nederlands
englishAll content is © 2006-2009, Evening of Light.
Venereum Arvum makes ritual folk, supplemented with electronic elements. The music varies between traditional and mediaeval compositions and own songs, and is made by Sean Breadin a.k.a. Sedayne (also of Shibboleth and Eleanor's Visceral Tomb) and his wife Rachel McCarron. Fower Muckle Sangs is a supplement to the album Scowan Urla Grun.
As on the previous album, the length of the songs is remarkable here. "King Orfeo" and "Thomas the Rhymer" are remakes of the same tracks on Scowan Urla Grun. The main difference is that they are extended to an even greater length then in the short versions (over 21 minutes!). This was disappointing to me, because I already found the originals to be too long. There is very little variation in the tracks, and combined with the long duration, this makes the music tedious and monotonous. This also goes for "Tam Lin", which is nice in itself, but way too long. A great pity, because apart from the length these are beautiful and well played songs with an original, dreamy atmosphere. The remaining track, "Twa Corbies & Totentanz" is definitely my favourite. The first seven minutes are excellent and really manage to touch me with their ritual atmosphere and the wonderful voices of Sean and Rachel. Sadly enough, this track, too, sinks away into a boring organ and violin solo that seems to go on forever.
If all these songs had been about six minutes long, or had more variation, this album would definitely be worth an 8, but like this, a 6 is all I can give.
D.M.K.
As on the previous album, the length of the songs is remarkable here. "King Orfeo" and "Thomas the Rhymer" are remakes of the same tracks on Scowan Urla Grun. The main difference is that they are extended to an even greater length then in the short versions (over 21 minutes!). This was disappointing to me, because I already found the originals to be too long. There is very little variation in the tracks, and combined with the long duration, this makes the music tedious and monotonous. This also goes for "Tam Lin", which is nice in itself, but way too long. A great pity, because apart from the length these are beautiful and well played songs with an original, dreamy atmosphere. The remaining track, "Twa Corbies & Totentanz" is definitely my favourite. The first seven minutes are excellent and really manage to touch me with their ritual atmosphere and the wonderful voices of Sean and Rachel. Sadly enough, this track, too, sinks away into a boring organ and violin solo that seems to go on forever.
If all these songs had been about six minutes long, or had more variation, this album would definitely be worth an 8, but like this, a 6 is all I can give.
D.M.K.