Estatic Fear
Somnium Obmutum (CD) 1996 CCP records
Estatic Fear is probably the most carefully kept secret in doom-metal. The way they combine extremely moody, melancholic doom-metal with orchestral arrangements and authentic instruments like a lute, flute and acoustic guitars is absolutely stunning and makes bands like Therion and Haggard sound like would be bands that try in vain to integrate elements from classical music in their metallic sound. I can't find the proper words to express the emotionality and sad romanticism of this work. Images of forgotten times with troubadours singing their sad songs under empty balconies, hoping in vain that the pretty lady shall come to them enchanted by their nostalgic melodies and despised vagabonds wandering around searching for a place to rest, pass through my mind's eye. What I especially like about this album, is that they managed to create such a sad, melancholic atmosphere without losing of sight the heaviness and brutality such bands should have to yield for maximum results. The male grunt sounds very deep and some occasional black metal accelerations bring more power to their music. From the other side, their acoustic and atmospheric parts accentuate the doomy atmosphere of this album. My only point of criticism is the fact that the second track lasts 32 minutes, while it doesn't sound at all like one song. They should have split this into different songs. However, apart from that this is obligatory stuff for the doom fan, and certainly those who liked Empyrium's 'Songs of moors and misty fields' should buy this blindly.	1. Des Naechtens suss Gedone 2. Somnium Obmutum 3. As Autumn Calls 4. Ode To Solitude Approx. 57 minutes
Reviewed by: Kostas Panagiotou
A Sombre Dance (CD) 1999 CCP records
A wooden cabin oversees a lush green meadow. Massive mountains on the background with clear white tops. Sheep grazing peacefully while the wind slowly picks up and the leaves in the few surrounding trees start to bristle; a gentle summer rain begins to fall from a somehow clear sky. In the distance a flash of thunder with accompanying roar. Then the rain hits the grass… Its releases a magical tingle and the entire field is lit up in wonderful display of colours. On the porch of the cabin sits a man in long robes smoking a long pipe observing this spectacle of lights. An amused smile on his face while somehow the rain averts from its downward course just in time to not hit him. When a little man, no more than the height of a child, with a large beard comes out of the cabin and asks him if he wants another cup of tea, he gives a friendly nod while he continues to enjoy the rest of his peaceful yet magical day. That is perhaps the best description I can ever give of the music that Estatic Fear makes on this wonderful second album. The lush mixture of medieval music, doom-metal and classical arrangements make of this album one of the most tranquil, sorrow filled and intimate pieces of music in my entire collection. Forget bands like Haggard or Therion, this is far superior. It must be said that the emphasis on this work is put on the classical arrangements, medieval music and metal elements. The doom element has become a lot less prominent. As such Estatic Fear does drift closer to aforementioned Haggard, creating a mix of classical music with metal. Still the pure melancholy found here can be truely overwhelming. Even the at times used blackish screams sound warm, intimate and filled with sorrow. This is simply a forgotten masterpiece. Anybody who claims to be into good music should own this, it really is that simple.	1. Intro 2. Chapter I 3. Chapter II 4. Chapter III 5. Chapter IV 6. Chapter V 7. Chapter VI 8. Chapter VII 9. Chapter VIII 10. Chapter IX Approx. 47 minutes
Reviewed by: Aldo Quispel