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WAER012
Full lenght CD, 17 Tracks (Digipack)
The collaboration with Radio Rivendell expands even more with this stunning release of epic fantasy music. All but 2 tracks are previously unreleased and written for the project. Fans of neoclassical, dark ambient, orchestral, video game, medieval, fantasy music will enjoy this compilation a lot!
Tracklist: Sully Koba, Dråm, Erdenstern, Lost Kingdom, Markus Holler, Dimitrij Volstoj, Za Frûmi, Peter Szwach, Gargrim The Liar, Encryption, Sibelian, A Journey of the Mind, Sean Beeson, Unto Ashes, Anabasis, Zmei Gorinich, Ataraxia.
Read more about the release here.
Tracklist
1. Markus Holler - Nebelmärchen
2. Erdernstern - Into the Green - The Heroes Return
3. Sean Beeson - Voice of the Seraphim
4. Wilbert Roget, II - Atonement
5. Gargrim the Liar - The Pavillion
6. Dimitrij Volstoj - Bleeding the Bishop
7. Sibelian - Wish Fullfilling Jewel
8. Tom W Hall - Freakshow Soundtrack
9. Abnocto - Spiritus Arma
10. Balaghan - Secret Place
11. Lost Kingdom - In Heaven
12. Rising Shadows - Dead Cold
13. Tincolindo - Priestess of Avalon
14. Project Morfeo - Escape from the Dragons Lair
15. Morgan the bard - Galdralag
16. Morgan the bard - Galdralag
17. Helen Trevillion - The Mermaid Part I: The Storm
Reviews of Radio Rivendell Compilation vol. 1 (click highlighted text for full review)
"Personally I think it's worth buying and will find a welcome home amongst any soundtrack, or roleplay fan's collection."
- Ray Thompson - Sci-fi Online
"Hail Waerloga Records and Radio Rivendell! This the compilation I have
always wanted to hear. Waerloga compilation vol. 1 - A tribute to Uglakh was the start and this is one hell of a follow up! The music on this compilation has a lot of atmosphere and there are some excellent contributions on it."
- Ivan Racheck - Chain D.L.K.
"A mixed bunch of artists that go very well together. An entertaining
compilation that gives me goose bumps on several occasions.
This compilation is a good way to get to know some new names and one of the best internet radio stations out there!... A 5/5 compilation!"
- David Purdie - Musical Zone Japan
"This is a must for this into the Lord of the Rings soundtrack, and should
appeal to all those into Arcana, The Protagonist, etc. To top it off, this
flows very nicely between tracks and really sounds like one complete
soundtrack, as opposed to a hodgepodge of artists thrown together..."
- Malignant Records
"I really like the diversity of this sampler, ranging from straightforward
tracks to really dark fantasy music, and from experimental soundscapes to more atmospheric pieces."
- Spirit of metal - Irma
Full Reviews:
Chain D.L.K - by Ivan Racheck:
Grade: 5/5
Hail Waerloga Records and Radio Rivendell!
This the compilation I have always wanted to hear. Waerloga compilation vol. 1 - A tribute to Uglakh was the start and this is one hell of a follow up!
The music on this compilation has a lot of atmosphere and there are some excellent contributions on it.
I have to admit I was concerned at first when I heard about this release.
Waerloga in Rivendell? Sounds like a collaboration between dark fantasy and elvish Enya fantasy. I looked up Radio Rivendell and found out I was all wrong. The radio station focuses mainly on fantasy music as a whole and not only on cheesy girlish fantasy. Why I even, in the first place, thought Radio Rivendell had to be only about new age and Enya I do not know. Probably because many of the elven inspired bands have hijacked elves and made the songs about them into pop and cheesy garbish. Maybe only me being cynical?
Instead of my fear I found that many of the songs played on the radio are from films. Andres or "Elrond" as he calls himself on the radio webpage have gathered some of the best soundtracks that fit. He has also computer game music scores, music from dark ambient and neo-classical acts. Arcana have many albums on the show as an example.
A funny side note is that the Waerloga records band Za Frûmi has divided the radio station in two! I know it because the radio station let listeners make short reviews of the song they hear or heard before. In the comments most people love and adore Za Frûmi but the haters are loud and seem to represent another side of fantasy.
The ambient scene have since long been divided in cells/groups. Is it time for the fantasy inspired music scene (dark ambient, neoclassical, folk/medieval, computer game music, film music and dark soundscapes) to experience the same as the ambient scene did a while back?
If so (sorry if this is already happening but if it does it is not something many do) would the stiles be named: Dark fantasy, elvish fantasy, orcish fantasy, Hollywood fantasy, Zimmer fantasy or maybe even Conan (insert favorite film) fantasy? Or, maybe not.
