Description
2004 re-issue on Black Lodge
Not a band, not a woman, but a one-man performing, recording, art-designing, and album-releasing operation, Elvira Madigan is the work of Stockholm, Sweden’s Marcus Hammarstrom, formerly the vocalist for Andalucia and bassist with Ethonicide. Gradually conceived during his stint with the aforementioned acts, Elvira Madigan became a reality in the year 2000 with the release of the conceptual Black Arts debut (in a great packaging, with a classical cover by none other than Spanish artist Luis Royo). It might take some time to get into Elvira Madigan. To simply label Hammarstroms music as Melodic Black Metal would do the diverse material no favour, because it is far more than just that. The often quite long compositions unite many different tempos and atmospheres within them, yet without getting progressive, while also vocally Hammarstrom uses both his grim voice as well as some clear passages to loosen up and instrumentals like �Gwenhwyfar� do their part to bring some well-aimed calmer diversity to the at times quite fast compositions, which though never lose focus or melody. Sure, Melodic Black is a main ingredient of the music, but often it also ventures into more traditional Metal-forms or takes up some Gothic atmosphere, which as a whole sums up to a very diverse album, which makes it very hard to be put into words. The production in general has turned out pretty well, too, only the vocals at times are too far in the background, which still takes away a bit of the effectiveness, and some vacillations can be detected as well, yet given the circumstances of Hammarstrom doing it ALL completely alone, this is paling compared to the achievement altogether. To name certain tracks is nearly impossible, so I refrain from doing so, just know that if you like your Metal diverse, interesting and have no problems with some grim vocals you really should check out Elvira Madigan, you should not regret it.
Track listing:
1. Drakens Tarar
2. Djavulen Pa Engsoslott
3. Kottets Makt Och Kvinnans Svek
4. Gwenhwyfar
5. Multna Sidor Ur Min Dagbok
6. Mab
7. Sorgekvadet
8. Svartnatt
9. Ulv
10. Svartkonst Och Tusenskonor
11. Aterbesok (Reprise)
12. Venus