Arthemesia – 2009 a.O.a - 私人音乐杂志

Arthemesia – 2009 a.O.a

2010/02/02 lovedark 609 views 金属极端 Extreme/Black Metal 暂无评论

www.lovedark.com 乐队名称：Arthemesia
提供专辑：2009 a.O.a
音乐风格：旋律黑金属
所在国籍：芬兰
推荐指数：★★★★☆

专辑介绍：Arthemesia是来自芬兰的一支全明星阵容的旋律黑金属乐团，成立时间已近十五年之久，不过迄今为止仅发行了两张正式作品。乐团2001年的第一张专辑《Devs Iratvs》是旋律黑金属经典之作，而这张新专《a.O.a》在口碑和质量上似乎都要稍显得逊色一些。为什么称Arthemesia为一支全明星阵容乐团，相信大家看看乐团的成员名单便能明白了。这支乐团的主要成员其实只有三名，却有着众多客座乐手的参与，而不管是主要成员还是客座成员几乎都是重量级的，其中每个成员都参与着芬兰的一线大牌乐团计划：Cadacross, Ensiferum, Moonsorrow, October Falls，Korpiklaani,Wintersun,Swallow the Sun．这样一个超级组合到底能做到什么样的东西来，大家听听便知道了。And so the accumulation of records that could be categorised under ‘interesting’ continues. Another band of which I previously did not even know the name, “a.O.a.” is the second release by the Finn’s Arthemesia. As is the norm, the constituents of this part black metal, part ambient and part pagan/viking project exhibit an incestuous relationship with other bands from the country – you’ll find members of Ensiferum, Moonsorrow and even Lordi here, and that’s just in the current band members. Though not evident in the words you’ll actually hear or understand in listening to “a.O.a.”, the topics of shamanism, magic(k) and occultism have had a baring on the music as in songs like the title track and “Patheme” spirited leads counteract against atmospheric keyboard sounds and a variety of different vocal styles to create an album much deeper than most bland BM affairs.

These styles, including the semi-shriek of Emperor’s Ihsahn, the more standard blackened growl found in Thyrfing for example, and frequently Quorthon-esque clean and spoken vocals result in a colourful palette that lends itself well to the diversity of elements in “a.O.a.”. Resembling my feelings in review for recent Solstafir and Bilocate records, a number of listens are required for an understanding of what’s on offer here as Arthemesia aren’t afraid to slow the pace and let introspective guitars show the way forward as in the “The Noble Elements”, showcasing songwriting skills absent in most others playing in a similar field.

As anyone is inclined to do, at different stages over a number of listens a whole plethora of notifiable bands reveal their influences on this work of Arthemesia’s. The key is viking-era Bathory in the clean vocals of “Patheme” but reading between the lines will reveal Emperor, Katatonia, Wolves In The Throne Room, Windir, Zyklon, among others. Nowhere more evident is the inclusion of numerous influences than in closing track “Liber Omega (& The Macrocosm Manifest III)” where speed metal, jazz, black metal and stunning ornate guitar leads sit together beautifully, riding on the accurate and expansive production work allowing all these factions to be heard without suffering through over-powering keyboards or clicky drums, so often the headache in a progressive extreme metal record. If you thought bands like iwrestledabearonce knew how to collect disparaging sounds into one song, you are sadly mistaken. “Liber Omega…” sees these sections blend seamlessly into each other, rather than having to be separated by defined ‘chapters’ and mid-song pauses.

Being the first full collection of songs from members of more well-known bands in 8 years lends this band and album the feel of a side-project, but if the members of Arthemesia ever felt the need to quit their bill-paying bands there exists a thoroughly progressive and professional band waiting in the wings to soar them to new heights. This is another excellent release from a band noone would have considered being a nomination for a spot in this year’s top 10 album releases.