Callenish Circle
s/t
(c)(p)1998 Polar Bear Records
Review by Neil St.Laurent
Thanks to the band for the CD
It is interesting how a Dutch band with a very Northern European
sound ends up with a strangely Celtic sounding name; although
recently there have been other artists blending the Celtic legends and
musical influences with those of various Nordic styles and histories.
This 4 song, 21 minute recording is a fine example of what Callenish
Circle has to offer: a sound that falls somewhere within the range of
extreme music, between doomdeath and black metal, with its major
markings indicative of melodic death metal. Definitely not competing
with the so-called progressive extreme acts, the music of Callenish
Circle remains relatively non-complex, though not something that has
swayed them from producing lengthy songs. This is a trait that would
make them similar to the song structure of Katatonia, although the
foundation is far less mundane.
The music is, of course, generally guitar driven in the typical death
metal fashion, comparable to bands like Edge Of Sanity or Amorphis --
the dual guitars never approach the style of NWOSDM, and instead
retain a more natural and raw feel. The influences of black metal
are heard mainly in the occassional shrieking vocals, or with some
sustained blast beats. And finally the slow dreary atmosphere of
doom is often heard as interludes.
It is very difficult to determine in which direction Callenish Circle
will take their music, but whichever they choose it should work out
for them. Overall it'd be best to classify this album as a very well
produced demo (rather than a mediocre commercial release), as the
music still sounds a little unpolished and unperfected. But
otherwise, Callenish Circle is a great band, and this recording is
definitely worth picking up.
Callenish Circle is:
Jos Evers - Guitar
Ronny Tyssen - Guitar
John Gorissen - Bass
Gavin Harte - Drums
Patrick Savelkoul - Vocals
Han Swagerman sr. - Keyboards
Contact:
Callenish Circle
c/o Patrick Savelkoul
R.d.Beerenbroucklaan 28
6123 AC Holtum-Born (L)
The Netherlands
Voice: +0031(0)46.4852267
Fax: +0031(0)46.4859968
Email: callenish@cuci.nl
Web: http://www.cuci.nl/~herbic/callenish/
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