Back to the compilation. Best known names for me are Abnocto (I just wrote a review of their debut, but knew of them from before from some other good compilations), Erdenstern, Rising Shadows and Morgan the Bard. But there are a couple of really cool surprises on this compilation from bands that I had not heard about from before!
Erdenstern have a suite on the compilation, containing the two main themes,"Into The Green" and the heroes theme, combined into a whole story in short. The song is remixed especially for the compilation. Erdenstern picked the piece as a "special" for the CD, and as an attraction to all the people who liked the bands music and already have "Into The Green". The song is very good and Erdenstern fits a compilation like this perfectly!
Another German is Markus Holler which are the computer game composer of (among others) "S.T.A.L.K.E.R. - Shadow of Chernobyl". Marcus song is the first on the CD and it is very well written and performed.
The third German act is called Balaghan and is the solo project of Bernard Kahlen. His music is also game music fantasy with melodies that get you think about role-playing games (as with Erdenstern) such as Dungeons & Dragons RPG.
Two acts originate from England. Tincolindo and Helen Trevilion.
The last act is, known for her website called destiny hikari, kind of the
lighter of the pieces on the album.
I listened to some of her material on her site and it often are a bit to
much pop for my taste but in some songs she shine like the true star she
could be! The song on this album is wonderful and a great way to end the compilation. Tincolindo´s song "Priestess of Avalon" is very easy to understand its inspiration. As you hear the song you can see the mist, the ship and the island.
Two of the more odd pieces come from Italy. Morgan the bard and Project
Morfeo. Morgan the bard has been on compilations such as one tributing Falkenbach. The original black metal version of "Galdralag" has been composed by Falkenbach. The track got several dimensions and I can clearly hear the inspiration of Summoning mixed with Medieval-Troubadour & Renaissance music.
The song works best in the beginning and then kind of drifts away. I knew of Morgan the bard from before and I think the track is mighty fine.
Project Morfeo start their song with some old school sounds of a dragon and work through different passages in the composition. I like some passages, dislike some and love others.
The lone warrior from New Zealand goes under the name Tom W Hall. The info pages about this compilation give me some info: "On the compilation we can hear the original "prototype" version of what became three lengthier parts used as the soundtrack for Sarah Forgan's "Freakshow - Performing Secrets"
piece at the Dunedin Fringe Festival 2006.".
The song is very easy to like. It got a dark and rather melancholy feel to it. Very much like film music to some dark thriller or drama maybe? I feel sadness in the song. It ends with some strange industrial thing which could maybe been shorten a little. This is a very good track!
Another lone wolf (when it comes to origin) is Dimitrij Volstoj. He is a
Russian director, conductor and composer of music. He is also known for his work arranging choirs. Dimitrij is living in Canada (Saskatchewan).
According to the info page about the release "Dimitrij fled Russia in the early 80s and still have some legal issues with his birth town which make him use different artistic names. Even the name Dimitrij Volstoj is not his real name."
His music is dark as hell and he got the without a doubt best track name "Bleeding the bishop". The track is dark and atmospherically with female and male vocals.
From USA the compilation got two game music composers: Willbert Roget II and Sean Beeson. Both are very talented!
Willbert with the track "Atonement" have a very likable piece of dark
soundtrack music. The track is very well written.
Sean Beeson has done music for films which one can hear in his music. Like"Atonement" the track "Voice of the Seraphim" is very well written and beautiful. I would like to hear more of both of these composers for sure!
Then we have the Swedes. They have no less than five acts on this
compilation CD. Abnocto (Simon Heath and Simon Kölle) have a track called "Spiritus arma" which is very atmospheric and dark. This is also the opening track on Abnocto´s debut album entitled "Simon Magus". As you see it’s the name Simon that’s in focus a lot. The track is one of the best on the compilation and that says a lot.
Rising Shadows (Fredrik Klingwall and Linda-li Dahlin) had an interesting
debut album released some while back and this track was very much sounding like it. Pretty slow and enchanting track. It is not the best song made by Rising Shadows but I like it.
Two Swedish brothers Mikael & Daniel Tjernberg are Lost Kingdom. They appear with a track called "In heaven". Hell, I am in heaven listening to it. It is neo-classical with a touch of both romanticism and modernism. I want to hear more from this duo. I would love for them to Explore in the further regions of experience. Demons to some. Angels to others. Something like that.
What I mean is that if I lack something it is a touch of more darkness. Very intriguing and nice track.
