An electrifying start, sets a nicely dark tone from ancient tome. I can imagine the ceremony, like a sculptor dancing around his work of art, the magician conducts the aether into a tangible form of summoning some strange, remote depths of existence. Nicely evocative, magically provocative. I have found the ones with no names to be harder to control. Any manner of combination of NIN, Laibach and VAC just HAS to be a good outcome, and already into the second track, it is as good as I would expect from such influences. I love them all, and already am loving this. Evil Mind necessitates some degree of aggressiveness, that is where it comes from. Savonarola was no dualist, at least to start, placing the 'evil' in the world strictly within the boundaries of the capabilities of humans and their inherent mindedness. Their evil begat the evil in life, there was no alter-ego of Christ to embattle, it lay within each of those to whom he preached.
Schattentanz makes me think of Hermann Broch's 'Der Schlafwandler', a fantastic book. We are, for the most part it seems, mere shadows of our own possibilities. Wasting our energy in puerile efforts to be effective. There is no consolidation except in the dancing and merging of shadows, and they will wander aimlessly to the end of oblivion for no end. Now, I'm thinking of Musil's 'Ein Mann ohne Eigenschaften', and even a bit of Kolbenheyer. Fantastic. And, then, to put out my fire of a desolate, cataclysmic future, I am presented with the optimistic Living. Comparatively brighter and lighter on the spirit, it lives for sure. I Am the Center, mentions perception. We are all the centre of our own interpretations, being inescapably subjective and for the most part, ontological. I endeavour to be non-anthropomorphic, which is tricky to say the least, and epistemological, which is great intellectual fun. Of course, I am the central theme of my perception, as are you yours. Unfortunately, not everyone is that self-aware. Sad, but true methinks.
Melancholia, is I think inevitable with the thought of Imported Gods. A nicely constructed track, quite profound and with a poignancy that moves me to think of another review I did that mentioned an invisible goddess and the destruction of idols. It seemed in a way paradoxical, but God cannot be viewed as a commodity. To transfer such idolatry is surely an empty gesture based on superficiality of values and worshipfulness. That kind of a situation could only lead to a profound sadness and sense of morbidity. Dying, and are we all not doing that anyway. I have made a point of making my points here, because I promised a friend, and I am finding my 'reviewing' becoming more integral with living as much as I can before I go. There is so much I need to do, I wish I was sixteen again and knew what I know now.
Morning Sun, was the start of it all. That fragmentary wonder at this unknowable celestial object appearing was the basis of all religious fervour. Sun the great father of life, no sun, no life. From a primitive standpoint that is a pretty substantial thought process and synaptic connectivity. For it to develop, through paganism, Zoroastrianism and onwards through the ages, to the plethora of imported gods we now have on special offer, forgetful of our roots, and investing spiritual devotion to empty shells of misunderstanding. What a course of events it has been! And, how do we stand now. How often do you watch the sun rise and let it fill you with primeval wonder? We end with a sweetener, Candy. And this, completes a perfectly awesome album. I think the addition to the line-up has been a good move. I was more than happy anyway, but now there is an added ingredient in the mix and it makes for sweet candy indeed. Dark, bitter in places, but laced with sweetness and strong flavours to savour. Excellent work. Here's to a new future, good luck and enjoy the journey.
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