Search - Ivoux :: Frozen

Utterly astounding

Matthew | Pittsburgh | 02/06/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ivoux was an ethereal side project of the electro/synth-pop band Battery, and nearly three years since its release, I still can't believe how stunningly beautiful this disc is. Lyrically, this album is inspired by various winter mythologies and folk tales, and more specifically, female characters who either perished or triumphed throughout the winter months. The rich, flowing voice of Maria Azevedo spins and floats upon the icy musical breath that Shawn Brice and Evan Sornstein exhale from their instruments, as they indulge in a lush melodic respite from the Industrial dance floor assaults they're otherwise known for. There are harmonies and melodies on this CD that will strike you deeply in the heart, and will unfailingly send shivers down your spine each and every time you listen. I doubt there will ever be another ethereal band that will create songs with such passionate and heartbreaking beauty. "White Witch" is just simply gorgeous and the vocal melodies on "Holle" will chill you to the bone. This is an intimate, transcendent release meant to be listened to privately. You close your eyes, and you see this band's vision: vast ivory dusted landscapes, ice clinging to skeletal trees, and a lone figure standing amidst the frigid chaos...searching throughout the dense white fog for something that could bring her warmth. The metaphors within the lyrics of these songs are so touching, so absolutely perfect, that I can not say anything more than this predominantly unsung CD is an absolute necessity to your Gothic/atmospheric collection."

Frozen, Bitter, Sad, Windy, & Cold

Matthew | 05/09/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Some of the best music ever put to CD! Every song is about a female/winter myth, and as such is told through their eyes. If you can find it, there is an incredible Remix of the song Holle called Holle (Meow Mix), its almost as good as the original. The best of the best are Holle, Sif, & Emily. Emily makes me shiver with every hearing. Maria Azevedo's voice is ice crystal clear."

The winter of our discontent.

skarecreau | San Francisco, CA USA | 10/22/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Brought to you by the boys and girl of Battery, Ivoux's (that's "EE-voo") "Frozen: A Suite of Winter Songs" tells the stories of female wintery deities and mythological figures from Britain (the fictional world of Narnia, actually, in "The White Witch") to Russia ("Rusalka") to Japan ("Yuki Onna") and all points in between. This differs from the norm of Battery's music in that it is definitely not industrial, but there are certain aspects that are familiar to a Battery fan, including, most obviously, the heart-wrenchingly beautiful voice of Maria Azevedo. This album is a must-have for fans of Battery/Dia or ethereal music."