EMPYRIUM
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Genre(s) |
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symphonic dark folk metal |
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Lyrical theme(s) |
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Sadness, Sorrow, Darkness |
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Origin |
Formed in |
Last label |
Status |
| Germany |
1994 |
Chthonic Streams |
Split-up |
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Last known line-up |
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Ulf Theodor Schwadorf (Markus
Stock) : Accoustic guitars, bass, mellotron, drums, percussion |
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Former/past member(s) |
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Radine Moelter : Flutes, cello |
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Additional notes |
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Schwadorf is now working on his new Black Metal project Sun of the Sleepless and Goth Metal project The Vision Bleak. |
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Discography
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In Sadness I Live |
Demo, 1995 |
| ...Die Wie Ein Blitz Von Himmel Fiel... |
Demo, 1995 |
| A Wintersunset... |
Full-length, 1996 |
| Songs Of Moors And Misty Fields |
Full-length, 1997 |
| Where At Night The Wood Grouse Plays |
Full-length, 1999 |
| Drei Auszüge aus Weiland (7") |
EP, 2002 |
| Weiland |
Full-length, 2002 |
The
Empyrium’s creation represent various feeling upon the northern nature, with
a strong presence of a melancholy feeling thinking to a world forgotten by the
modern society.
“A Wintersunset…” (Vote 9.5), the fantastic debut album released in
1996, is an excellent example of how an honest and deep dedication to the
naturalistic beauty can drive to touching feelings, a travel back in the ages
where the primordial spirit was dominant. In spite of the fact that there are
keyboards and electric guitars to represent that picture, but also the
incredible pathos of the classic guitar, the research of that duo is
absolutely successful. It’s a strange sensation, as to leave apart the human
being for a journey through the energies of the earth, a planet to discover, a
dream with eyes open. It has been a fantastic experience listen to “A
Wintersunset…”, and one of the other qualities is the absolute originality
of the offer, but I think that the personal and serious purpose of that act
isn’t a thing for anyone, it’s necessary to open the heart before the ears.
The
following of that act is the great “Songs of Moors & Misty Fields” (Vote
8.5), where Empyrium kept the same musical direction of the debut. The overall
performance is not excellent as in “A Wintersunset…” but apart from that
fact “Songs…” remains a very interesting album, greater in the second
half and fair good on the first. The mood is in the vein of the evocation of
the naturalistic beauty and magic of the lands of Germany, where no human life
dwells.
Sometimes I was thinking about some similarities of certain melodic moods of
the Empyrium’s albums and the Ulver’s debut “Bergtatt” and after their
third album
“Where At
Night The Grouse Plays” (Vote 7.5) the tribute to the Ulver’s acoustic
masterpiece “Kveldssanger” became clear.
Empyrium left apart all their metal instruments, and keyboards, to play an
acoustic, folkish, and still naturalistic evocation, transforming their
typical concept and feeling in a new form.
Surely I prefer the songs of the previous works but in “Where At
Night…”, and not because there aren’t metal elements, simply because the
melodic ideas and arrangements are better on “A Wintersusnet…”. But an
album like “Weiland” (2000 Vote 9) have proven the ability of the band to
reach the emotive visions of the debut without a metal instrumental heart, but
following the acoustic path of the previous “Where At Night…”.
“Weiland” is the most excellent album done in the vein of Ulver’s “Kveldsfanger”.
The feelings are the same of the Empyrium’s heritage, a sombre melodic elegy
to the nature, near the twilight. Well-arranged acoustic guitar lines are put
together with orchestral and symphonic elements, this time in an almost
classical way. I don’t know it this is the last chapter for that unique and
magic band, but they have already written astonishing pages, with a loud voice,
away from the clamour of the masses.
