Title: The Thorn That Draws Blood
Artist: Mysterian
Genre: Ambient / Gothic
Release Date: February 2009
Label: Shinto Records
Album Review
MYSTERIAN emerged from the shadows in 1997, born out of the mind of Robert Cruzan who was filling with it an artistic void left by his other musical involvements. Several demo releases followed until MYSTERIAN was signed by Dark Vinyl / Memento More and released ‘A Rose for the Dying’ in 2001. The Thorn That Draws Blood’, the album which is has now been made available through MYSTERIAN’s new label Shinto Records is completely finished since 2004 but for reasons we’ll never know remained unheard up to 2009.
Of course you can’t apply the same rules for such a release as you would likely do it for a recent one as sounds were obviously different back in 2004. But even by past standards ‘The Thorn That Draws Blood’ is something quite special and magical; magical not least due to the grand atmosphere which is the pivotal point for all of Cruzan’s compositions on the record. Everything’ you’ll hear is clearly constructed around these moody environments that additionally contain a breath of the past. The instrumental opener ‘Desire of the Infinite’ sets the mood for the rest of the tracks having a tympani drum section as rhythmical fundament to build on it floors inheriting grief and sadness crafted with strings, synth guitar and clarinet distilling these strong feelings into melody and taking you all under its enthralling spell. ‘Veil Unwithered By Grief’ is the first one to feature Robert’s sonorous vocals; the phonetic equivalent to the atmospheres coming together with low drums that just have to succumb to the superiority of moods. ‘Tendrils of Shadow’ is carried on minor piano chords and steeped in strings laced with sublime drum parts.
‘The Thorn That Draws Blood’ suggests a world that is long gone. As mentioned above it’s a breath of past in the music and if I had to pinpoint one particular period I’d probably fail to. I’d rather say it’s a mixture of medieval times and 18th century. Anyways it’s a fascinating kind of music and if you can never get enough of strong moods and atmospheres this disc could be the next one to add to your collection. A new album ‘Broken Mirror of Dreams’ is in the making for a 2009 release, so we can hope to get fresh material soon.
Tracklist
01. Desire of the Infinite - 2:38
02. Veil Unwithered By Grief - 4:21
03. These Shattered Remains - 3:17
04. In The Sun's Failing Light - 3:49
05. Buried in the Ruins of Defeat - 3:32
06. The Thorn That Draws Blood - 4:01
07. Into the Depths Of Oblivion - 3:35
08. Tendrils of Shadow - 3:47
09. Blackened Soil of Emptiness - 3:17
10. Winds of Absolution (Beyond Redemption) - 3:17
11. Drowning In Seas of Anguish - 3:15
Line-up
Robert Cruzan
Website
http://www.dgrinc.com/mysterian / http://www.myspace.com/mysterianaroseforthedying
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 7
Extras: -
Total: 7.5 / 10
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