UNDERNEATH THE NIGHTSKY REVIEW BY SYLVAIN LUPARI, GUTS OF DARKNESS MAGAZINE MAY 2007
Wave's noises and distant
spectral choirs introduce a Scandinave poem, recited by the suave voice of Ute
Stemmann, open the road of Translogical Movements. A sequential movement with
metal wings that intersect on their
fine echotic beats gives an undulating rhythm to which is added a nasal synth to
sonorities of acidity bagpipe. In parallel, synth follows the layout of the
sequencer in an analog universe of long ago, pointing out the continual noises
of the 70's. The modulations are superb and mould a rhythm which becomes more
agitated, on weak synthetic loops and beautiful
harmonious themes. What a start and what a total change that Bjorn Jeppesen
undertakes on this Nattefrost 2nd opus.
Forsaking his mythical nebulous
sonority, he splits the atmosphere of a more aggressive sonority and offers
a solid opus where harmony is combined with powerful rhythms.
Searching for a Distant Planet,
Underneath the Nightsky and Intergalactic Journey concretize this new approach
with slightly jerky sequencers, on nervous cadences supported by beautiful
structures of bass and percussions
with beautiful solos, and more direct sonorities, which are transforme into
beautiful thematic melodies along with the very cosmic sound effects of the
cosmic waves.
But the force of Nattefrost
remains when he exploits longer titles, giving free course to its Gregorian
thought, with his Scandinaves
folklore, as on Observing Emotions. A superb title with the fast outcome where
the static rhythms occupy of start the first furrows with a redundant and
undulating sequencer. The metallic percussions are flexible and give an
exquisite depth to a title which gimlets on its axis, leaving a throbbing tempo
nibbling our vision. Discrete chorus, winds of Orion, absent synth on
hypnotic loops, our brain is invades of a melting melody resulting from a
obsessing bass which leaves its place to a synthetic sequence to leaping chords
on the placid and enveloping reverberations waves.
The staticity makes place to the rapids sequences of Winterland. An intense flow with, in background, a fluid synth that supports the undulating and melodious movement, fusing of beautiful buckled solos, enriched by Phil Molto guitar.
In Different View on Jupiter offers an undecided tempo with a hopping structure to light groove, just like his very light synthetic approach.
The Pleasure of Tranquility is a sumptuous space ballade, girdled of beautiful suave synth, with nasal breaths, and a sequential whirling movement. The atmosphere is vaporous and felted, on beautiful revolving cymbals.
A jerky sequencer extends its nervous beats in opening of The Magic of Forgotten Times. Its fine loops of Oracle whirl. Invading they fuse of sound effects on a flexible synth with floating and moulding spheres of influence. A subtle modulation brings the tempo to another level where the synth is more solemn on a rotary sequencer, with the effigies of an intergalactic war which finishes on a mini solo of vaporous percussions. Like a watchman, the synth grinds with an underhand approach, getting the sequencer on its trace of origin. A very beautiful piece which is spread out with the size of its title.
Bjorn Jeppesen could have been satisfied to exploit the sonority of his former work, Absorbed in Dreams and Yearning, that we would have to excuse him, so much it was exquisite. On Underneath the Nightsky, it ventures on new paths, with all the audacity and the mythical of the Scandinavian charms, resulting in a superb album. Built well and, especially extremely melodious on ebullient sequences and rhythms which astonish and surrounds our music room of a perpetual sonorous overflow at the same time intense and subtly melodic.
A must for all EM fans.
5/6