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Review:
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AUnder Heaven are a Canadian duo comprising Matthew
Binks, who takes care of all the music, and the delectable
Tammy Everett, whose voice lies somewhere between Sarah
Brightman and Enya. Listening to this CD it will be no surprise
that Matthew normally writes and scores for films and TV
with the music being a blend of Clannad and Tarja (ex Nightwish,
now solo), rich in Celtic imagery and orchestral lushness,
but with a metal foundation. It starts with the creeping
thunder of ‘Cryptic’, and you would be forgiven for thinking
that this album could be pretty heavy. ‘Behind the Shadows’
gives the first real hint of the diversity, combining soaring
refrains with rumbling power. ‘The Line’ is Clannad with
a touch of metal, followed by their version of Crispy Burger’s
‘Spanish Train’, which they turn into a spaghetti western
epic, set in Galway. The powerful ballad ‘Die a Little More’
comes before ‘Home’, full of haunting Celtic beauty, complete
with pipes, whistles and grumbling bodrans. ‘Pandora’ is
dramatic and theatrical, while ‘My Crystalline’ is almost
a cappella, sung over a backing of spooky, dreamy synths.
‘Inner Sun’ is another mighty ballad with superb violin
solo, perhaps the best track on the CD, and then their version
of Depeche Mode’s ‘Enjoy the Silence’, done in their own
inimitable style, picks up the pace again. The album ends
with the orchestral, Celtic, ‘We Go On’, which is truly
moving. This is gothic music at its most beautiful, dramatic,
theatrical, emotive, moving, haunting and atmospheric. If
Mel Gibson ever fancies doing a film of Fionn mac Cumhaill,
then this would be the perfect soundtrack. Easily available
through their website,
http://www.under-heaven.com/home.html
8.5 out of 10
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