I always felt like The Herald came too early in the album. As it is a breath of fresh air, it could've either closed out side 2 or provided some contrast before they ended the album with someone screaming "INSANE!" over and over (which is awesome). Plus the length makes it feel like a climax.
I never thought about this but I totally agree. It would have been a nice break after something like drip drip. Although maybe the point is to set you up for the rest of the album after Diana.
Yes, yes, yes! I've been a fan of this album for years! I found it on some random Top 100 Prog Albums Evar list, it was number 100, lol, but I love it so much it's probably in my top 5. This is the perfect album for Halloween too, to play for the kids that show up at our house... they're not paying attention to the lyrics, lol! That's my one criticism, you can hardly ever understand what they're saying, which is sad because when you read the lyrics they're actually really good. Yeah, love that you finally gave it a listen, hopefully all your followers will do the same. These guys are still around too, I think! They still play shows, that's totally awesome.
Super review of a unique essential classic! Thank you! Bowie was a big fan, had them play at his Arts Lab in Beckenham, and support him in 1969 at the Purcell Rooms.
That’s awesome to hear, thanks! I’m a huge Bowie fan, and just getting into Comus, and this album is mind blowing. I can absolutely see why he loved them, and frankly given the music he was playing in that era, their playing/touring with him makes a lot of sense imo.
This so challenging to listen to,dealing as it does with Paganism, Mental illness even sexual deviancy . it's mesmeric, beautiful the haunting female voices combined with the brilliant guitar techniques. It's great how an accoustic band could be so heavy. A friend, a rock leaning fellah,described it as a bad trip. Whatever it is it's not for the faint hearted. Yes it's even more scary than Black Sabbath. I'm thinking the track Drip , Drip which is about an unapologetic predator would be an uncomfortable listen for anyone. A film called the Whicker Man evokes the atmosphere of this album.
I definitely see the influence on metal in the way you’re describing, but I also see it in the freak folk scene that I was obsessed with in the mid-late 2000s, actually. Some bits of this actually reminded me of the album, “Sung Tongs”, and early Animal Collective, in general. I’m still new to this album, but I’m really loving it.
There's another song on an extension of the album called All the Colours of Darkness, which ties the entire album together beautifully. It isn't even a full listen without it in my opinion.
Nearly bought it on vinyl back in the eighties at a record fair. It was expensive and I had no clue about it so I passed. Cover almost had me. Then read Paul Stump book about prog. CD had just been released so Red Eye records to the rescue. Ended up trading for a T-shirt in nimbin. Thought the hippies would understand. Half the album great. Other half a bit much.
The chugging instrument opening "Diana" is just a bass guitar, and the other sounds are just strummed acoustic guitars and slide guitar. No cellos there. :P
nice job putting MAYH in the background; the title of that album comes from the lyrics on First Utterance! Also, The Herald is one of the greatest songs ever written
"As I carry you to your grave my arms your hearse ". Hahaha I love you put the right Opeth record for this review. This is definitely a must-listen record if you're into prog/insane music.
I do! Though I haven't had a chance to really listen to it all that much as it's not available on Spotify, so it does disrupt my listening schedule a bit
Bought the Rise Above Relics green vinyl reissue to get a good sounding copy and of course right when I did they added the full album on streaming! Oh well I would have gotten this masterpiece eventually.
It might help to know that the band took their name from John Milton's masque of the same name, and some of the themes in the album are very loosely based on that story, which tells of the abduction of 'The lady' by the debauched Comus, a character inspired by the Greek god of revelry, who tries to seduce her with necromantic spells and a lavish array of food and magic drink intended to arouse her sexual appetites and desires. She refuses to listen to his argument that to give in to one's natural desires and appetites is legitimate, arguing instead that virtue is the better and wiser course. She is eventually rescued by her brothers, and an attendant spirit who conjures up a water nymph who frees her from Comus's magic spell.
"Hymen hunter, hands of steel Crack you open and your red flesh peel Pain procurer, eyes of fire Pierce your womb and push still higher" haha, what a classic.
One of my favorite albums, brilliant. Also spawned the names of an opeth song and opeth album!
I always felt like The Herald came too early in the album. As it is a breath of fresh air, it could've either closed out side 2 or provided some contrast before they ended the album with someone screaming "INSANE!" over and over (which is awesome). Plus the length makes it feel like a climax.
I never thought about this but I totally agree. It would have been a nice break after something like drip drip. Although maybe the point is to set you up for the rest of the album after Diana.
Yes, yes, yes! I've been a fan of this album for years! I found it on some random Top 100 Prog Albums Evar list, it was number 100, lol, but I love it so much it's probably in my top 5. This is the perfect album for Halloween too, to play for the kids that show up at our house... they're not paying attention to the lyrics, lol! That's my one criticism, you can hardly ever understand what they're saying, which is sad because when you read the lyrics they're actually really good.
