reviews
Amber Asylum - GardenOfLove/AutonomySuite/StillPoint/Serenade EP
PARADIGMS RECORDINGS
The first fruits of this promising new label, a mail-order-only concern with superior standards of presentation and aesthetics, sophisticated artistic agenda and a strictness of limitation - an EP from the typically enchanting Amber Asylum. 'Garden of Love' presents a familiar face of Amber Asylum, being spacious and melancholic chamber music rich in texture and exocative in scope, in fact upping the standard of their recent output. Characteristically haunting and gorgeous, it's a treat for their devotees and should ensnare a good few more. The sad, pastoral warmth of 'Garden of Love' is eminently worth the attention of those with discerning listening habits. Catch it while you can.
Michael Blenkarn, Terrorizer Magazine, Issue #142
Amber Asylum - GardenOfLove/AutonomySuite/StillPoint 10"
(Bio Fidelic) Total Time: 22:33
Apart from releasing exclusive tracks on eight different compilations over the last few years, this is the first release since "The Supernatural Parlour Collection" (Relapse, 2000). This is a nicely packed 10" inch vinyl with three brand new songs and it is highly recommended to those who seek the darker aural experiences. Violin, cello, viola and a variety of vocals (courtesy of Kris Force and Lorraine Rath) are picturing a filmic, ambient, new age and yet dark as well as a bit melancholic (in the romantic sense) view of the soul. However, the music of AMBER ASYLUM should not fit into words of technical descriptions about genres and sub-styles. Attempting to do so, you will get somewhere near but you will loose most of the essence of what this all female band is about. One should let itself drown into the ethereal realms of the strings and travel to its own landscapes and sunsets. When darkness descents, this is just the perfect soundtrack to your hedonic surrender onto the hands of the asylum. Note this is a limited release.
Elias Ritsios, Metal Invader Magazine, Greece
Amber Asylum - Garden Of Love, AutonomySuite, StillPoint
(Bio-Fidelic) 10"
First we've heard from local moody metallic chamber ensemble Amber Asylum in quite some time. Three brand new tracks that take Amber Asylumšs gothic strings and vocals sound even further out, having now expanded their lineup to include former members of the Gault and SF black metal legends Weakling. The opening track is quite possibly the best thing wešve heard from them, a brooding dramatic soundscape of intensely moody strings, and anguished melodies. Locked in by simple almost programmed sounding rhythms with haunting operatic vocals drifting ghostlike through the mix. Sounds a bit like Skepticism with a string section, and you know that is a very good thing. The second track heads into almost Goblin territory at points with super aggressive pizzicato strings, bows sawing away at the strings emitting truly ominous melodies. Side B clocks in at a little over 12 minutes, and is far more tranquil, and expansive, romantic epic, melancholy yet hopeful, with a delicate crystalline piano figures, very subtle strings and sweetly plaintive voice. So nice. Available only in limited edition 10" vinyl!
Aquarius Records, San Francisco, CA
Amber Asylum - GardenOfLove/AutonomySuite/StillPoint 10"
Given that San Franciscan post-classical/post-rock outfit Amber Asylum have been somewhat quiet of late (their last recorded effort was released in 2000), I was rather taken aback when this beautifully packaged piece oš vinyl landed in my mailbox, well actually I had to collect it from the PO as 10 inch's don't tend to fit in my mailbox, but that's beside the point.
For the uninitiated, Amber Asylum are often associated with such luminaries as Neurosis, Swans, Today Is The Day, Matmos, etc. and would easily appeal to fans of Godspeed, You Black Emperor!, Rachel's, Miranda Sex Garden and/or Dead Can Dance. Surreal string arrangements are seated somewhat uncomfortably atop slow moving post-rock movements, with main instigator Kris Force vocally switching from attractive innocence to menacing snarls, depending on the mood of the composition.
Side A opens with Garden of Love, a beautifully haunting track that nicely ushers the day in, whereas Autonomy Suite crawls with painful tempo, yet lingering melodies.
