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Ataraxia * Lost Atlantis (cd 1999 cruel moon int’l)

Ah, a new cd of one of the best bands that I know. This may be some kind of celebration too, because “Lost Atlantis” is the tenth cd of this Italian band (then I also count the mcd “Orlando”). “Lost Atlantis” should have been released quite a long time back, but various reasons delayed it’s release. Just like “Historiae” “Lost Atlantis” is released by the notorious label Cold Meat Industry from Sweden. Because there was a rumour that this cd would come as a box, I was very curious about what Karmanik would make of that. Instead of a box I ‘just’ got a discboxslider (like with the Arcana cd and the previous Ataraxia on CMI). This turned out to be the box…
Anyway, the music is of course brilliant. Some songs can also be found on the live video/cd box “Os Cavaleiros Do Templo” that was released by the Portugese label Symbiose/Vortex about half a year ago. “Lost Atlantis” is somewhat different from other Ataraxia cds. Where you can divide the previous cds in the groups neo-classical and neo-medieval, “Lost Atlantis” is more atmospheric, but not really neo-classical or neo-medieval. The lucky few who have been able to lay their hands on the earlier mentioned live-box will know what I mean. Even though I think this cd is not as good as other Ataraxia cds, “Lost Atlantis” is still much better than most other releases I’ve recently obtained. I guess it’s difficult to keep such a level as Ataraxia does and still try to do different things. I can promise you -though- that no real Ataraxia fan will really be disappointed.

As All Die * Time Of War And Conflict (cd 2001 crowd control activities)

In a not too professionally produced box comes the first cd of As All Die who you may know from the Dragonflight compilation “The Cold The Silent” of 1999. “Time Of War And Conflict” contains slightly primitive atmospheric music with spoken voice, some more gothic/folky tunes with a guitar and a long and not too good piece of dark industrial ambient. It is not very good, but definately not very bad. Overall the cd reminds me a bit of Elhaz’ “The Black Flame” (97 memento mori), definately regarding atmosphere.

Artwork * Digital Kharma (cd 1999 etage music)

This is already the sixth cd of Artwork. A German experimental (neo-)gothic project that mainly caught the attention over the involvement of Oswald Henke of Goethes Erben. He doesn’t have too big of a role though. This cd doesn’t reach the level of the previous one. It’s mostly atmospheric and the classical influences are again very big. Guitars are also to be found here, yet the neo-gothic/medieval tunes are less present. The great tenor still sings a lot, fortunately.

Arise From Thorns * Before An Audience Of Stars (cd 2001 dark symphonies)

AFT were formed in 1997 and released their debut cd themselves in 1998. This cd was also released by the band itself in 1999 and it is now re-released by Dark Symphonies from the US. In the meantime, the band has changed style and their name became “Brave” and what I understand from the bio, their music moved more in a metal direction.
So what about AFT then? Well, this music sounds very poppy to me, atmospheric pop rock so to say with very nice female vocals. There are not too many electric guitars to be heard on “Before An Audience Of Stars” and the music is mostly very tranquil. I am not too familiar with the discography of The Gathering, but I think the atmosphere of “Before…” is comparable to that of The Gathering of a year or two back, experimental atmospheric rock music with female vocals.
And about the quality level, I am rather much in doubt. However it sounds nice and very well done, I don’t like it too much.

Arkane * Arcane Elitism (cd 2002 the fossil dungeon)

The debut cd of a Greek project opens with a very loud, bombastic, orchestral piece of industrial that may have come from Sophia. Further the music is mostly soft and orchestral with here and there some softer industrial, ambient, and some slightly folky tunes. Also a few ‘ritual’-influences that remind of these black metal side-projects of 8 or 10 years ago. The opener is wonderfull, some other tracks are also very good, but the cd doesn’t get better as it continues. Good that it lasts for only 37 minutes…
Still an interesting new project on The Fossil Dungeon though. This cd took over five years to record, so who know when we will hear from xARKANEx again?
Comes in a wonderfull flat DVD-case by the way. <2/12/02><2>

Archon Satani * Mind Of Flesh & Bones (cd 2006 cold spring)

Cold Spring released the famous 1993 Staalplaat cd of the extinct Swedish duo Archon Satani (after the split we got Inanna and Ordo (Rosarius) Equilibrio). Industrial ambient with a few noisy touches and unfortunately on this album no vocals. I think most of the Archon Satani material has been rereleased now. Would this make them less of a cult act? Anyway, if you like the old CMI-sound or industrial dark ambient in general, you will have to get some of that Archon Satani material like this one.

Archon Satani * Of Gospels Lost And Forsaken (2cd 2002 cold meat industry)

I used to own a record of this defunct cult-formation, but I didn’t like it enough to keep it. For some reason I did want to get a copy of this cd with old and unreleased material. Still not exactly what I hoped for. Quite monotous dark ambient, with here and there some industrial sounds, but nowhere vocals… The first disc contains material from “Beyond All Thee Sickness”, “2×6 Dimensions Of A Coffin” and one track from “Andromeda” the second disc 10 unreleased tracks. Some nice tracks, many not too great. The double digipack with ‘leather’ and golden letters is great though!

Arcane Art * The Cursed Artist (cd 1999 memento mori)

Nicely provided by mr. Hamre himself I got to listen to the latest albums of Arcane Art and Penitent (see elsewhere). This project I knew from a few contributions to compilation cds.
“The Cursed Artist” opens with a very nice orchestral track and continues with relatively primitive orchestal sounds in combination with the spoken words that you might remember from Penitent. The cd is full of orchestal sounds, but besides spoken word, you. ll also hear some female voices and there are also instrumental tracks.
Overall it sounds pretty good. Especially the two tracks at the end which are a bit darker than the rest which sure does good to them.

Arcana * Inner Pale Sun (cd 2002 cold meat industry)

However I like Arcana, my reviews of the previous albums are not that positive. The music is beautiful but more of the same on newer albums. I actually wasn’t planning on getting this album, but mr Pettersson wanted me to review it anyhow, so a copy fell into my mailbox.
“Inner Pale Sun” has quite an ‘Arcana-length’: 38 min. It opens with quite an Arcana-track: bombastic, orchestral music with drumming and singing without lyrics. The second track is promising though, very tranquil and with very nice male vocals. This actually goes for more tracks as well. mr Pettersson has a very nice voice when he really sings and the music is still Arcana, but not so typical. I even seem to hear some real instruments (cello) in track 6, which track is a beauty in general. The last two tracks are nice but nothing special.
Indeed better than the last albums in different views.

Arcana * …The Last Embrace (cd 2000 cold meat industry)

Here we have the new cd of Arcana and …well… it’s just a new cd of Arcana.
In 1996 this Swedish act debuted on the CMI label with a stunning debut. This was after highly acclaimed contributions to the CMI-sampler “…And Even The Wolves” from 95 and the 2×7″ compilation “The Heart Of Shadow Gods” on the same label. The “Dark Age Of Reason” cd contains totally awsome orchestral music, with marchdrums, bells and chanting. Soon Arcana was one of the most popular bands on the CMI-label. After the debut came two mcds and a fulllength that sounded exactly the same. Also contributions to new compilations didn’t bring anything new and now there is “…The Last Embrace”. Again orchestral music, marchdrums, bells and chanting totally bombastic and beautiful music, but exactly the same as before. When you never heard Arcana you will be amazed by their music, but if you followed them for the past four years, you can say nothing more than “it is a new Arcana”. No points for originality. Arcana became of copy of themselves…