DE SOM SEJREDE... REVIEW BY SYLVAIN LUPARI, GUTS OF DARKNESS MAGAZINE, AUGUST 2006
Nattefrost dazzled the small world of the Electronic Music, Berlin School style, when the magnificent Absorbed in Dreams and Yearning hit the stores.Since, his first works are surfacing showing an artist who likes deep and peculiar.
De som sejrede, witch means Those who conquered, is an opus with a Scandinavian temper. A little like a fable, or a legend of the Scandinavian country, Nattefrost draws a story with stunning orchestral arrangements. I'm thinking of I krig, who recalls the Vikings area, Sværdet where the Nordic synthesist shows his ability to dress a minimalist line, and to Nattefrost title.
There is a dark side, even lugubrious by moments, all along the opus. Like a movie soundtrack from a medieval time, where dark spirits deal with Salem witches.
Mod Lindisfarne starts the
story with a dark and loud sequence witch floats on an intense minimalist tempo.
Slowly, the synth
spreads his layers and becomes superbly enveloping with intriguing spectral
choruses.
Sejlende gennem dybe dale's
tempo is slow and advances on hammering percussions. Like those we use to hear
on old galleys in order to
stimulate the oarsmen. These percussions roll on a heavy rhythm, with a huge
synth path.
Slaget som varede evigt is the
longest track on Bjorn Jeppesen first known opus. A good healthy sequence open
the road to the first version
of Absorbed in Dreams and Yearning's opening track, The Battle that lasted
Eternally. Here, the movement is slower and is penetrate by bewitching synth,
adding a bit of sensuality. A good track, whatever his musical forms. Simply
great. I just can't get over it.
Stormende mod fjenden borrows
the paths of the Phantom of the Opera with his huge church organ and hammering
percussions. An organ sound with heavy percussions we also find on Mit hedenske
blod.
Tårnets krigere definitely has
a more serene approach. The keys are clear and nervous, flying with constancy,
creating an echo effect.
A little like Philip Glass works for piano.
Vintersolhverv concludes on a more ambient note, within the Berlin School borderlines with spectral atmospheres moods.
De som sejrede is a work
clearly different from Absorbed in Dreams and Yearning. It is a highly
atmospheric opus, with good
sequences, which we listen like we listen to a movie soundtrack.
It is a musical journey through
the histories of a darker Scandinavia than we use to know. The structures and
arrangements are superb and require some listening. Sign of a work that has a
certain depth.