Arthame - Fiendish Symphonies demo I 1998
1) Chapter I: Uuden ajan alku
2) Chapter II: Päällä ristin mustat linnut
3) Chapter III: Fiendish Symphony
4) Chapter IV: Noitavaltias
5) Chapter V: Tuli olkoon nimeni
RGhost / Yandex
I haven't done non-metal stuff for a while so here is the first and only demo by Finnish project Arthame which you may remember from earlier post, which also has enough background information so read there if you haven't yet. Like you probably guessed already, the demo was also dubbed to me by brother Grev, thanks to whom as always. Sadly no covers so we'll have to do with an image I found at Discogs and a flyer I scanned (see below). A proper, full cover scan would be appreciated.
Looking at the tracklisting you'll notice that of the three songs from the rehearsal tape only one returns here, "Päällä ristin mustat linnut" (translates roughly "Upon the Cross Black Birds" in case you're curious - don't expect me to translate every Finnish word and title from now on!) - or at least if the others got re-worked and/or re-titled I'm too dense to notice. Overall sound is very similar to the rehearsal tape, a little bit louder perhaps and with less hissing. Don't worry, there's still some. Unfortunately this tape is no longer instrumental, Striga got a session member to do vocals on two of the tracks, the aforementioned second chapter and "Noitavaltias". I wrote unfortunately as I find them mostly a distracting element, partially due execution and partially due the Finnish lyrics, I'd probably find them easier to digest if I didn't understand the words. The vocals are executed black metal style, somewhere between a whisper and a croak, surely not the worst in the genre, but again the demo could do without 'em. Or at least have them more buried in the mix. I have to admit that I find myself getting used to them after repeat listens, so perhaps this is something that really depends on my mental state. Anyways, I'm rapidly starting to lose the point here so better stop and just recommend this demo to people into dungeon synth, lofi dark ambient and obviously their previous tape.
14 kommenttia:
'they're black metal style' - this is incorrect. the correct form is: their black metal style...
they're = they are; their = which belongs to them.
i am an English teacher and, considering how marvellous your blog is, a mistake like this would staind it :D
cheers and keep up the awesome work, mate ;)
@anon-sensei:
Yes, I know the difference and the way these forms are misused annoys me too. The sentence is poorly formed, I actually meant to just state the vocals are black metal styled - the fact they are in black metal style is not the source of my discomfort there, rather their whole inclusion in the demo!
But as stated it seems like I've either gotten used to them or find them more agreeable on some days and entirely inappropriate on other days. :) And thanks, appreciated.
Brother Velkaarn: Striga says "Big thanks for you"
And of course, you're welcome :)
@Grev:
He doesn't probably have the covers around, does he? Anyways, he's welcome.
Well, I'll remember when you ask me to ask covers of the demo.
Striga says that actual covers not made or he hasn't any covers left? I can't remember, but no score... sorry :(
@Grev:
No worries, the front image is okayish and I can dig up a copy if I really, really need them and at the moment I don't.
Interesting, sort of like a soundtrack to those weird European B/W movies you could find in the States at 2:00 am in the 70's. Grainy footage of huddled souls trudging through the rain over cobbled streets, meeting up for some nefarious deed in the bowels of a castle, shadows dancing on the stone walls from the candle sconces.
Thanks for the post. And the flashback.
@kingpossum:
Hmm, I like the images you conjured there and seems quite fitting too. I suppose Striga would be pleased with that description as well.
Striga the female fronted U.S. outfit? Will investigate...
@kp:
No, Striga as the artist behind this tape. Though female fronted outfit sounds interesting, metal?
@Velkaarn:
Thanks for the clarification. Check out Arch Enemy with Angela Gossow on vocals. Angela growls as well as any of the men out there. Even better than some.
@kp:
Yeah, I'm familiar with Arch Enemy (since the debut actually) and have seen 'em live a few times with Angela. She's pretty good with this growling thing I agree.
I've actually got a copy of this tape, I could make some cover scans for you if you'd still be interested in them.
@Iggnsthe:
Well, if you could do that I'd certainly appreciate it! You can use the email written on the right side of the blog.
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