Released
1996
Label
Mesmeric Records
PO Box 92721
Long Beach, California
90809-2721
Reviewed by
Kim Alexander
Contact
Dichroic Mirror
Visit
Dichroic Mirror
Last Edit/Update
09 April, 1998
Nocturnal Garden
Track Listing
1. Overload
2. Beyond The Door
3. Cardboard Crown Of Sorrow
4. Arrival
5. Aswand
6. Storm Of Tears
7. Lost All Time
8. Atmosphere Of Ignorance
9. Garden of Forking Paths
10. Lash
11. Danse Mordibe
Dichroic Mirror is:
Eileen Bowe on vocals, guitars, keyboards, mandolin, guitar synth, fretted
dulcimer, finger cymbals. Michael Gougis on guitars, bass, vocals, mandolin,
noise, finger cymbals, percussion.
Black Prince Edward: Dichroic's Drum Machine!
Nocturnal Garden is a beautifully soft and romantic "old school" more
traditional gothic work of sound art. The exception to Dichroic's "old
school" aural maneuvers however is the use of a wide array of instruments in their
compositions, which is a definite plus for the sounds within the Garden. I
especially enjoy the guitars on this release as they sound harsh yet soft-spoken, clear
when they need to be, riff-laden to enhance the piece as in Overload, and
oftentimes harmonically weeping or grinding.
Eileens siren-like
vocals are beautiful and flow well with each piece, right on key. The exotic sound
displayed in Aswand is a nice diversion from the other more gentle tracks. In
addition, the use here of percussion (conga's?), mandolin and other exotic instruments add
an element of warm harmonic embrace to the release, an oftentimes lacking element in most
"gothic-type" compositions.
Black Prince Edward, the
drum machine, is another addition to this CD that adds volume to the overall sound as in
the Cardboard Crown Of Sorrow, an extremely intense track with guitar leading the
way to each cresendo -- where Eileen blends in her vocals perfectly. Arrival
is another tasty treat of sweetly singing guitar and drumming made yet more complete with
the addition of Gougis on vocals with Eileen, and ending
with the fading guitar crying in the background.
Storm of Tears is a
good track as well with unrelenting onimous guitar, drums and again Eileen
cranking out on vocals: "Through bloodshot eyes, Lie broken dreams, Blurred with
tears, That taste of pain..". A more somber sound is heard in Lost All
Time, the guitar is still very much so in the forefront, and seems to take on the
"personality" of the message that is brought out with Eileen's
vocals.
Those harsher earlier tracks give
way to Garden Of Forking Paths, a more romantic work, gentle vocals, sweet and
passionate -- superb harmonies between the guitar and vocals and gives way to Lash,
a track with guitar leading the way to a swerving embrace with upbeat keyboards and drums,
coupled with the vocals of Gougis and Eileen lamenting:
"How does it feel, To scream when no one comes...How does it feel, To crumble
into sand, How does it feel? At the end of Dante's lash....". Excellent
guitar!
The CD ends on a rather onimous
note with Dance Mordibe, void of vocals, this track has violin type keyboards,
bells tolling, and percussion blending the eerie soundscape in the Danse of Death.
I recommend this release to
anyone who enjoys the darker yet fuller sounds of gothic music. It's beautiful, not to be
missed!
