Erang "We Are The Past" (2014)

We are the past, the eighth full length from Fantasy / Dungeon Synth artist Erang, an album title that boldly marks the intent and direction of this album, of which this became vividly apparent as the themes and melodies of this record unraveled themselves in captivating glory. Erang's inspiration shines bright as ever. Spiritual, cultured folk tales sing their songs, capturing the essences of our heritage in a lush and immersible record.

The album starts of with "Im Ajinar Nost Alije", a tribal drum pounds, ghoulish chants and lightning strikes guide us through the mist as our journey begins. Accompanying, possibly oriental?, instruments lay down the folk foundations for this record that take on many forms as the album progresses through varied instrumentation and aesthetics. From here the record develops through some beautiful and stunning moments where harmonious melodies weep over gentle, atmospheric backings that tell the tale of cultures lost by time and dust. The mood is varied, with some lifting songs come some moodier, darker vibes as Erang explores both the bright and darker sides of the ancient world. 

The production of this record feels almost flawless with no noticeable technical discrepancies. The instruments and sounds on display are lush, crisp and enigmatic. The mix is spacious and roomy which the instruments fill with their eloquent color. My only disappointment with this album was the track "Wine And Beer" which felt very out of place, obviously its a folkish pub song, but it heavily contrasted and broke up the mood of this listen which has been stunning and immersible, Erang's best work to date.

Favorite Songs: I Dreamt Of An Emerald Forest, The Loneliest Fighter, The First Snow, Lament For My Horse, Forever Gone But Never Lost

Rating: 8/10

Chelsea Wolfe "Pain Is Beauty" (2013)

This "review" is premature, i often like to reach a point with a record where i feel the music well and understand it. Right now I'm excited and drunk on the nectar of a new sound, a new niche has been carved in my mind. I don't yet fully understand it, but I'm entranced by its beauty and want to share it with the world.

The music of Chelsea Wolfe was recommend to me by a friend and all i know of her at this point is her music. She's got a stunning, ghostly voice with much passion and sadness that drifts like morning fog trough instrumentals so curiously poised between contrasting instrumentation that paints its own eerie and haunting place in time. This record has as a listening experience has been fruitful with 12 deep, rich and varied songs that are a pleasure for keen ears.

Juxtaposition is the theme that hits me hard on these tracks. There is a unique balance in the song writing, where the uplifting, more positive instruments can be offset by a contrasting sound or use of re-verb / low-fi recording techniques to create an eerie and unsettling undercurrent found throughout the songs in this album. Chelsea's ethereal voice soaks these tracks with emotional deeps that give me goosebumps every time. The instrumentals here are unlike anything I've heard before, and her voice trumps it all.

Favorite Tracks: We Hit A Wall, The Warden, Sick, Kings

Rating: 8/10