Yeah, love that you finally gave it a listen, hopefully all your followers will do the same. These guys are still around too, I think! They still play shows, that's totally awesome.
Super review of a unique essential classic! Thank you! Bowie was a big fan, had them play at his Arts Lab in Beckenham, and support him in 1969 at the Purcell Rooms.
That’s awesome to hear, thanks! I’m a huge Bowie fan, and just getting into Comus, and this album is mind blowing. I can absolutely see why he loved them, and frankly given the music he was playing in that era, their playing/touring with him makes a lot of sense imo.
@@nikolademitri731 Yes, it's always fascinating to hear how various artists come toether in ways that influence each other.
This so challenging to listen to,dealing as it does with Paganism, Mental illness even sexual deviancy .
it's mesmeric, beautiful the haunting female voices combined with the brilliant guitar techniques. It's great how an accoustic band could be so heavy.
A friend, a rock leaning fellah,described it as a bad trip.
Whatever it is it's not for the faint hearted. Yes it's even more scary than Black Sabbath. I'm thinking the track Drip , Drip which is about an unapologetic predator would be an uncomfortable listen for anyone.
A film called the Whicker Man evokes the atmosphere of this album.
I really like the drive, because I don't usually listen to folk, this is a nice compromise
I’m a hardcore metaller from 33 years ago and I must say I absolutely cannot stop listening to this album. It’s beautiful
Great stuff. I wish you could make a video about NWW List.
I definitely see the influence on metal in the way you’re describing, but I also see it in the freak folk scene that I was obsessed with in the mid-late 2000s, actually. Some bits of this actually reminded me of the album, “Sung Tongs”, and early Animal Collective, in general. I’m still new to this album, but I’m really loving it.
There's another song on an extension of the album called All the Colours of Darkness, which ties the entire album together beautifully. It isn't even a full listen without it in my opinion.
Finally! This is the first review I've seen ever since I first heard this album, decades ago. Nice!
Can we see Slapp Happy, Henry Cow next? Hahaha!
yeah! henry cow should be the next!
I’ve loved this album since it came out.
You never mention current 93s amaxing reinterpretation of Diana.
beautiful music, if anyone had advice on creating music similar to this album I'd love to hear it haha
an old gem, take a trip... Through the steaming woodlands!
Nearly bought it on vinyl back in the eighties at a record fair. It was expensive and I had no clue about it so I passed. Cover almost had me. Then read Paul Stump book about prog. CD had just been released so Red Eye records to the rescue. Ended up trading for a T-shirt in nimbin. Thought the hippies would understand. Half the album great. Other half a bit much.
If you like dark try out Univers Zero Heresie
One of my all time favourites. Also worth checking out opus avantra and cromagnum
Also current 93
The chugging instrument opening "Diana" is just a bass guitar, and the other sounds are just strummed acoustic guitars and slide guitar. No cellos there. :P
There's a viola actually...
nice job putting MAYH in the background; the title of that album comes from the lyrics on First Utterance! Also, The Herald is one of the greatest songs ever written
The Herald is one of the best songs of all time its perfect in every way
"As I carry you to your grave my arms your hearse
". Hahaha I love you put the right Opeth record for this review. This is definitely a must-listen record if you're into prog/insane music.
Check out In the woods - Omnio. Love that album.
Weeping willow is an all time favorite song, omnio is a very amazing album that's sadly very unknown.
Oh also if you haven't heard in the woods 3rd album strange in stereo is very very good, imo
Yeah, I heard that one as well and loved it! It's always nice to find someone that shares a similar music taste! Cheers!
Do you have any plans to review the new Pendragon - Love Over Fear album?
I do! Though I haven't had a chance to really listen to it all that much as it's not available on Spotify, so it does disrupt my listening schedule a bit
Bought the Rise Above Relics green vinyl reissue to get a good sounding copy and of course right when I did they added the full album on streaming! Oh well I would have gotten this masterpiece eventually.
It might help to know that the band took their name from John Milton's masque of the same name, and some of the themes in the album are very loosely based on that story, which tells of the abduction of 'The lady' by the debauched Comus, a character inspired by the Greek god of revelry, who tries to seduce her with necromantic spells and a lavish array of food and magic drink intended to arouse her sexual appetites and desires. She refuses to listen to his argument that to give in to one's natural desires and appetites is legitimate, arguing instead that virtue is the better and wiser course. She is eventually rescued by her brothers, and an attendant spirit who conjures up a water nymph who frees her from Comus's magic spell.
beautiful madness
Fucking A I love this record
I feel like im losing my mind listening to the album.
"Hymen hunter, hands of steel
Crack you open and your red flesh peel
Pain procurer, eyes of fire
Pierce your womb and push still higher"
haha, what a classic.
almost got me to click on this video, tricky tricky