|
I really hope he returns to the direction he was going in his first 3 albums. The rest just deviated too much, sort of in the same way that Delirium went with "Faces, forms and Illusions" if you are familiar with them. I have been following Amethystium's stuff since he was on [.]. I was really looking forward to Isabliss but the only track on it that I thought represented his style well was "Treasure". Granted as an artist myself I know you need to experiment so I can't fault the guy for trying something new.
:) Maybe after a few listens, I will start enjoying Isabliss a lot more. I also liked "Silken Twine". At least this album Isabliss had the hit track "Treasure". Or is that just loyalty and faith speaking. Ok so I thought this album would take me back to the Odonata and Aphelion styles. I was somewhat disappointed, as this album sounds more like Evermind, which I didn't find very terribly exciting. The rest were just OK, and while I found myself a little let down overall, this is still a decent album.
Music that takes me to another world where I make everything possible. Another great and wonderful album by Amethystium. Thanks
The gorgeous downtempo beats are still multifaceted and evolving - those low key muted interlude grooves punctuating the shadows. If you have heard Øystein Ramfjord's previous albums you'll know what to expect - although the dragonfly trilogy, as it came to be known, was concluded with Evermind, the trademark sound is still all here, just better. Within two stark black birds adorn a knotted bough that has a bright lantern hanging at its tip. A final turn of the page reveals the rest of the inner picture - a flying bird trails dark leaves apparently fluttering out from a shuttered window. On Isabliss the synthetics are accompanied by some deftly interwoven electric guitars and keening violins. I think this is a stronger collection that Evermind, more purposeful and more clearly standing on the shoulders of earlier material.
Another panel opens out to reveal the second half of the rear cover tree trunk - here too are credits and some thanks. Once more Neurodisc are the chosen label for the Norwegian bedroom artist turned producer, composer, multi-instrumentalist. Now the vocals are mostly specially recorded performances from such singers as Lee Nisbet, Stine Mari Langstrand and Irina Mikhailova. A three-panel digipack almost monochrome, full of delightful imagery courtesy of Grey Decay and Brian Son.
There are some beautiful moments - I didn't think Øystein could manage to become any more blissful and dreamy than the Aphelion CD, but the track Frosty Morning Bliss manages it. The front cover features a striking twisted tree with dense clouds for foliage, wheeling birds circling the branches. Amethystium has deepened and developed his sound with this latest offering - the arrangements are confident and sweeping, the instrumental work lucid and bright, the vision clearer than ever.
The synth work is multi-layered; repeating phrases and arpeggios rolling over expansive pads and strings, chimes and little metalic notes twinkling in the background - warm melodies and strong themes demanding the attention, then dropping away into gentleness and quiet corners. On the reverse is a close-up of the gnarled trunk, track titles alongside. There is a delightful air of mystery and appealing shade about the whole package - very tasteful and stirring to the imagination - you'll want to hold it as you listen. Lilting piano phrases and Stine Mari Langstand's heavenly vocalisations work with some lovely understated electronics to create one of the most chilled-out pieces of musical mystique I've come across.
STYLE Dreamy fairy tale soundscapes delivered with lush melodic electronica and ethereal female vocals. ARTWORK This is a fantastic piece of packaging, capturing excellently what Amethystium is all about. OVERALL This is the fourth album in the unfolding Amethystium story - the fifth if you count the compilation Emblem.
His music has to be the most beautiful in the universe. If you are new to this style of ambient, new age, electronic music I recommend "Isabliss" first. My favorite tracks are A small Adventure, Treasure, Anthemoessa, Strangely Beautiful, Frosty Morning Bliss, and Silken Twine. I've been listening to Oystein Ramfjord's music for 4 years now. Buy "Isabliss" today along with "Odonata", "Aphelion", and "Evermind", you will not regret it. It doesn't have any chanting monks or foreign vocals which took awhile to grow on me with my first Amethystium cd "Aphelion".
This review is coming from somone who wants to start a progressive, neoclassical, melodic deathcore, jazz fusion, electronica band. He does it again. If I could sum it up in one word it would be "paradise". Oystein deserves the Nobel Peace Prize.
|
