SOL INVICTUS, ARCANA & BLEEDING HEART NARRATIVE
LONDON UNDERWORLD 04/10/08
Fancying something of a more gentle nature for a change I decided to pop along to The Underworld for a night of Autumnal Folk and there was definitely a chill in the air as we stood outside the venue to get us in the mood for it. Bleeding Heart Narrative merged the old with the new as they came onto a stage with various stringed musical implements and laptop computers. It was the strings that had the first unmistakeable voice somewhat harshly weeping and wailing and I have to admit that I was heavily at first reminded of the musical score from the excellent Cave, Ellis penned ‘The Proposition’. I am pretty sure this was the track ‘Bhnhbg’ which you can find on their MySpace page. At times the strings made the music harsh and abrasive at others it soothed and washed over the practically motionless audience (and for once this is not meant as a dig), bubbling like a gentle brook. Storms were likely to hit momentarily causing this to burst its banks.
Apparently it was already time for their last song but we were told it was one that was going to last half the set. Building up with a wash of noise courtesy of PC samples this became rather eerie, like listening to ghosts as static radio-waves and violins built up to a disconcerting, discordant wall of disharmony. This would have been the perfect soundtrack for Attila Csihar to cackle over and I seem to have described it sounding like Jesu being attacked by a plague of locusts as Amber Asylum look on. Rapturous applause met its final extinction, can I have the small thing stolen from under my skull back now please.
www.myspace.com/bleedingheartnarrative
Once our teeth and every part of our bodies had stopped vibrating it was time for the highly anticipated UK debut of Swedish neo-classicists Arcana. Peter Bjärgö was flanked by the two versatile female singers Ann-Mari Thim and wife Ia providing the swooning harmonies as well as the rest of the band. It was quickly evident, as was mentioned by others, that this show could have prospered by a more opulent setting to go with their luxurious music (The Union Chapel would have been perfect). If you have never heard this group before I have three words for you ‘Dead Can Dance’ something that Arcana by no means refute. As the sounds from Cantar de Procella quickly entranced us shimmering with worldly wisdom we were transported to far flung lands. This was a totally mesmerising treat, one that took me first to the desert, then to barren windswept plains, undiscovered shores and exotic realms, completely captivating everyone in the audience. ‘Angel Of Sorrow’ was an old one I recognised from ‘Dark Age Of Reason’ a defining album and my first introduction to the group. Musically they played for what seemed like a long time but then again as they played, such was the entrancement it was as though time was standing still. During this, it was as though they had taken us to both heaven and hell and songs pretty much blended into each other working as one complete opus, one that reminded me that I must pick up new album ‘Raspail’
www.myspace.com/peterbjargo
Sol Invictus led by Tony Wakeford, one time ‘Death In June’ member are a band I have wanted to see since I first heard them. They have a huge array of material and I really could not believe my luck that the song I really wanted to hear and hoped they would play ‘Sawney Bean’ was the second song to get an airing. This cannibalistic murder ballad was a gentle starter and one that led us to more expansive works of pagan beauty each with a tale to tell. Wakeford has a distinct voice, one that is totally memorable but the rich pageantry on stage was really commanded by Andrew King who backed things up both vocally and with a wide array of percussion. Also very much in the picture was violinist Renee Rosen and add to this flutes and other various instruments it was a real group of troubadours lining the stage.
‘An English Garden’ (possibly not a country one, it’s not that song) was another beautiful moment and by now I was quickly in love with this and wanting to pretty much buy everything the band have ever done. This was music to completely immerse yourself in, English rebel songs bristling with heritage, with the sound of protest and yearning for bygone times proudly running through their core. My mind wondered a lot and during ‘Stay’ with lyrics stating “You won’t go away” I was kind of thinking of Edward Woodward’s predicament in The Wicker Man, turning up where he was not meant to be and being made king for a day to the gods of the sun. That kind of summed up the feeling of what was going on here and the call of the gallows military drum, flute and violin really worked their way into me during this set. Just like England this had me dreaming and that is exactly the sort of way this music should really touch you. The journey back through rubbish strewn, crowded and somewhat aggressive Camden was the unfortunate wake up call.
www.myspace.com/solinvictushq
Pete Woods
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