CoC : Lady Morphia - Essence and Infinity : Review

Lady Morphia - _Essence and Infinity_
(Independent, 2007)
by: Nikola Shahpazov (7.5 out of 10)

Although Lady Morphia obviously stick to the European neofolk aesthetics, _Essence and Infinity_ is an unlikely addition to a genre often dubbed apocalyptic or simply dark in its nature. A good deal of this album consists of balladic pieces where strumming guitars, keys and flutes correspond with Nick Nedzysnki's fine vocals to create a rather light, daresay optimistic feel. They do it well, too, as it takes a certain degree of musical ability and feel of measure to create simple yet moving songs.

Still, _Essence and Infinity_ is loosely based on Oswald Spengler's magnum opus "Der Untergang des Abendlandes" ("The Decline of the West"), so there's the obligatory pinch of forthcoming doom here. "Im Schoß der Welt", "Sterbende Landschaft" and "Sturmjahre" are all classically inspired, atmospheric pieces of symphonic grandeur and nocturnal beauty, adorned by solemn poetry in German. It is the strangely rocky songs "Carmen ad Occidentem" and "Fallen Empires" that solely tend to disappoint, being rather out of line with the others and just generally proving to be less inspiring.

With a potent and musically fulfilling work as _Essence and Infinity_, Lady Morphia prove to be decent successors of English neofolk originators Death in June and Sol Invictus. Thumbs up.

Contact: http://www.gla.ac.uk/~dc4w/lmorphia/front.html

(article published 24/7/2007)