music reviews

:::Various Artists::: "On The Brink Of Infinity", Chthonic Streams

dark-wave-gothic

When I was about 15, and first heard the term "gothic music" my imagination conjured up thoughts of what that would sound like. It certainly was not of guitar bands with lots of glam make-up, corporate mega-dollars behind them and oodles of pretension. It was more along the lines of the artists on this CD: ethereal, sombre, non-pop-structured, and atmospheric pieces inspired by solitude, contemplation, the shadows of the psyche and the rennaisance. While I grew out of listening to "gothic" music as my main diet many years ago, this CD is something I'm listening to a fair bit of late. For apart from being all the adjectives I used above, it's also original, inspiring and doesn't have a hint of the rockstaritis egotism that puts me off so much of what is classified as "gothic" and "industrial" these days. During 61 minutes, 12 artists from Europe and the USA, present their truly darkwave-gothic-ambient-neo-classical music.

The artists included are: Dream into Dust, Howden/Wakeford, Empyrium, Arcane Art, Anima in Fiamme, Funerary Call, Nothus Filius Mortis, Kerovnian, Gruntsplatter, 15 delights of Dionysius, 4th Sign of the Apocalypse and Backworld. As for the musical elements: neo-classical acoustic instrumentation, dark and tasteful electronics, ambient noise and the occasional whispery vocal. To be honest, it's hard to pick a favourite here as all the pieces are enchanting and really very good.

Collect yourself a copy for $12 (US) or $14 (world) from Chthonic Streams - PO Box 7003 New York NY 10116 USA Web: www.chthonicstreams.com E-mail: [email protected] (make cheques payable to derek rush).