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 HOWDEN/WAKEFORD
Three Nine
2000
CD
TURSA 025CD
World Serpent Distribution
This collaboration between Matt Howden (of Sieben) and
Tony Wakeford (of Sol Invictus) is a dreamy atmospheric
soundscape woven around the third and ninth runes, Thurisaz (symbolising
power) and Hagalaz (symbolising transformation). Spoken word, chanted
runes and samples are used against the musical background to interpret
the Norse mystery of creation and rebirth on the level of personal sacrifice
and transcendence. Whilst the immersion in runic mysticism comes as no
great surprise, the music represents a new departure for both Matt and
Tony. Matt plays violin, mandolin and electric bass and Tony acoustic
guitar and electric bass, with vocals and spoken word contributed by Tony
and Jane Howden.
Rik - 19 May 2000
Since this work was first reviewed, Michael Cunningham
has kindly contributed a specifically Odinist perspective, as is only
appropriate:
On a spiritual level this CD was incredibly significant to myself, the
initial instance being that 'three' and 'nine' are representative of the
day and month I emerged into Midgarđ. Also during recent rituals I was
urged to look to 'the spaces in-between' and within those spaces a word:
'finnast' - to become. So when I began reading the CD booklet I
steadily realized that the work it expounded upon would communicate an
ancient wisdom that stretches far back into the collective unconscious
of our folk. The booklet is graced with a noble image of Thurisaz and
Hagalaz encircled by the Futhark cast upon a canvas of steel. The text
inside leads the reader from the Ginnungagap through the rising forms
of Thurisaz and its invocation and the dimensions in which it pulses.
Follow then Hagalaz - the sacrifice of the ego and the bright birth-seed
of self-knowing.
The text in the booklet is written in a style which imparts this lore
through considered study and well grounded experience, in a manner which
succeeds in conveying the deep profundity the staves express. No surprise
then when one finds that the text is scribed by Heimgest (DCG Odinic
Rite) and Valkyrie Holley. The track titles on the CD are mainly
comprised of Thurisaz, Hagalaz and Ginnungagap and each appear three times
accompanied by a respective numeral in such a way that there seems to
be an ascending evolution coupled with a descending pattern in which Hagalaz
is central.
Opening with the track 'Thurisaz I', one finds oneself in a haunting
world of voices that intrude upon the ominous landscape which breathes
expectation while unfolding and in which one voice amongst the discord
invokes Thurisaz. Each track then drifts into another and the lore of
the Ginnungagap and the staves is developed through a strength of strings
and sweeping soundscapes. In 'Ginnungagap III' one listens as if to two
spectators musing upon the void - one entreatingly asks "Out of all
this beauty something must come" while the other speaks of the void
itself, and all the while chords are struck in the drifting musics that
cloud and soar around them. And so the tracks grow upon one another. 'Hagalaz
I' flares with energy as Tony Wakeford narrates its rede - the
Mother Rune. Always expanding, each track holds an essence of those elements
present in its incarnations. Yet at times the elements are in rawer form:
at others, subtle and flowing.
One aspect this work signals is that of ritual, each track garbed with
the ceremonies of the staves and the vastness of the cosmology they inhabit.
Stunning and euphonic the instruments glide, a strong base-line pounds
beneath on some tracks and melodies float, craftfully woven and interspersed
by voices and spoken vocals. 'Death's Head' and then its instrumental
form close the CD: "This is where the world ends / and this is where
it begins again" - the maw of the Midgarđ Serpent that snatches upon
its tail in a cyclic feast of death and rebirth - "Out of all this
beauty something must come". Three Nine is a rich esoteric
work and a boon from within our folk and our faith.
MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM - 1 November 2000
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