Cymbals - Vinicius Cantuaria

Advantages: Garm's vocals, the overall feeling and mood created, their most personal album yet
Disadvantages: Slightly on the short side at 39 minutes

...Ulver have always been a band to surprise. having changed from their black metal roots some years ago, opting to dabble in the experimental. I didn't know what to expect after their fantastic, bombastic release Blood Inside. Ulver have surprised me once again with this release, as it feels like the music has been completely stripped down to its bare core. Gone are the banging cymbals and fast jazzy interludes. This album is more simplistic, yet it is still so engaging. This music is layered, combining quiet keyboard moments, Garm's sombre vocals, light jazz, and some really haunting guitar work. I instantly fell in love with this album. Ulver in my opinion are the pioneers of modern experimental music, and this album is a quality release. It is quiet, tragic but is still so powerful and is an essential purchase. Perfect... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Excellent track, Classic anthem
Disadvantages: None

..., is probably the bit you're most likely to remember. This loops four times until the beat, cymbal and the bass line are brought into the track. Again, this loops four times, when the vocals come in. "Ooh baby, I feel like, The music sounds better with you. Love might bring us back together I feel so good I feel like, the music sounds better with you, Love might bring us back together." That's the vocal, as I'm sure you're aware. This vocal plays twice along with the bass line, cymbal, beat and guitar riff, after which everything cuts out to just a beat. There are 8 of these beats and then the bass line, cymbal and guitar riff come back into the track. The track then builds up a little, with an extra sound effect being added. After four loops of this, the vocal resumes, whilst the guitar and cymbal cut out and the bass line becomes somewhat... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Sonic bliss from Iceland's best export
Disadvantages: Should eight tracks cover 72 minutes?

...drum beat adds to the melancholy. Evocatively beautiful. 3. (Samskeyti) - meaning 'attachment'. Again, based on a single piano riff, this melody plays around a strange 5-chord progression. The swirling piano hides the rising guitar phrases which crescendo throughout, and eventually the piano itself stretches an octave before sinking back down for a calmer outro. 4. (Njósnavélin) - 'The Spy Machine'. A beautiful yet simple guitar riff based on broken chords is propelled by a drum rhythm distinctly lacking in snare, but heavily draped with cymbals. The vocal melody is moving; the way it is delivered is breathtaking. As this section ends, a darker minor section enters emphasized by heavy bass. The first half of the album comes to a close suddenly; Orri's drums retreat along with the keyboards, leaving Jónsi's raw vocal for just a few seconds... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful