Beauty, Melancholy, Passion in (Songs of Moors & Misty Fields) on the occasion of the Album's 20th Anniversary
Beauty, Melancholy, Passion in "Songs of Moors & Misty Fields" on the occasion of the Album's 20th Anniversary
"Songs of Moors and Misty Field" album review by Empyrium
By: Rana Atef a.k.a ``DaRk~~KniGhT``
Originally Published on 19/5/2018 at 4:40 pm
Release Details
Name: "Songs of Moors & Misty Fields" full length album
Band: Empyrium
Genre: Doom Metal
Origin: Germany
Release Date: 1997
Introduction
Since I started my review career in 2013, till I become one of the well-known reviewers in the Middle East, especially Egypt (although I don't like to mention that because I know, I still have a lot to learn).
I like to create a link between the music I listen and my real life, and here is my story with a great band as Empyrium.
My story with Empyrium started in 2015, since I was searching for Doom Metal bands with folk influences such as Uaral. I got different recommendations, mainly Empyrium,so I streamed some Empyrium songs, I think some of them were from "Where at Night the Wood Grouse Plays" and "Songs of Moors & Misty Fields".
Then I listened to Empyrium comeback album "The Turn of the Tides" and "The Mill" EP, so I become a good Empyrium fan, its releases embraced my wounded, bleeding, brokenhearted soul.
My new chapter of feeling Empyrium songs in a different way was late 2016, and 2017 after re-experiencing "Where at Night the Wood Grouse Plays," and "The Mill".
So, I decided to do something strange which is combining an overview for full Empyrium Discography with interviewing Empyrium band, and believe it or not, I got Empyrium's Schwadorf acceptance, unfortunately I delayed the questions of the interview, because I wanted to team up with my dearest friend as he is a great Empyrium fan, in addition, his favorite Empyrium's albums are "Songs of Moors & Misty Fields," and "Where at Night the Wood Grouse plays", and I wanted to have this chance a lot, maybe I am somehow mistaken because I didn't introduce any apologizes or explanations to Schwadorf, I know, I am stupid. Also, Empyrium has a great, big fan-base in the Middle East, so the idea of introducing a written piece about Empyrium, and to be the earliest Egyptian reviewer who takes such as step will be a great step in my career.
By the Way, I am having my new platform to shed the light on my experience, as I may not be a professional reviewer, so I am accepting all your comments, and I am wishing to like my work, and this work to be read by Schwardof.
The Review
I will start with the title, specifically! one word in the title "Songs", songs is a literary genre, yes, it is a sub-genre of "Lyrical" poems which is dedicated to self-expression, so we are before one of the beautiful self reflection, the beautiful devices of poetry, and music.
Empyrium itself mentions the concept of poems, and poetry in one of its lyrics, in specific in "The Ensemble of Silence"
Just I and the poetry of the night, now forever one,
The ensemble of silence plays so beautiful for me...
A Part from "The Ensemble of Silence" Lyrics
Besides, I feel that the album as a story, or a novel. You have the setting here (time, and place): the fields, and the night or to be more accurate the events take place from the sunset to the dawn, in my point of view.
"When Shadows Grow Longer", a short track which could be considered as a suitable intro for such a beautiful depressed album. It is initiated by folk sounds represented in euphonic flute tunes, and Gothic Spoken vocals,
So "When Shadows Grow Longer" is a symbol of the sunset, and the starting of the heaviest day time for the soul which is the night.
In the Arabic literature, renewed Khalil Mutran expressed in his poem "Al Masaa" (Sunset) that the Sunset is the beginning of the agony hours, as the dilemma of overthinking, psychological pain, insomnia mood will be turned ON!
Back to Empyrium's "When Shadows Grow Longer", the music is depressed, and sweet also, attracts your ears well. The full atmosphere portrays a real smell of field, the colors of universe, and the silent existence in night, parallel with a furious inner war.
So, we are got into the crisis of recalling tragic memories, remembering pain, and trapped in a melancholic strong sorrow.
When shadows grow longer
and the sun sets for the forthcoming night;
our sorrow is stronger
as darkness and death are now near by our side.
Many a sun will set and tears of grief will be shed
A Part from "When Shadows Grow Longer" Lyrics
Moving to the next step of this magnificent night inner journey "The Blue Mists of Night", it is opened with a black metal influenced intro, with traditional Black Metal fast tempo and vocals type, this part is like being involved in a vortex of darkened thoughts.
Dynamic darkened sounds, melodic guitar tunes, with harmonious symphonic notes, in 1:30, a wonderful musical interlude of keys and clean vocals, it was like a real song within waves of sorrow. Shortly, this emotional interlude combined with familiar Doom Metal tempo with stunning captivating guitar and bass melodies.
When the shadows fall,
and the sun sets in us all..
A Part from "The Blue Mists of Night" Lyrics
From 4:12 to 4:42 , another magnificent instrumental beauty is performed, represented in charming flute riffs, with alerting, classic acoustic tunes, an impressive folk mood, the acoustic riffs make me remember the folk Spanish dancing music, this part could be a dance, but dance for loneliness, dance for starless night, dance for releasing heavy burdens.
Just silent hopes remain & the aching grief that grows
into a bottomless vale I fall, O, I give myself away...
Away! Far away! To this dim and misty place
My heart reflects the night...
A Part from "The Blue Mists of Night" Lyrics
This part is turned to the Doom Metal musical style again, but the vocals are more into Gothic spoken with crying sighs, which is so attractive, and breathtaking, followed by another magical duet between acoustic guitar and flute again.
The second flute/acoustic guitar duet followed with a magnificent outro of vocals, guitars, keys, and orchestration alongside flute sounds.
