Review Summary: Some suffer to the point where they grow numb. Others are so numb they deserve to suffer...
Ihsahn had always been an innovator to the music scene. First came the renowned Emperor, the dark fathers of symphonic black metal, then came Peccatum, the seed of avant garde black metal (along with Solefald). Now Ihsahn continues his legacy with solo act, further pushing the limits of progressive extreme metal.
The Moribund People, Peccatum’s final EP and release before splitting up, serves as the bridge between Ihsahn’s solo career and the ground breaking Peccatum album
Lost In Reverie. While early Peccatum was based more on a thrashy black metal style, late Peccatum explored the depths of more classical and industrial styles. Along with his wife Ihriel, Ihsahn created some of the most melodic and electronic music of his career on this EP.
The self-titled track and ‘A Penny’s Worth Of Heart’ include some very electro industrial elements in the percussion and synths. Both songs are very mellow for the most part, with ‘A Penny’s Worth Of Heart’ containing more dynamic electric guitar work and harsh vocals. The composition of the music is very unique and catchy in it’s own way, but does not flow as well as
Lost In Reverie’s songs. The lyrics are beautifully written as well as beautifully sung, with ‘The Moribund People’ being much more operatic and upbeat. The clean guitar work has a very shoegaze-esque vibe to it and the bass is prominent. The orchestral arrangements are easily the most dynamic elements in the music.
Once again Ihsahn shows his love for one of the original pioneers of the black metal genre, Bathory, with a cover of the song ‘For All Those Who Died’ off the landmark album
Blood Fire Death (he had previously covered the song ‘A Fine Day To Die’ for the rerelease of Emperor’s
In The Nightside Eclipse). Unlike the original, Peccatum's version begins with slow electronic beats and soft piano work. Ihriel’s voice is beautiful for the beginning of the song. After two and a half minutes of the soft and mellow atmospheres of Ihriel’s singing and the classical piano, the guitars kick in and the familiar Bathory sound is brought to the table. Ihsahn was spot on with the vocals and guitars, keeping the blistering screams and catchy swing of the guitar work. The bass on the track is rather obscure, though it doesn’t take away too much out of the song.
Peccatum soon disbanded after the release of this EP, with Ihriel focusing on her solo project called Star Of Ash and Ihsahn on his self-titled solo project. The only thing that keeps me from saying
The Moribund People was the perfect parting gift is the fact that it leaves more to be desired. At only fifteen minutes in length with three terrific songs, you wish for more. I still recommend this and Peccatum’s previous album
Lost In Reverie to anyone looking for something dark and unique to add to their metal collection.
Pros
* Beautiful atmospheres as well as discomforting ones.
* Quorthon would be proud of ‘For All Those Who Died’.
* The vocals are mesmerizing.
Cons
* Rather inconsistent.
* Too short to be satisfying.
My final grade:
4/5
This Message Edited On 08.18.07
