Soren wants to inspire people to wake up and think for themselves. The Dying Man nurtures this desire as the listener is gently eased from a state of general tranquility (think Gothic folk music) into a fit of rage (think ... more »Tool or N.I.N.) and then led by the hand to drown in a pool of sorrow (think Joy Division meets Current 93). At times, Soren's voice reveals traces of Peter Murphy and Wayne Hussey (of the Mission UK); but ultimately, he is none of these. Instead, Soren wields a powerful new voice and delivers powerful new messages that leave the listener feeling both disturbed and enchanted.« less
Soren wants to inspire people to wake up and think for themselves. The Dying Man nurtures this desire as the listener is gently eased from a state of general tranquility (think Gothic folk music) into a fit of rage (think Tool or N.I.N.) and then led by the hand to drown in a pool of sorrow (think Joy Division meets Current 93). At times, Soren's voice reveals traces of Peter Murphy and Wayne Hussey (of the Mission UK); but ultimately, he is none of these. Instead, Soren wields a powerful new voice and delivers powerful new messages that leave the listener feeling both disturbed and enchanted.
CD Reviews
This album is unlike anything I've ever heard. I want more!
marieinblack | New York, NY USA | 01/10/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Soren effectively expresses the kind of thoughts and emotions that many of us have; but few of us dare to speak aloud. The Dying Man conveys an undeniable disgust for the ignorance and cruelty that is so prevalent in our world; yet, this negative energy is constantly accompanied by a profound understanding, and a subtle, underlying feeling of hope. In fact, this album is crawling with subtleties that will certainly escape the attention of mainstream listeners. But isn't that the way it should be?! Ranging from slow and hypnotic to loud and industrial, this album defies categorization and demonstrates an extraordinary range of unusual talent and insight. The Dying Man is truly a work of art. I give it my highest recommendation!"
?The Dying Man? will be loved by all fans of both, Neo-Folk.
alexander_de | Hamburg, Germany | 10/20/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"?The Dying Man" is a very many-sided album which will please a lot of people, who like dark, independent music.The album opens with the title song ?The Dying Man", a Neo-Folk song with certain Death In June/Sol Invictus influences and a bit of New Wave feeling, too. Next comes the wonderful, ?Beautiful For You", which reminds me a bit of some acoustic tracks of New Model Army or The Mission. "Cipher" has some Christian Death (Valor incarnation) moments and is really good, too. The right track for Gothic-Rock fans is ?Atro City", which comes along like a more doomy version of The Mission, but also has some electronic pieces in it. ?Vicious Circle" is a bit harder, but Gothic again and the voice reminds me on Peter Spilles of Project Pitchfork. Then follows the best song on this album, ?The Devil's Fault", which is a fine Gothic-/Death-Rock track with great guitar work. More Dark-Wave with really good rhythms is ?Ritual Surrender". ?Sacrifice" is a fine ballad, which sounds like a mixture of The Mission and Sol Invictus again, but with very own vocals. Last track is ?The End", some kind of Outro, which closes a great album.?The Dying Man" will be loved by all fans of both, Neo-Folk and Gothic-Rock, but has its own style, mostly because of the likeable vocals of Soren."
Almost 1 yr & countless listens later, I am still in awe!
The DarkQueen | Oregon | 04/08/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Soren is the most amazing and beautiful artist I have ever encountered. I have been blessed to have his music in my life for almost a year now. Yet each time his voice envelops me, I feel as if I am discovering him anew.Soren's music encompasses more than I can ever rightfully put into words. It is haunting, beautiful, despairing, uplifting, captivating, and freeing all at once. The experience carries far beyond that of just listening, as he challenges and encourages you to think and to question.The experience of Soren is incredibly powerful and does not end simply because the CD is over. I am still awed by how profoundly his music has positively impacted my life. I will eternally be a thankful and devoted listener."
Gothic folklore
Frankland S. Strickland | Memphis, Tennessee | 11/17/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
""The Dying Man" by Soren is one of those rare releases that, like wine, ages gracefully after repeated listens. Clocking in at only 39 minutes, however, the bliss is short lived.
Keeping in mind that the term "Gothic" is an overused monicker and not an accurate tool of measurement, I'll nevertheless venture to say that fans of the "Gothic sound" will find much to like here. But so will those of other styles as well.
At times this album conveys the quiet despair as once revealed by Leonard Cohen and, at other times, burns with the angst of Trent Reznor at his most passionate. Thankfully, the songs "blend" into one another gracefully (much like vintage Fields of the Nephilim). In short, this album has it's quiet moments that reveal a sense of pensive solitude only to lead into a electrified frenzy of darkened despair.
Amazon has been generous enough to provide no less than three free downloads from this album. Take advantage of them until your copy arrives in the mail!
***Update*** Soren, the mastermind behind this terrific work of art, took his own life in 2005 (or, as his website put it, was "mystically re-born"). Hindsight is 20/20, but you can certainly hear his anguish on this album (as if the title wasn't a hint in itself). Unless some hidden tapes appear from somewhere, "The Dying Man" will likely be the only official release from our departed brother. There is a live/acoustic album out there, but from all I can gather is a limited edition.
***Update*** Well, the suicide rumors have been discredited and Soren is apparently alive, yet it was his website that announced his death. Who knows? I'm beginning to not even care since no new music has come forth."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1