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 UNTO
ASHES
Saturn Return
2001
CD
Projekt 117
The talented New York ensemble, Unto Ashes, produced a brilliant
first album, Moon Oppose Moon, but the latest rises to a new degree
of sophistication.
A variety of literary sources are raided for lyrics including the words
of the beguiling opening track, 'Morte o Merce', which is a mediaeval
sonnet by Francesco Petrarch (1304-1374). A renaissance sonnet, 'Sonnet
87 ("When As Man's Life")' by Fulke Greville, Lord Brooke (1554-1628)
is given a more modern and less compelling treatment. Rather more compelling
is the full-on gothic 'Ein Fluch' ('curse') featuring operatic female
vocals (Ataraxia-style), organ music and percussion, and 'Serve Me' with
its nightmarish keyboard washes. 'They Killed Three Little Maids' has
a mediaeval quality with a simple and repetitive melody reminiscent of
the 'Lyke Wake Dirge'.
Other highpoints include the Coil cover, 'Ostia (The Death of Pasolini)',
a brave and adventurous undertaking which captures the essence of the
original whilst being a masterpiece in its own right, the short '2nd Lunar
Runic Calendar' which features smotheringly dark cello music from guest
musician Catherine Bent, and the troubadour-style 'A Sa Maitresse'
which was inspired by Current 93's 'Let Us Go To The Rose'.
'A Hymn To Pan' (I'm always in favour of them) is a magickal incantation
lyrically attributed to Aleister Crowley. Would Crowley be surprised that
a whole genre of dark folk artists both exists and treats him as a major
source of inspiration? I don't know, but if he was still alive he would
certainly be after them for royalities.
The CD cover reproduces an original oil painting by the talented Madeline
von Foerster.
Rik - 22 October 2001
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