nederlands
englishAll content is © 2006-2009, Evening of Light.
Selenoclast Wolves is allegedly the last acoustic album of D. Smolken's Dead Raven Choir, which has existed for around eight years now. As always there is a strict division between the acoustic material (album titles that end in "wolves") and the noise/black metal efforts. The latter is therefore naturally absent from this CD, but will be represented on the upcoming My Firstborn Will Surely Be Blind, a collection of black metal covers of country songs.
Selenoclast Wolves is a combination of six new tracks and a re-release of Lesbian Corpse Wolves, which was originally limited to 30 copies. A good decision, if you ask me, because this combinatie makes this one of the most varied ever released by DRC. Instrumentally, banjo and double-bass are on the foreground, as usual, but the piano also has a prominent role in many songs, which was not always the case on past releases. New songs like "January" and "Irrlichter", with the help of aforementioned piano, show an especially atmospheric - yet still ominous - side of DRC. The lyrics are, as always, taken from poets. The Prague poet Rainer Maria Rilke in particular plays a large role on this album: both "Irrlichter" and the entire Lesbian Corpse Wolves are based on his quill-work. Concering the poetry, the aggressive and rather funny "I Am Not A Recluse" is an exception. The 'poem' in question is a collection of quotes from boxer Mike Tyson, paired to great effect with the sharp bark and Polish accent of Smolken!
On Lesbian Corpse Wolves, Smolken is supported by Matt Rosin (vocals and piano) and Emily Salvatierra (vocals), which makes for a unique sound within the DRC-œuvre. Here and there, their relatively soft voices form a sharp contrast to the dark instrumentation, while in other places - like the beautiful "Faded" - they very much enhance the mysterious atmosphere. To top it off, all songs are remastered by Frédéric Arbour of dark ambient label Cyclic Law, and that sure pays off. The production is crystal clear and perfectly tailored to the feel of this album.
It would be a true pity, were this indeed the final acoustic work by DRC, because Selenoclast Wolves proves that Smolken is one of the more original artists in the alternative folk scene. Even though there have been numerous releaes by the band, I'm not bored yet. But, if this really should be the end, consider this CD as a very good 'best-of'. Warmly recommended to both DRC-connaisseurs and newbies!
O.S.
Selenoclast Wolves is a combination of six new tracks and a re-release of Lesbian Corpse Wolves, which was originally limited to 30 copies. A good decision, if you ask me, because this combinatie makes this one of the most varied ever released by DRC. Instrumentally, banjo and double-bass are on the foreground, as usual, but the piano also has a prominent role in many songs, which was not always the case on past releases. New songs like "January" and "Irrlichter", with the help of aforementioned piano, show an especially atmospheric - yet still ominous - side of DRC. The lyrics are, as always, taken from poets. The Prague poet Rainer Maria Rilke in particular plays a large role on this album: both "Irrlichter" and the entire Lesbian Corpse Wolves are based on his quill-work. Concering the poetry, the aggressive and rather funny "I Am Not A Recluse" is an exception. The 'poem' in question is a collection of quotes from boxer Mike Tyson, paired to great effect with the sharp bark and Polish accent of Smolken!
On Lesbian Corpse Wolves, Smolken is supported by Matt Rosin (vocals and piano) and Emily Salvatierra (vocals), which makes for a unique sound within the DRC-œuvre. Here and there, their relatively soft voices form a sharp contrast to the dark instrumentation, while in other places - like the beautiful "Faded" - they very much enhance the mysterious atmosphere. To top it off, all songs are remastered by Frédéric Arbour of dark ambient label Cyclic Law, and that sure pays off. The production is crystal clear and perfectly tailored to the feel of this album.
It would be a true pity, were this indeed the final acoustic work by DRC, because Selenoclast Wolves proves that Smolken is one of the more original artists in the alternative folk scene. Even though there have been numerous releaes by the band, I'm not bored yet. But, if this really should be the end, consider this CD as a very good 'best-of'. Warmly recommended to both DRC-connaisseurs and newbies!
O.S.