Search - Empyrium :: Where at Night the Wood Grouse Plays

Very Dark, very good!

Garrett Beneker | Cali, USA | 08/14/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"No band has ever captured Empyrium's darkness and mellow songs and for a good reason. It is very hard to recreate their sound. Eriee in most places, subtle in some songs more noticeable in others. The Shepard and the Maiden Ghost has to be the best song on this album. Track 1 (Where At Night the Wood Grouse Plays) has the best mix of sadness and one simple chorus put in the first two minutes of the song. They have excellent skills in playing these instruments apparent when you listen to some of their instrumental only songs. Fans of almost any type of black metal, be it be Cradle of Filth all the way to Green Carnation. Empyrium is not to be missed. If you like Empyrium and want a similar type of band I suggest Agalloch or Estatic Fear. A few others would be Ulver, Katatonia, Green Carnation, Eisregan.



33 minutes long, High Quality CD, Stero.

Tracks:

1. Where At Night The Wood Grouse Plays

2. Dying Brokenhearted

3. The Shepherd And The Maiden Ghost

4. The Sad Song Of The Wind

5. Wehmut

6. A Pastoral Theme

7. Abendrot

8. Many Moons Ago...

9. When Shadows Grow Longer '99"

Beautiful, though not quite perfect.

Mr. Jonathan Ledbury | 12/02/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a melodic acoustic neo folk masterpiece. Give it a spin and you'll find yourself in a dark, misty German forest at night, encountering ghosts and dark, natural forces. It creates a wonderful atmosphere that encapsulates the listener, without being too intense. Infact it's simple melodies are rather calming and soothing, even though slightly chilling.
It uses an acoustic guitar, flute, and choir. (The choir creates a ghostly, other worldly atmosphere at times, particularly at the end of the third track.)
Over the top, the vocals are performed sometimes singing and sometimes whispering, creating an amazing, eerie effect. However, some of the tracks are only intrumentals.
The album does have it's flaws. For one thing it's only 32 minutes long, and for another, the vocals (which are in english in this album) when sung, are performed in a solemn, German style which is almost funny at first. In the last song the backing vocals are a little amusing, and threaten to ruin the entire song which annoys me. Track 5 repeats the same riff a little more than my patience can bear, and I also feel that the C.D loses a little bit of its atmosphere with the final two songs, although, it would still be well worth the purchase even without these songs.
My favorite song is the shepard and the maiden which uses a simple, repetative, fast moving riff, with a heart breaking ghost story whispered over the top. It ends with some stunning choir vocals.
Other highlights include the first two songs (The second song is basically an instrumental apart from a few moments of almost muted whispering) as well as tracks 6 and 7 which are stunning instrumental pieces.
This ought to appeal to lovers of all meloncholic rock music. Fans of music geniuses from opeth to Nick Drake, and as far mainstream as REM ought to find something they like in this this.
It's something gentle, dark, and a little bit different. Definately worth a try! Go on go on go on go on...."

Brilliant

Cory Willard | Sylvan Lake, Alberta Canada | 04/24/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I find this album amazing. It the lyrics are ever evolving poetry and the music is moddy to match. The simplistic melacholic approach really paints a picture."