Arcturus
Aspera Hiems Symfonia
[Ancient Lore]


This is an extremely weird release, with the members involved, I would have never expected to get a sound like this! (imagine my surprise when hearing La Masquerade Infernale!) First off, I must state, this is NOT black metal, this is unlike anything you've ever heard.. they use lush keyboard arrangements, and slow moving guitars that weave in and out of the music.. the vocals here are extreme diverse (as with all of Garms releases), they go from a black rasp, to a whisper, to a sort of choir like deal, and all around and out.. its a very interesting cd, and def. a favorite among my collection

Vox - as stated above, these are very different/diverse, they range from a typical black rasp (done very well to fit this strange music, to an enchanting whisper that brings chills down my spine!, to a strangely done clear voice (very different than most of garms work).. to a choir like thin that hits the background of some songs.. very original, very well done 8/10

Guitars - the guitars on this album serve more as a background instrument, much like most BM bands use keyboards in their music.. they weave in and out, holding the rhythm down, and keeping everything moving at a decent pace.. at other moments they change places with the keyboards, take the front side, and keyboards hold down the rhythm, this works extroadinarily, and makes the music very strange indeed.. the solos on this album are nothing spectacular, just there to add more depth and strangeness to the album... Very original, very well done (as with everything on this album) 9/10

Keyboards - the keyboards on this album are the best I've ever heard (including La Masquerade Infernale.. I'm not too big on that cd) they are used both to keep the rhythm down, and to sustain melody.. they strangely are used in a way guitars would be used, leading the music, being the main instrument, and so on and so forth.. this is the only keyboard based album that I've ever truely enjoyed.. they use some very strange effects and make them work their way into the music very well... Very original, best done I've ever heard 10/10

Drumming - nothing special here with the drums, I actually think this album can do without the drums altogether as I've never even listened to them till now doing this review.. they just serve as background, keeping the music together.. holding the pace down... there is nothing really wrong with the drumming here, as it fits the music well, I just think that maybe they should have tried it without a drummer (just to add to the strangeness) Nice drums 6/10

Overall - overall this is def. one of the most original/strangest cds I've ever heard, and probably will ever hear.. I'm surprised that they haven't spawned over 1,000,000 clones already.. I guess everyone just knew right off the bat that they couldn't achieve the strangeness here even if they were loaded up on all the psychedelics they could find!.. this is one of my favorite releases of all time, and is extremely absorbing.. this is one of those cds that LISTEN TO YOu, instead of vice versa, it evokes all the emotions you have locked deep within oneself (well, no coldness, no blackness, no evuhhhhll!!, but everything else) and can really drive you off the wall.. this is the musical equivalent of tripping face.. amazing cd, a work of art, not enough can be said about what this band has done here... 9/10


© 2000 niosrever