Search - Avrigus :: Secret Kingdom

The Secret Kingdom

Mr D. | Cave Creek, Az United States | 07/11/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Cloaked in darkness and mystery but majestic in scope The Secret Kingdom is a very impressive piece of work, with a medieval feel that could almost be soundtrack for a movie such as The Mists of Avalon. This is my favorite darkwave album and I must confess, it is not as consistent as the previous darkwave (DAMM) albums I reviewed, and unlike the other albums this does have a few weak songs, however, I feel the good songs are so good they more than make up for the weak ones. So who the heck is Avrigus? Avrigus is another male / female duo (aren't they all), Simon Gruer and Judy Chiara and they are from down under. Sydney to be exact. Simon was originally in the band Cruciform (I never heard of them either) and he either left or teamed up with Judy as a side project, I'm not sure. Judy (she's the girl) does very pretty vocals and doubles up on keyboards/piano and acoustic guitar. Simon does the same plus drums and bass. The Secret Kingdom is their first full length album and it is over 57 minutes long. As you can see the song credits belong to Judy. As I alluded to and the reason I only gave this album 4 1/2 stars, is the weakness of several songs. Tracks 4, 6 and 9, all the three minute tracks are irrelevant so I just describe them briefly. A brief description of the of all the songs follows:
"Overture" as the name implies it is a big lush introduction that sounds like the Sydney Philharmonic Orchestra (I think there's one), after starting out slowly and atmospheric and gradually building up tempo, which actully leads into track 2, Solitude/Salvation. Great song "Solitude/Salvation" starts out sounding more contemporary for two minutes, then slowly making the switch to big lush sounding ending with keyboards. Great song "Dark Angels' Ascension" - "When the fires of hell have burned to the core/ and evil deeds are done no more/ then the earth shall heave with a mighty roar/ as angels of death to heaven shall soar". So begins this remarkable song with double keyboards, and double and triple track vocals and stormy sound effects. Great song"Veritas" A simple melodic song with Judy singing in single and double track accompanied only by guitar. OK "Qliphoth" - "Take the pick and dig thy grave" This is a sinister, ominous song sung initially by Simon (who doesn't sing that well), with acoustic guitar accompaniment. Judy and the keyboards join in on the chorus'. good song "Desolate" another sinister song, an instrumental I can't describe that really belongs in a movie score. forget it

"Flesh" another big production song with Judy singing to heavy piano and organ melodies. "Take these hooks from my flesh / cast across the ring of fate / By the fire in thine eyes". Great song

"Til Death Do us Unite" Heavy piano intro for two plus minutes until Judy sings, off and on alternating with piano / organ music for the remainder. very good song

"Shade of my Heart" another strange instrumental interlude. OK "The Grail" easily the best song and worth the cost of the album alone. eight plus minutes of pure beauty, I love it! "Should I follow my heart to the ends of the earth / would I find in time what a life of truth is worth?/ embracing emptiness / embracing loneliness / forsaking the fortress in quest for the holy grail" I wish I could describe sound, genius, magnificence but I can't, probably less than some of you. This climax is truly a masterpiece, containing Judy's lovely voice, gorgeous piano and drum accompaniment along with Judy singing in the background as a chorus, organ and guitar interludes. I have checked numerous independent reviews and the consensus was that "The Grail" is the best track and all but one (I'll never read his reviews again, I wish I could remember who he was) gave good to glowing remarks. Would you like this album? Probably not, unless you already like Darkwave/DAMM music or possibly if you like Enigma/ Dilerium/ Changelings or if you like gregorian chant music. You have to have taste and refinement like me. Joke, get it? Seriously though, some of you might like it, though I think most of you would think it plodding and boring. I don't even think it's an acquired taste. It's cut and dry, you like or you don't. For those of you who on the fence, this is a GOODY."