Side B's Still Point is played in two movements and much like its predecessor begins slowly, stumbling in a type of romantic stupor. The second movement is utilizes brass instruments, which I donšt recall the collective using previously. The pace is no swifter, making for a non-intrusive listening session, yet no less rewarding.
Warren Wheeler, Screaming Bloody Mess, Australia
Amber Asylum - GardenOfLove/AutonomySuite/StillPoint 10"
After a quartet of albums, numerous compilation appearances and collaborations with the likes of Neurosis and the Swans, Amber Asylum from the USA is back with a new, self-released record. The ten inch looks nice and contains three new tracks, with a total length of about 25 minutes.
The music of Amber Asylum is very hard to describe. At times they resemble a small chamber orchestra, while their music also has elements of dark rock, atmospheric ambient and apocalyptic folk, to name but a few. The line-up of the all-female band changes now and then, but the nucleus seems to be formed by Kris Force (violin, vocals) and Jackie Perez Gratz (cello). In total six different musicians are involved in this release.
I really like the heavy string sound they employ, with violin, viola and cello. At times the strings sound moving, in an ethereal neo-classical manner, but they are also used in a heavier manner, almost reminding me of Finland's Apocalyptica. The female vocals are likewise varied. At times Kris Force, chief songwriter of the group, sings in a delicate, heavenly voices -style. On the other hand the vocals can also be a little sinister and intense, making me think of Jarboe.
The first track, 'Garden of love', is a very atmospheric one. Neo-classical string melodies are combined with filmic ambient structures and moving aria vocals. 'Autonomy Suite' has a very heavy sound coming close to rock or even metal, in which the dominant string parts make me want to play the air cello.
The B-side contains one long piece entitled 'StillPoint'. This is a relaxing classical/ambient composition, which style reminds me of In the Nursery's optical soundtracks or the more ethereal Projekt releases. Different vocal styles are nicely interwoven here. A lovely, moving song, which closes an impressive and varied release.
Hans D., Funprox, The Netherlands
Amber Asylum - GardenOfLove/AutonomySuite/StillPoint 10"
This is a 3 song 10" on nice heavy vinyl, and it marks the first new release from Amber Asylum in five years. "Garden Of Love" opens the A-side with deep cello moans and slow and deliberate percussion that has an organic almost Funeral Doom feel to it. It is somewhat sparse, but even in that, the power of the composition builds a grandiosity. The vocals are delivered in a soft understated manner and are given some distance with reverb that further bolsters the lost-in-mourning feel of the track. Then a sharp swell of high end violin draws the track up from the murk like the last desperate flail of the drowning and the girth of everything is increased, heavier drums, louder strings, more forceful vocals, and it falls back again into nothingness. "Autonomy Suite," an instrumental piece, is the other track on the A-side. The strings on this track really floored me. The pain and nervous energy in the manner of bowing gives this track a rare kind of energy. The dynamics of the track swell and withdraw against a march like cadence, bold and delicate at varying moments and it works wonderfully. The B-side is made of up "Still Point," which is delivered in two movements. A fragile lilt of strings and minimal piano are soon met by the heart squeezing ethereal vocals and a soft trumpet. Almost at an unnoticeable pace the drama of the track begins to build, gradually, the elements gain more distinction in the mix, and have their own moments of accent as the first movement draws to a close. The second movement opens with a stronger focus on the cello and trumpet melody and the piano clinks in relative isolation in the background. There is a very cinematic quality to it that suggests tension and remorse as it slowly fades away. This is a band that I have had a special appreciation for a long time, and I felt their five year absence. This is a welcome return and another nice evolution to their organic and evocative chamber dirges. The band self released this, and with a few exceptions, is only selling it direct and at shows, so if you want a copy you may well need to go right to the source... something that is never a bad idea anyway. Beautiful.
Scott Candey, Wormgear, Portland, OR