Intriguing and original
Blackheart Blade | Maryland, USA | 06/28/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Mirrorthrone is a one man band by Vladimir Cochet, running out of Switzerland. Vladimir is also responsible for the music brought forth by the bands Unholy Matrimony (brutal black metal, "Love and Death", "Misologie") and Weeping Birth (black death metal, "A Painting of Raven and Rape"), as well as the bands Accurst Journey and Deafening Loneliness. His Mirrorthrone project is an amazing blend between Classical/Baroque and Black Metal, alternating between soft, sung vocals, to brutal Black Metal growls. The last four tracks were originally written for the Demo of the same name, and the first four tracks are a bit newer.The album opens with "Racines Dénudées", an 11 minute epic starting with the sound of storms, followed by a haunting piano. Guitars and drums kick in, and then the beautiful vocals begin. After some interesting music, the drums begin to pick up, the clean vocals still going on. Then in comes the brutal Black Metal vocals, seemlessly moving from one to the other, giving the song it's brutal edge. Towards the end, the clean vocals come back, and the song ends with some soft piano.The next song is just over 8 minutes and starts with some guitar, going right into fast drums and quick clean vocals. Those clean vocals don't last long before the growls take over, and the song demonstrates the brutal beauty that is Mirrorthrone."The Four Names of the Living Threatening Stone" begins with some interesting synth/piano, and endures a good 8 and a half minutes. The piano and guitar parts are incredible, putting many of today's Symphonic Black Metal bands to shame."Aborted" is a 3 minute noise-fest, with an eerie ambience. Piano and various sound effects, with a deep voice echoing.Then comes "Beyond the Mirrorthrone", the first song from the Demo. This epic is almost 7 minutes long and features a duet between Vladimir Cochet and a female singer. The song picks up speed and intensity, while maintaining it's symphonic beauty, and remains one of the few songs on the disc to not have Black Metal vocals.But these vocals return in the next song, "The Notion of Perfect", as well as some great guitar solo parts.The seventh song on the disc, "Moi Mort..." begins with a nice guitar rhythm, and has more ambience than vocals. A great track with great musicianship.The album closes out with the short instrumental, "Of Wind and Weeping". This is a haunting closer song with great ambience to it.Overall, this album is amazing and has no weak tracks to it. Vladimir Cochet is a wonderful artist and demonstrates true musicianship. There may be complaints that the drums are programmed, and he goes crazy with them sometimes and they go hyperfast, but after a while, you enjoy the insane drums. This album is a must for all Black Metal fans and Symphonic Metal fans. There are no comparisons which can be drawn."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1