| Fallen (Demo) | 2003 | None |
Not surprisingly, the first band that I am reminded of when the demo begins, is Funeral. I'm not completely sure if this is more because of the association of the band, or the sound... though, the sound is certainly similar... slow, and haunting. The wonderful low, clean vocals add to the atmosphere of the music... indeed, it is this which helps make the two tracks on Fallen's demo so haunting, and almost ethereal... as if some doomed being has come from the heavens, to create something mournful, and gloomy. Something that could only be created by someone with ages of wisdom, aeons of pain, and centuries of suffering.
The guitars plod along at an appropriately doomy pace, yet they are very melodic for this style... perhaps, due to the addition of solo-like leads at certain moments. This works very well, and helps keep the music interesting when there are breaks between vocals. The amazing thing about the opening track, "Now That I Die", is that new riffs, and new instruments come in at just the right time. Every single time I was about to drift away, lulled by the music, something new and interesting would happen, to bring me right back in. This kept me listening very attentively through all of the song's almost 18 minutes. I do somewhat feel that they could've broken this up into two, or perhaps even three seperate tracks, but I certainly applaud the fact that they didn't. It makes the overall song seem like a monument... a testament to Fallen's ability to keep the listener riveted right to the very end... and perhaps, the very end is exactly where Fallen take the listener. More infornation about the band, can be found here: www.nz-e.net/funeraldoom/fallen_main.html.
1. Now That I Die
2. Morphia
Approx. 24 minutes
| A Tragedy's Bitter End (CD) | 2004 | Aftermath |
Funeral has been rather quiet ever since the unfortunate death of their bandmember Einar Fredriksen, who chose to end his life in early 2003. Not surprisingly this CD is dedicated to the memory of Einar. In fact it seems that some of the lyrics on the CD were made by Einar himself.
Quote from the inlay of the CD: "Du har funnet evig fred nå, broder" (translated: You have found eternal peace now, borther).
The intense mourning atmosphere of this album is breathtaking. Deep and powerful clean vocals fit the majestic aura perfectly. In addition to the normal vocals, drums, bass and guitar you will find a piano and several orchestral synths emulating violins, cellos, flutes and probably some other instruments as well. These extra elements in the music give it a very rich sound of beauty in sadness, while the other instruments create a heavy, funeral paced, melodic doom/death sound.
One of my favourite things about Fallen is that it creates a melodic and somewhat romantic kind of doom/death without incorporating any elements at all from the Peaceville three (Anathema, My Dying Bride and Paradise Lost). In fact Fallen is totally different. I seriously expect this to become the fourth major melodic doom/death influence of the world.
I must admit that if it is not the best, it is at least one of the best doom/death albums of all time. Recommended for all melancholic doomsters. Whether your taste is regular My Dying Bride doom/death, atmospheric doom or depressive funeral doom. What can I say? Only 1000 copies (hand numbered as such) have been pressed as of now and I expect all of them to sell out quite easily.
1. Gravdans
2. Weary And Wretched
3. To The Fallen
4. Morphia
5. Now That I Die
6. The Funeral
Approx. 57 minutes