This tape is actually a compilation of sorts, spanning a rather lengthy period in the beginning of Blessed in Sin's existance, consisting of an ordinary demo; Odes Obscure, and also an extended live set played in different areas of France. The Odes Obscure half is primarily melodic black metal, simaler to what they have produced since then; simplistic song structures based upon various instrumental lines and spoken voice patterns placed throughout. All in all, this style of writting usually gets very boring and repetitive within the first initial listens, yet Blessed... just seems to work for some reason. One of these reasons may be the fact that much to most of the lyrics are written in French, a very beautiful and poetic launguage, and also one not often heard within the BM scene. Furthermore, the songs are very long and inticing, drawing the listener into a comfortable meditative state which is especially accentuated with the amazing incorporations of well played keyboards. In fact, the second song consists entirely of one such keyboard melody, with some very sombre and distant spoken words placed over it, which produces an almost celestial feel to the music. Fucking brilliant! On a few more of the tracks, simaler atmospheres can be noted, especially one of my particular favorites where a lone flute passage floats weightlessly over a structure of melody, seeming to drift in and out of conciousness as it goes. Although I am almost positive that this is merely keyboards in a guise, the point is expressed magnificently nonetheless.

The latter half of the tape is all live material, with a surprisingly good sound considering. They are all different songs than those on the other side, and display mostly the same style of melodic material. Although I have no desire to go into any great detail about this side, I by no means wish to imply that it is not worth describing. On the contrary, it is simply because based on their repetitive method of writting, I believe one can formulate an accurate enough idea of what the songs are going to sound like. It should be noted however that even in the live situation, the keyboards are still present to a major degree, and contribute greatly to the overall finished product. I thought I would say this because it seems that many people prefer to limit their synths to the studio, while only using the "real" instruments in the live atmosphere.

Blessed in Sin have proven to me completely that they are an elite band within the NS scene, and I am continuosly graced with the music which they have produced thus far. Excellent work!

© 2002 orodruin