Cedamus
Songs From The Forest
[Pagan Folk]
Cedamus is a relatively underground project from Jacek, who I believe may
have been, or is now in, Kataxu. However I am not sure because I always
held that Jacek and Piaty were the same individual, who, after looking at
the linear notes, I now realize to be different people. On a related topic,
this demo-mc release features Jacek, and a handful of other musicians from
the Polish scene, all of whom remain anonymous to me; these musicians all
contribute in session vocals, except for one who plays session guitars. All
in all we have four people doing vocals! Honestly they all sound the same
to me.
Musically Cedamus is a unique Fantasy/Techno/Black Metal hybrid which fuses together inhuman screams and distortions, into a traditional melodic framework. In all honesty, "Songs From the Forest" is really not unlike "Nightshade Forests," from Austria's Summoning; the same fantastical keyboards provide the etherial texture, underneath which move more subtle structures of guitar progressions and distorted vocals. The sound, unlike the later MC, is very much weak, and hence the guitar is certainly neglected in the fold. Although producing an uniteresting sound, I believe this setup works rather well, as it provides a framework for a more lucid ambience and atmoshpere provided by the circulating synthesizer movements.
Bordering on an almost theatrical/soundtrack feeling at times, "Songs From the Forest" is built on a transcendental foundation, in which the listener is easily elevated to heights lingering above the surrounding environment. In essence, I would almost declare this an easy listening/relaxing composition if it were not for the absolutely frightening vocals that we have all become accustomed to from Kataxu members (listen to the end of "War" on the Thunderbolt split!). Nonetheless, these songs are all very well constructed, as well as technically executed, and thus provide a satisfying listen. I still cannot completely decide if the drum is organic or synthetic, but either way they again resemble the "Nightshade Forests" percussives in their broad and expansive war-like quality.
Song titles on this release are perhaps most akin to the original Kataxu demo, relying on blatant simplicity that urges the listener to delve deeper into the essence of their message. For those who remember, the titles on the demo were such; "Child," "Real," "From Penetration," etc. Contrast these with "Myself," "Last Perfect," "In Disease," ect, and one can see the clear similarity in simplicity.
Although elementary, and certainly less evocative in many ways than the next release from the band, "Songs From the Forest" is nonetheless an interesting work, and should appeal to most individuals looking for an atmospheric journey.
© 2002 orodruin
Musically Cedamus is a unique Fantasy/Techno/Black Metal hybrid which fuses together inhuman screams and distortions, into a traditional melodic framework. In all honesty, "Songs From the Forest" is really not unlike "Nightshade Forests," from Austria's Summoning; the same fantastical keyboards provide the etherial texture, underneath which move more subtle structures of guitar progressions and distorted vocals. The sound, unlike the later MC, is very much weak, and hence the guitar is certainly neglected in the fold. Although producing an uniteresting sound, I believe this setup works rather well, as it provides a framework for a more lucid ambience and atmoshpere provided by the circulating synthesizer movements.
Bordering on an almost theatrical/soundtrack feeling at times, "Songs From the Forest" is built on a transcendental foundation, in which the listener is easily elevated to heights lingering above the surrounding environment. In essence, I would almost declare this an easy listening/relaxing composition if it were not for the absolutely frightening vocals that we have all become accustomed to from Kataxu members (listen to the end of "War" on the Thunderbolt split!). Nonetheless, these songs are all very well constructed, as well as technically executed, and thus provide a satisfying listen. I still cannot completely decide if the drum is organic or synthetic, but either way they again resemble the "Nightshade Forests" percussives in their broad and expansive war-like quality.
Song titles on this release are perhaps most akin to the original Kataxu demo, relying on blatant simplicity that urges the listener to delve deeper into the essence of their message. For those who remember, the titles on the demo were such; "Child," "Real," "From Penetration," etc. Contrast these with "Myself," "Last Perfect," "In Disease," ect, and one can see the clear similarity in simplicity.
Although elementary, and certainly less evocative in many ways than the next release from the band, "Songs From the Forest" is nonetheless an interesting work, and should appeal to most individuals looking for an atmospheric journey.
© 2002 orodruin