This particular release begins with sounds similar to what you may hear if you stood inside the entrance of a cavern with water dripping and the wind blowing outside. Raison D'Ętre is a dark ambient sound that seeks to create a haunting atmosphere, whether it be the delicate inclusion of white noise to simulate wind, the harmonic chanting, or the sounds of chains rattling. As well there is more classical percussion, that is drum beats, introduced at times in the music.
Raison D'Ętre is one of the more sophisticated entries into the dark music scene, this of course being their most recent release they have had plenty of time to work on the sound. As with much of the very melodic, sometimes symphonic, dark music, the effect of the music is felt from extended listening, and many people will find it very soothing, while others may find it uncomfortable to listen to.
Ildfrost is primarily classically influenced, a rich ambient atmosphere is created with simple melody and synth sustain. "Natanael" is a story, presented in the form of a play that unfolds both within the lyrics, but more completely in the insert (of this traditional LP packaging for the CD). The music gradually reveals the conversation between the characters and presents an overall very dismal outlook. Never very active, and containing mainly subtleties, the music, while very soft and approachable, is geared primarily towards a shift in your state of awareness, one of dreariness or oblivious withdrawal.
"Natanael" can additionally be seen as a great work outside of the particular genre is resides in. The music bears resemblance to certain classical arrangements, and while never quite as complex as their contemporary classical peers, the music of Ildfrost achieves a perfect unified theme and mood throughout the recording.
Without a doubt Ildfrost's "Natanael" is an excellent recording that will appeal to a diverse audience, and if you've never had the joy of listening to soft dark music, this is a wonderful opportunity to partake of the gloomy hopelessness.
Child: "Do the children ever cry?"
The Beautiful: "Alas, I do regret, they forever cry tears of sadness"
Autumn Tears is of the bands that portray a great story in the lyrics, and music, of their albums. The story-telling aspect of dark music is very common, and is another element that attracts many listeners to it. This is the second installment of a to be 10-Act production.
The music of Autumn Tears is very classical in nature, with a combination of mainly piano and keyboard. The duo on this installment consisted of Ted and Erika (we learn that Act III will have Jennifer on vocals), who generally structured the music to be very slow and with only occasional moments of liveliness. Creating a melancholic atmosphere the arrangements and compositions of the duo provide the medium to deliver the grand saga of the cast of this play; which in this act is for The Beautiful to decide on her future by either killing or not killing The Child. Other than the clean ethereal female vocals, and varying spoken word approaches for different characters, are the haunting black metal style vocals of "deceit". Don't be mistaken however, there isn't any shred of metal influence on this entire recording, it remains throughout a slow and simple musical expanse of harmony and melody.
Autumn Tears seeks to unfold a gloomy saga with their tenebrous music.
"and finally all you others whom believe you have contributed with something worthwhile, but nevertheless have been forgotten."
(Thank you list)
Ordo Equilibrio offer a form of music based on simple melodies accompanied by vocal delivery of quite poetic lyrics. Much of the music has ambient keyboards joined with acoustic guitar, which together seek to provide a relaxing, yet tantalizing, listening experience. Whether it is the death march drums and whip sounds that open the album (with potential imagery of an enslaved mankind in future generations), or the BDSM lyrical content presented to be comforting soft imagery, the music of Ordo Equilibrio can be strangely appealing on many different levels.
Definitely falling on the softer side of dark music, Ordo Equilibrio isn't as haunting as many others, and this album may be a gentle introduction, or if better understood, a disturbing contribution, to the dark genres.
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