Search - Decoryah :: Fall Dark Water

Music to take you "Otherwhere"

andrew smith | tuscaloosa, AL United States | 05/16/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I cannot describe in words how this album makes me feel upon every listen. The only other music that gives me these feelings is Decoryah's own debut, "Wisdom Floats." Cannot possibly be labelled as any one kind of music. Fans of ethereal, "Elseworld" music such as Dead can Dance, as well as fans of New Age and gothic metal will equally be drawn to this unworldly release. The land of 1000 Lakes (Finland) can take pride in these, their most talented musical sons. Highly, highly recommended."

Goth(sub)Metal meets New Age--Eerie Excellence!

andrew smith | 10/08/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Throw in some harmonizing male vocals, some enya-like vocals, gothic background sounds, and a few metal riffs you get the eerie excellence of Decoryah. I found out about them on the most awesome sample compilation(Metalmeister)!! The title song gives me creepy feelings but is so great to listen to!"

Brilliant, If Bleak In Places; Totally Unique Music

Stephen B. O'Blenis | Nova Scotia, Canada | 10/29/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Amazingly well-constructed and well-performed album, albeit admittedly an album that's in places deep on the nihilistic side. Slow and beautiful heavy metal music incorporating instruments like flute and cello not just as flourishes but as an integral part of the musical structure. This wasn't as common an occurence in metal in 1996 as it would become over the next few years, and Decoryah was among the originators. Unfortunately, the dismal and hopeless lyrics on tracks like "Envisioned (- Waters?)" and "Wintry Fluids (Portal)", while very well-sung, detract, for me anyway, from the awe and grandeur of the music. It may well be the point to be this abysmally dark (a darkness born not out of malice but despair, I should point out), as alot of people look for this brand of darkness in music, perhaps as a kind of catharsis, but, though I may be in the minority on this, I've never found the actual music of bands like Decoryah and Morgion and the oddly named My Dying Bride to be depressing, I find it to be grand and powerful. I do enjoy dark music, even sad and tragic and times, but not ultra-depressing or nihilistic, and thus some of the lyrics are a hindrance to the "Fall-Dark Waters" album as a whole. Still, the impeccable musicianship and vocals (male and some beautiful supporting female vocals) cannot be denied, nor the establishment of a phenomenal atmosphere throughout. Tracks like the title piece, "Endless Is The Stream" and "some Drops Beyond The Essence" are magic and the lyrics on the Fall-Dark Waters" song itself are actually bright. Great production and mesmerising music, but perhaps the band's next album would be better served by just a smidgen less mega-gloom?"