Next is "Mourners",
O how many times may the moon has shone
reflected in these black lakes?
Should it be that we can hear,
the woes of those who ceased their lifes?
A Part from "Mourners" Lyrics
It is a really hard, painful track, it is started with a beautiful flute sounds, then followed by drums beats as the beginning of inner storm. Shortly, the storm of harsh vocals, guitars, orchestration started, it expressed the gloomy appearance of nature, and the conflicted, confused status of the heart!
The breathtaking mood of background chorus, loud music sounds that reflected the dilemma of the inner conflict with the definitive vocaling style of Schwardof.
The beauty of track represented in its movements as the previous three movement repeated in the same order again, you listen to the part of the intro again, then the same musical movements starting from 3:30.
The beauty of repeating the intro is to creat a musical relief to decrease the wieght of the psychological crisis for some few seconds.
In 5:24 you can distinguish some drums breaks to reflect the disturbance of the silent mood of the field, and the disturbance of the soul, while in 6:11, you meet a charming, grieving instrumental part, followed with strong, challenging, powerful drumming style as “getting ready” style.
In 7:22, the most interactive part of the song begins, a great, active, painful guitar soul, dressed in flute echoes starts, alongside the rest of the instruments, as each instrument dances, sings, reflects the darkened, blackened colors of sorrow, of a solitude, and despair.
Moving to “Ode to Melancholy” which is one of the most celebrated tracks of the album.
Wherever she dwells I will bid a farewell sigh
For she dwells with beauty - beauty that must die
And deep inside me I will wait for her return
To her enchanting, awe-inspiring flame I'll yearn
A Part from "Ode to Melancholy" Lyrics
It is the first track of the album that has Keys intro, sorrowful, catchy keys sounds sheds a brokenhearted mood to the atmosphere, then it is accompanied with broken, spoken part. The music is really depressive, autumn, and blue one. I liked the melodic taste of the riffs, and their harmony with the keys notes.
The song of a wounded, alone, bleeding and brokenhearted soul. In 3:18, an acoustic part starts with background of beautiful violin tunes. It expresses a scene of falling emotions as falling yellow leaves in autumn, shortly, the music is turned to a more painful, deep musical part decorated with the presence of flute, drums, and guitars, till the first solo, it paints a scene of scattered, broken, emotions.
In 5: 44, another device of beauty, and excellent musical composing is added to this instrumental, you can distinguish the harmonious melodies of Bass, and acoustic guitar within this instrumental part, it is like a play, each instrument has a conversation, and a role to perform.
The Song of a wounded, weary, exhausted mind. The melancholic mood of the song is enhanced with harsh vocals part, it reflects a really sick person, who is so tired of existing in such a mind status.
I mentioned above, that this album reminds me of a novel structure, so we can consider that "Ode to Melancholy" the climax.
The upcoming phase of this magnificent journey is the great "Lover's Grief",
At the horizon the dark stormclouds of sorrow have gathered their might,
neither the moon nor the stars reveal their light this night
and rain is falling, pouring down into my soul,
while wild weeping clouds enwrapp me in their woe
A Part from "Lover's Grief" Lyrics
It is started with an atmospheric, folk flute tunes, it likes the sounds of the wind through cold nights, and in 1:53, the style of the music is not a lot different for the previous stuff, it still presents a wonderful, deep, gloomy mood, which is really attractive is the spoken part, with flute, and slow-downed instrumental background with spoken and clean, in addition to the beautiful, emotional piano interlude in 4:30, it is romantic, soft, and in the same time is emotional scorching, more into silent cry.
The beauty of the track is enhanced in 5:45 with a wonderful atmospheric, folk Doom Metal riffs, I felt, they are somehow carry Atmospheric Black Metal influences in keys, guitar sounds, and orchestration specially in 6:26, the outro is really amusing one, it is only keys outro which could give your soul and feelings some relief after this rage, stormy, thoughtful case.
The final phase is "Ensemble of Silence",
The final phase is "Ensemble of Silence",
In the drunk'ness of solitude
I fear no more the solemn realms of death
No single sigh from my lips as I drink the wine of bitterness
My heart is aching nevermore
for I know that all may end
Just I and the poetry of the night
Now forever one....
A Part from "The Ensemble of Silence" Lyrics
A Part from "The Ensemble of Silence" Lyrics
Honestly, it is the closer track to me, as in my second experience with the album create connection between this song, and a certain personal, and emotional status. The track starts with beautiful, charming, and magical acoustic guitar lines with amusing folk sounds of flute, it makes my thoughts dancing in my head, bringing massive moments of passion, and breakup, one sided love, self-harm nights, my open scars on my wrist, and it drives my "tears to be shed".
While, the impressive, catchy, and melodic Doom Metal riffs that drive me to go deeper into my dark side in this blackened, lonely night, to face not only my wrist scars, but my bleeding inner wounds, I am ignored, neglected, left alone, and not be loved!
Sounds of break, breaking points, failure, bleeding, rise, and fall, and those feelings are raised in the second acoustic part in 3:50 which is employed with notes of violins, and cellos, and in 6:06, calm sweet clean singing decorates this weary inner existence!
This calmness is distributed again with the previous mentioned Doom Metal riffs to 9:07 which introduces a beautiful, catchy, impressive clean singing with a nice strings riffs.
I think the track is an excellent outro of the album.
Conclusion
I think, I don't have to say anything else, after what I've mentioned. The devices of beauty, melancholy and passion, not only represented in the charming employment of folk mood of guitars, and flute, but also in composing a soul-touching melodic riffs that paint the familiar Doom Metal style more vivid taste, and attracting sense.
The link of lyrics, poems enhanced the lyrical style of the album to be more convincing, touching, and deeper.
Thank you Empyrium!
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