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 AENIMA
Sentient
2003
CD
MPP984
Turning back from the goth-rock approach of their Never Fragile
CDEP, Aenima return to a more balanced goth/darkwave/neofolk
sound combining Carmen's ethereal vocals with organic
and synthetic instruments and sparing use of sound effects and samples.
Their second full-length album, Sentient, begins with
a remastered version of 'Lilith' from Never Fragile emphasising
the siren vocals, jangling guitars and a strong rhythm element which
characterise the whole album. Flute, didgeridoo, bass, and double-bass
augment the keyboards, guitars and samplers to provide a full sound
that never wavers in quality.
Carmen's singing at the beginning of 'Morningrise' echoes the sound
of mediaeval Portuguese song and I'd like to hear more of that on
future albums. 'Soil Stained Black' opens with the bright sound
of tinkling tubular bells to be followed by intimate whispered vocals,
an appealingly lazy sounding guitar riff and much more. 'Eclipse'
opens with a folk-rock sound. The final track, 'Song to a Moonlit
Mermaid' is a wistfully romantic combination of classical guitar
and the sound of waves breaking on a beach.
Rune and Paulo have certainly
put a lot into the arrangement of the material on this album, and
have succeeded perfectly in combining a complex range of elements
into a seamless canvas of sound.
Rik - 11 May 2003
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