FLUXEUROPA: MY CASTLE

FluxEuropa - dark music and more

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MY CASTLE

c/o Manuel Aroldi, Via F Morandi 15, 20127 Milano, Italy
Fax: +39 2 8137908

MY CASTLE is the recording label of Camerata Mediolanense and it has now issued a compilation CD of European 'dark-folk' bands entitled Onore Alle Arti (1996 MY CASTLE 02).

The featured tracks (and bands) are 1. The emptiness of the blood (T.A.C.), 2. Archangel (Northgate), 3. The fall of Amor (Endura), 4. Consumptio deorum (Lautrec), 5. Balcani in flamme (Camerata Mediolanense), 6. Le cloitre des hermites (Regard Extreme), 7. If (Nobody), 8. Regality (Weltschmerz), 9. In articulo mortis (Ataraxia), 10. Revelation (Sturm Und Drang), 11. Purity (Vatican's Children), 12. Fur Immer (Kirlian Camera), 13. Wintersonnenwende (Allerseelen), 14. In excelsis (Ain Soph), and 15. La fin (Agonije).

Contributions centre on the 'dark folk' end of the gothic-industrial spectrum, with singing, acoustic instruments and synths, but range to heavier industrial material. True to its aim, the CD brings together artists from England to Hungary.

T.A.C.'s opening number begins with some industrial squeaks and screeches but the music is in classical and light folk style. Northgate's contribution has an assertive opening and then more of the same, so it doesn't seem to go anywhere. Endura's contribution with flute, dulcimer (?) and vocals is particularly good. Lautrec's track is fairly industrial.

I also particularly liked Camerata Mediolanense's own track with its military drumming and moody classical background. Regard Extreme's track also has a mature, classical requiem, quality. Nobody's 'If' has a powerful brassy sound and other effects which put one in mind of a spaghetti western. The Weltschmerz track conveys a strong sense of suspense and anticipation.

The beginning of Ataraxia's track sounds a bit like The Moon lay hidden beneath a cloud but becomes more gothic-punk. They sound exciting but possibly dangerous to know. Sturm Und Drang's track has an incessant drum beat but is otherwise fairly conventional. The offering from the Vatican's Children is also unexceptional.

Kirlian Camera's offering is like a soft, if melancholy, ballad. Allerseelen are noisier with nightmarish sounds and military drumming. The Ain Soph track features soft singing and acoustic guitar against the soundtrack of a thunder storm. Agonije's appropriately entitled 'La Fin' employs vocals and church organ to bring the album to a characteristically Gallic, gothic and powerful conclusion.

Avoiding monotony or excess, this varied and interesting compilation provides a good introduction to the genre.

Rik

Dated: 19 March 1996