didn't, but let's make sure. "Sever" is the fruition of everything This Ascension did on their prior releases, and features some pleasant surprises. I'd gotten used to their sound, so "Sever" has a WHOA! factor of 8+. I didn't really enjoy it when I got it a couple of years ago, and I honestly don't remember why not...

A brief recap: This Ascension has put out three previous albums of "gothereal" power-pop. This latest CD stands out for the variety among the songs and for its high production quality. You can tell they spent some money in the studio. Dru Allen's vocals are better than ever, and the band is airtight. "Sever" has the most muscular, indie-rock sound to date.

OK - highlights:
"Mysterium" showcases Allen's control in the soprano range, and a tribal percussion style that recurs on the CD. "Forever Shaken" harkens to their classic sound, reminiscent of 1988's "Just Assassin." "Dorado" sounds like a 40-yard dash if you've just been doused in kerosine and set aflame. The Middle Eastern "I Wish" would fit right in on any Dead Can Dance album from "The Serpent's Egg" onward. "Love Lost Years" is a good cool-down after the intensity of the other songs. I'm not a remix fan, but John A. Rivers does a good job with "I Wish" to close the album. I'd call it "desert boogie."

"Sever" proves that This Ascension can rock as hard as any indie band, and set as strong a mood as any goth band. This is the album they were closing in on for a decade. Now where's the next one?

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Sever" was well worth the wait, September 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Sever (Audio CD)

After a 5 year departure, Santa Barbara's This Ascension return to the throne with a rejuvenated spirit. With the help of producer John A. Rivers (Love and Rockets) and engineer Chad Blinman (Ichor, Das Ich) This Ascension set out to explore new territory both lyrically and musically. The first thing you'll notice is how the guitars are mixed more up front for a harsher sound. Also new on this release is the addition of percussionist Paul Sutherland. The musical scheme on this release changes from one song to the next. At times, the band sounds similiar to Love Sprials Downwards, Faith and the Muse and Mors Syphilitica. Don't worry though, the trademark This Ascension sound shines through on every song and with Sever they tend to wear their influences more openly on their sleeves. Die hard fans will agree that this release surpasses "Walk Slowly..." and that This Ascension will always remain one of the most well rounded Dark bands out there.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and original, November 26, 2004

By 

B. Kemper "Buzz" (Madison, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sever (Audio CD)

First of all, you have to admire a darkwave band--or any rock band for that matter--that has the guts to sing in Latin now and then. This band has obviously listened to some very early classical music; ensembles like Joculatores Upsalienses for instance. Whether you know the music I'm speaking of or not though, doesn't matter. This Ascension has a sound that is not only beautiful, but also--and this should interest the listener even more--original. If you're looking for a CD that goes way beyond the usual Siouxsie and the Banshees ripoff sound that so many bands throw at you, give these guys a try.