This is the solo project of Vargher from Bewitched? I haven't heard the previous two releases, but it's albums such as this that make me avoid those dollar bins like the plague for the next few weeks. ...And the Physical Shape of Light Bled relies almost completely on thick piano and keyboard arrangements to move along through material which I was hoping at the time of purchase would appear dark and foreboding; I'll admit that there are a few rather disconcerting moments ("The Serpent's Blessing"), but they are definitely few and far between and this lacks any substance to keep the remainder of the recording moving. Everything functions too slow, with completely uninspired and "lazy" programmed drumming and guitar work - perhaps if some more thought and effort was extended towards these aspects, it might offer Ancient Wisdom some assistance. In the meanwhile however, this is about as emotional as a rock and it's even less exciting.

I'd like to end the review at that, but not before mentioning how Marcus Norman has managed to completely butcher Demon's "The Spell" with a terrible cover that made me whip the jewel case across the room in disgust. It takes more than weak melancholy and artificial gloom to impress me. This type of music always has its fan base though.

© 2001 hando