General Info:
This electronic project from Novosibirsk plays minimalist darkwave. The single member of this band is hiding under the pseudonym Agrippa Cain. In 1999 Cain's tape "Child of Cold" was released by Fantazone Sound Inc.
Discography:
"Child of Cold" - 1999 (tape - Fantazone Sound Inc.)
Music:
"Child of Cold" - 1999 (tape - Fantazone Sound Inc.)
Reviews:
CAIN "Child of Cold - 1999
There is a terrible disease, which is called "Mortiis syndrome". It is
called so in honour to Norwegian ex-black metaller Mortiis, upon whom
the clinical case of this syndrome was described for the first time.
Affected by Mortiis syndrome, one suddenly discovers himself as the
greatest composer, then he procures a cheap synthesizer and starts to
derive from this device undying masterpieces, trying to present them as
the works of art. Unfortunately, this disease is taking its critical
course and it is practically incurable. The majority of darkwave one-man
bands is formed by the people with a serious form of this syndrome.
However there are some exceptions. When I listened to the first two
tracks of this album I was almost ready to give it a low appraisal for
above mentioned "mortiisment", but the further development of the theme
made me reconsider my opinion for creative activity of Agrippa Cain was
not so terrible. In spite of rough synthesizer minimalism the album as a
whole is quite good. Although there are enough pathos and far-fetched
sorrow, but all these vain symphonic attempts which are common for some
synthesizer bands (for example Tanquam from Jaroslavl) are absent here
and everything is quite cute and minimalistic. Of course pseudo-violins
and pseudo-organs sometimes irritate the ear, but not so far to skip the
track. Generally the project is good enough, but there are some minuses.
The first and foremost is the "frontal" approach to the music - there is
tremendous amount of western instrumental darkwave bands and most of
their creations don't evoke the feeling of absence of something. But for
the given concrete case such feeling is actual, and it's very hard for
me to describe the absence of what I feel. Maybe vocals? Or another
instruments? Or the sound isn't rich enough? I don't know, but all in
all it is certainly not bad for the beginning.
CAIN "Child of Cold - 1999
One more ego-electronic darkwave project actively supported by
Novosibirsk studio Fantazone Sound. From the very first tracks the
presence of Father Mortiis' spirit is felt. All these boring
pseudo-"grim" conglomerations of electronic violins and organs,
pseudo-sorrow, pseudo-grief and other pseudo-senses the name of which is
Legion, or in other words - boredom. But I was amazed, as it was correct
only for the first two pieces. I have to say that original version this
demo consisted of only 5 tracks, but we got an "extended" variant.
Therefore "The curse of Nibelungs" qualitatively differs from the
previous - even the instrumentation and stylistic canvas don't change
the music becomes more serious and attractive, by the way, "Nibelungs"
remind some moments from Tanquam. The next one, "Child of Cold" is also
rather good, but in contrast to above mentioned Tanquam, this
Novosibirsk project doesn't have enough composer's refinement. On the
other hand, Cain has more qualitative sound. "Night before the
Execution" has beautiful, almost "classic" melody and high pathos, and
"...Ritual" is to my mind more industrialized than the other tracks
(sometimes even the echoes of Nurse With Wound are heard - or does it
seem to me?)
Unfortunately the real gothic scene in Russia is still absent, but such
projects can gladden not only by their music, but due to the fact of
their existence in the country of Philip Kirkorov. The potential is felt
in Cain, and this is the thing, which makes one waiting impatiently for
the release of their new material.
Links:
Line-up:
Agrippa CAIN - keyboards, programming
Contacts:
address: Russia, 630063, Novosibirsk-63, P.O.Box 348, Kalinichev Nikolay
e-mail: [email protected]
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