Saturnus
Paradise belongs to you (CD) 1996 Euphonius
The album cover, showing a dead deer buried under the snow, prepares the listener for what has to come. Except the incredible artwork, this band from Denmark offers the doom lover more than an hour of icecold, melancholic doom metal the way only Northern European bands can play. Atmospheric keyboards, heavy guitars, a deep grunt alternated with whispering vocals and some beautiful acoustic parts: the ingredients of a dream so sad... but also so beautiful. There are some references to the sound of My Dying Bride ('Turn lose the swans'-'The angel and the dark river' era), but Saturnus has an own identity, and besides it's very difficult to be an atmospheric doom band without being influenced by My Dying Bride. This is a very melodic album, although the heaviness of this work makes those melodies sound very elancholic and pessimistic. Before you know it, 68 minutes of the most tragical romanticism are over, the dream is gone with a silent whisper... paradise belongs to you.	1. Paradise belongs to you 2. Christ goodbye 3. As we dance the paths of fire and solace 4. Pilgrimmage of sorrow 5. The fall of Nakkiel (Nakkiel has fallen) 6. Astral dawn 7. I love thee 8. The underworld 9. Lament for this treacherous world Approx. 68 minutes
Reviewed by: Kostas Panagiotou
For the Loveless Lonely Nights (Mcd) 1998 Euphonius
Rarely has the name of an album been so aptly chosen as here. The first three songs perfectly capture the emptiness and feelings of loss that most of us have known at some point in our life. Rather than filling you with strength to deal with these "loveless and lonely nights", this album tends to drain you ever more, making you wallowing in self-pity. The lyrics of 'For your demons' (featuring an ever so sad violin), can leave deep emotional scars; "Did you wake with a sigh and not a smile, did you? [..] This song is for the demons that haunted me in those loveless lonely nights and for the shadows that stained my soul...". Sheer emotional power unleashed! You can also find the original, and in my opinion better, version of 'Thou Art Free' here. It is one of the weaker songs, which makes it all the more surprising that they choose to re-record it for 'Martyre'. Nice extra's are the live versions of 'Christ Goodbye' and 'Rise of Nakkiel', the latter with a full choir. Bit of a shame is that the cheering at the end is way to long. The album ends with a darkwave-ish track that doesn't do a whole lot for me. Interesting of this album is that all the faces of Saturnus are represented, the sad romantic feel of 'Martyre' (and The Loveless), the powerful death/doom of 'Paradise Belongs to you' and the Kim's darkwave-ish side project :of the wand and the moon: in its infancy.	1. Starres 2. For your Demons 3. Thou art free 4. Christ Goodbye (live) 5. Rise of Nakkiel (live) 6. Consecreation Approx. 36 minutes
Reviewed by: Aldo Quispel
Martyre (CD) 1999 Euphonius
Having built up extremely high expectations with their brilliant debut album 'Paradise Belongs to you' I must admit this album is a bit of a let down. 'Martyre' is more diverse then their previous work but also a lot less heavy. The focus has shifted more towards the atmospheric and romantic side of things than towards the death/doom side. The CD counts no less then 12 (one being a re-recorded version of 'Thou Art Free') romantic depressive jewels and definately knows how to touch the soul of anybody who has ever loved and lost. The epic guitar solo's combined with its slow pace give the album its sad feel. Besides the already known grunts and spoken word, Thomas now also truly sings with clean vocals and uses a type of voice best described as "Darren White'ish" (ex-Anathema). While all in all a good album with a definite sad romantic feel to it, I can't help but get the feeling that considering 'Paradise Belongs to you' they could have done better. And since half of the members (incl. main songwriter, Kim Larsen) left the band after this album I guess we will never again witness another jewel like that.	1. 7 2. Inflame thy heart 3. Empty handed 4. Noir 5. A poem (written in moonlight) 6. Softly on the path you fade 7. Thou art free 8. Drown my sorrow 9. Lost my way 10. Loss (In memoriam) 11. Thus my heart weepeth for thee 12. In you shinning eyes Approx. 63 minutes
Reviewed by: Aldo Quispel
Veronika Decides To Die (CD) 2006 Firebox
I suppose that the most of you are familiar with this Danish band. In the past they have released some pieces of ultra slow, heavy and melancholic metal. Now they are back under a new line up and with a new release. The main title of the album, 'Veronika Decides To Die', is taken from Paulo Coelho’s same titled nouvelle, and even from the name one can guess what is included in the specific album. Melancholic, mournful metal under a doomy background is what the listener will hear in this album; heavy guitar riffs mixed with beautiful piano and acoustic guitar themes; Death Metal vocals mixed with beautiful melodic voice lines, whispers and narrations. Grey veils of melody and mourn are covering the compositions of this record. Saturnus has managed once more to release a great album. The album is produced by Flaming Rasmussen (Metallica, Morbid Angel, etc.) and on the 'Descending' track there is a guest appearance of Michel Denner (Force Of Evil, former Mercyful Fate, King Diamond), who plays the second solo. In closing, I would like to point out that I really enjoyed the comeback of Saturnus which is marked by an inspired release. I hope that they will continue to release similar records in the future.	1. I Long 2. Pretend 3. Decending 4. Rain Wash Me 5. All Alone 6. Embraced by Darkness 7. To The Dreams 8. Murky Waters Approx. 60 minutes
Reviewed by: CountRaven