At The Lake - Maya
CD Info
2011
Ravenheart Music / UK
11 Tracks
English, Polish, German, & Sanskrit Lyrics
I’ve long been a serious student of Polish Gothic, learned much of it from John here at Sonic Cathedral. I’ve heard a lot of it; have a number of CDs in the library. Even wrote an article on the subject based on some of the Polish bands who served to define the Gothic musical genre. Well, clearly Polish music continues to provide sounds that are at the top of the category. And this release makes sure we don’t forget. The band does some things that other Polish bands haven’t always done, for instance, they occasionally perform in English. Of course, to their credit, they also perform in other languages; German and Polish and Sanskrit in this instance. But, no matter the language, this is an interesting sound; we get music to stir the soul, sounds that communicate in any language, ideas that take us to the darker regions of human experience. How can we ask for more?
Well, if you’re into this kind of music, you can’t go wrong here. The CD covers a relatively broad range of musical styles. I wouldn’t say it was heavily in the direction of traditional Gothic, although one could certainly make the case for that interpretation on a number of tracks. But, they go in other directions as well; folk, Celtic, and classical for instance. It’s a 6 person band and, although there is only one main vocalist, Natalie Sikora, there are a lot of people singing, there’s some great choral work, some outstanding meshing of vocals. There are also male vocals, done in a variety of styles. And that violin, played by Milena Gaworek, adds significantly to most of the tracks. The symphonics are provided by the third female member of the band, Anna Mentel. They are sometimes less pronounced than what we get in more typical Symphonic metal, but they’re nicely placed and provide that classical influence that serves to guide several tracks. Interestingly enough, the band leader is Milena, the violinist. She’s also the composer so you can expect sounds that lend themselves to that instrument and string instruments in general. There’ve been a number of lead singers over the years. The current one lists a number of artistic credentials, including acting and singing. And, it leads to a relatively theatrical approach to the music, which is good given the nature of that music. As I went over the lyrics I was amazed at the beauty of the stories provided. Some do take that Gothic road through the darkness while others just focus on stories of life, not exactly uplifting in most occasions, but great stories, nonetheless. And the poetry is substantial, well crafted, nice tone and literal flow. Sara Letourneau would certainly appreciate the craftwork. And anyone would appreciate the music provided to deliver the stories.
I wouldn’t suggest that the vocals are classically oriented, but they’re sufficiently melodic too make for some beautiful music, metal oriented to be sure. If you’re familiar with the Italian band Ancient Bards you might see a similarity to the vocalist with that band. And, although this is a Polish singer, for some reason the accent is similar, except when she sings in Polish or German, of course. The Sanskrit is a little out of the ordinary for metal as well. But the multiple instrumental work, especially that violin, provides something hard to duplicate without it, the musical composition, often based on that violin it seems, makes for an interesting listening experience. And, I should point out that the 6 musicians listed as the primary providers are augmented by a number of additional musicians, a viola and a cello augment the musical component, several additional vocalists contribute to some strong choral work. The result is a large sound, heavy on the strings and providing solid backup vocal work with choral sounds interspersed throughout a number of tracks.
The trick in a short review like this one is focusing on those tracks that are most interesting for whatever reason. Because all of them are good, that will be difficult here. The first 9 tracks provide a range of musical styles and lyrical themes but do so in a somewhat traditional Gothic manner. We begin with a strings based classical introduction with a classically oriented vocal line. No words, just sounds that lead to a pounding drum and more strings. However, our dark lyrical journey begins with the second selection Live Again. It’s a metal direction to be sure, more guitars and drums than the strings from the previous selection. But, once you take the time to listen carefully to these songs, you begin to realize that there are some truly dark and personal stories being told. The song speaks to a lost child, and the pain resulting from that loss:
One wrong step / One mistake of God
Was enough to shake my heart / Her life has drown in the wild
Why was it left without a guard? / Please, show me the way I could go
I feel that not everything’s lost / I found the place where she died
But a girl, my child was still alive / Bright eyes, her mother alike
Tears flow and I’m ready to cry / She’s gone – I’ll join her one day
Many of the first 9 tracks follow a similar direction although there is sufficient variety in the musical approach to make them interesting on their own. But, that focus on the personal continues with a number of tracks. Forget utilizes the violin to produce a Celtic sound, one with some solid Emerald Green feel to it, but used to tell another dark tale, this one aimed at a youth of sadness, one where the concept of "Father" was absent:
I am not afraid of darkness nor the pain / I know nothing but one I learned
You taught me to… / Forget it, forget the childhood
Forget the days I spent on waiting for you
Karma certainly provides one of the more interesting tracks I’ve heard in Gothic music. This one speaks to retribution, it talks to justice, and it uses some ancient knowledge to frame the argument. The pain is expressed over a solid metal / strings musical vehicle:
Didn’t say that your roads lead you astray?
There were some moments / Like on a sunny meadow
It was all Maya, I know / I produced it on my own
All your masters of spiritual life / All the Buddhas, Osho and God
Crying out they would ask you as one:
The key is a whispered statement, done in Sanskrit. It’s a Hindu's mantra, Gayatri, which is said to have the power of deleting bad karma:
om bhūr bhuvah svaha / tat savitur varenyam
bhargo devasya dhīmahi / dhiyo yo nah pracodayāt
The final two tracks are slightly different, but for different reasons. The first is a cover of the Rommstein song Sonne. Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I’m a World Class Rammstein fan, have been since before you were born. But this is the first Rammstein thing I have ever heard that may improve on the original. An absolute classic.
The final track is done entirely in Polish, and, as I may have said once or twice, I love the Polish language and songs done in that language. This is no exception. Again there are strong strings and nice soft guitars that serve to guide much of the music.
It doesn’t take much for me to get excited about Polish Gothic. But this is as good as any of it. And, the fact they’re opening for Nightwish this summer at a large outdoor in Warsaw suggests others see it that way too. This is one of the first Polish bands to make English a major part of their lyrical delivery. Expect to hear a lot more from them.
9.5 / 10
