This is probably the least metal offering ever reviewed on this site. The man behind it, Fredrik Klingwall is however involved in many metal bands and projects as well as composing dark film soundtrack music under his own name and as Anima Morte. This is pretty much the style that I was expecting on ‘Works Of Woe’ but what we actually have (and to quote from the press sheet as it sums it up without finesse) are “9 pieces of piano works. Each one inspired by a poem by Edgar Allan Poe.”
I have to admit that this has not blown me away but then again the minimalism of simplistic piano sonata is probably not designed to do so. This is moody background music in essence and is designed to send the listener into a bit of a chill laden and uncomfortably haunted mood. It is creepy as are the works of Poe which are invoked in the musical chapters such as ‘Spirits Of The Dead’ and ‘The Conqueror Worm,’ which is known and loved by movie fans as the commonly entitled ‘Witchfinder General’.
The piano is utilised as this starts on ‘The Sleeper’ to sound like a striking Grandfather clock. On the whole the music is gentle as it flows along and haunts like a thing from the ancient past making its presence felt. Running at just 22 minutes this offers short abstract pieces that work on a whole as a complete piece and are quite difficult to take as individual parts by their titles. Having said that, ‘Alone’ for instance does evoke a feeling of sorrow and solitude within its structure as it washes over you and ‘Spirits Of The Dead’ has a slight cheeky canter within as though it is suggesting the spirits are somewhat mischievous and at play.
This is really designed for someone who loves classical piano pieces and possibly film soundtracks and if it were not for its short running time be perfect for sitting down and using to accompany a good horror book. I did note a couple of pieces that reminded of particular soundtracks, Joseph LoDuca and The Evil Dead in particular and on closer ‘A Dream Within A Dream’ Nekromantik. I am certainly interested in what tricks Fredrik has next up his sleeve, apparently he is writing a new album called ‘Entrance’ at the moment and you can listen to parts of ‘Works Of Woe on his MySpace page.
http://www.klingwall.se
http://www.myspace.com/klingwall
