|
|
|
Archived Reviews
|
Dennis Ostermann & Co are back with another lavishly-presented opus, drawing greatly on the theme of The Garden Of Eden & producing some typically superb music in the process. One of ISC's strengths has always been their ability to make music that draws you in, thanks in part to the unifying mood that has, of late, become an increasingly important part of each new ISC album, a musical asset that reaches new heights here with each song acting almost as a chapter that together, make up one overall story that cover a variety of moods & atmospheres, from the instantly accessable, almost poppy "Promised Land" & the slightly more edgy "Fading Light", both of which suit to a tee Antje Schultz's somewhat 'girly' vocals (which I've not always been a big fan of) through to the mystical edge that graces "Forbidden Fruit" &, thanks to some superb choir samples, "Der Teufel" while the grittier mood of "Regicide" & the superb guitar work of "Something To Remember" add further twists to the story. Melotron's Andy Kruger adds his recognisable vocals on two tracks as does Sina Hubner of Pzychobitch, although her contribution is less noticeable, being hidden within the sonic tapestry that forms the prologue & epilogue-like opening & closing pieces (although you can still tell it's her!) while the 8 minute instrumental "In Favilla" allows the listener to fully savour the music as it builds from its quiet, sepulchral beginnings into a powerfully majestic freeform number that then goes full circle, returning to the atmospheric realms from whence it came. And if that isn't enough, the limited edition double provides a further sonic tonic, including the excellent, Indian-flavoured "Samael", the more accessable "A Single Touch" and another excellent instrumental in the form of "Blind Spot". That they're not on the album proper doesn't mean they're lacking in any way; indeed, without them you're not experiencing the album's full effect so if you can't get the limited treble at least make sure you don't miss out on this version. |