Another very cool and fresh track comes from Sibelian. A Swedish project of Stephen John Svanholm. According to the info page he (in the 80s and early 90s) played lead guitar in a British funk metal band called Ignorance, releasing two CDs and touring extensively. After this he went on to study classical music at University and then specialize in opera singing at Music College in England.
You can on his track "Wish Fulfilling Jewel" here a very unique mix of opera (no words), chanting and moody music.
Gargrim the liar is the project of Andres aka Elrond. The track "The
Pavilion" is one of the best on the compilation!
It has a slow and searching beginning but after a while it is pure magic.
Very atmospheric, beautiful and haunting.
If you want to dream of great fantasy worlds you should purchase this
compilation.
Make sure to check out Radio Rivendell (Radio station):
http://www.radiorivendell.com
An inspiring album with a lot of talented artists!
Sci-fi Online - by Ray Thompson:
Grade: 8/10
Waerloga Records and Radio Rivendell present a fresh fantasy music compilation. Fans of dark ambient, orchestral, neo folk, video game, fantasy music will enjoy this compilation. Radio Rivendell has gathered the 16 artists carefully with the goal of revealing some of the best up and coming acts in the genre. Almost all of the tracks are previously unreleased. In short a dark, moody and varied compilation, with a high quality of music.
You can see the compilation as an instrumental soundtrack to several (not existing) fantasy music films or games...
Radio Rivendell (www.radiorivendell.com) is a non-commercial, non-profit making web-based radio station dedicated to playing fantasy music. The station has been online since 2001 and its music content is mainly from fantasy films like Lord of the Rings, Conan, Willow, etc. It also features music from well known computer games including Warcraft, Baldur's Gate, Dungeon Siege and many more.
The core listeners are either roleplay fans who want some ambient background music when they are playing, or fans of soundtracks in general.
More recently the station has also started to play music from unknown artists who have either scored music to obscure games that never made it into the mainstream, or from artists who compose for the love of it.
Highlights of this collection, for me, include: Into the Green - The Heroes Return: This is possibly the collection's most mainstream style theme tune and has a lot of energy. Voice of Seraphim: As impressive as any movie soundtrack you'll hear. In fact I was reminded of Patrick Doyle's music - especially from the movie Eragon.
The Pavillion: An interesting slow track that builds nicely.
Escape from the Dragon's Lair: A great track which gets the blood pumping - ideal to listen to when playing a game that involves a race against time, or some sort of chase.
The Mermaid: Part I: The Storm: Arguably this compilation's most beautiful piece. By far and away my favourite track. It sounds not unlike Danny Elfman's incidental music for Edward Scissorhands. In fact there are more than a few Elfman beats used through out this piece.
While this compilation is pretty impressive and showcases a lot of new talent I wonder how many people will actually want to purchase this when they can listen to an endless stream of music for free on Radio Rivendell's website.
Personally I think it's worth buying and will find a welcome home amongst any soundtrack, or roleplay fan's collection.
Musical Zone Japan - by David Purdie:
The second compilation by Waerloga Records from Sweden again devoted to a wide variety of fantasy music. The album contains a mixture of melodic and atmospheric music. Waerloga team up with my friends at Radio Rivendell, a great internet based radio focused only on fantasy. Both the light and the dark side of it.
Most noteworthy on the compilation is without a doubt the presence of Markus Holler, Abnocto, Lost kingdom and Helen Trevillion.
The compilations contains of 16 lesser known acts. Most of the tracks here are very good. There are some nice slower, atmospheric pieces, like the contributions by Sean Beeson, Erdenstern, Balaghan, Markus Holler and Wilbert Roget II that sound like video game music. Good such music should be added! Furthermore there are some dark and very atmospheric tracks created by Gargrim the liar, Dimitrij Volstoj, Abnocto, Rising shadows, Sibelian and Tom W Hall. Morgan The Bard’s track could be described as a mix of fairy inspired fantasy and something strange. Project Morfeo with "Escape from the Dragons Lair" explain the song in the title. An escape the dragon song.
Averil "Tincolindo" White, Helen Trevillion and Lost Kingdom stand out on their separate way. The first with a slow atmospheric song that is not so dark. The second by an awesome (as I can hear) Sleepy Hollow tribute and the third with a track inspired by romantic avant-garde classical music.
A mixed bunch of artists that go very well together. An entertaining compilation that gives me goose bumps on several occasions.
This compilation is a good way to get to know some new names and one of the best internet radio stations out there!
Read more on the artists and find out links to their websites and myspace sites on: www.radiorivendell.com/compilation
A 5/5 compilation!
Spirit of metal - by Irma:
I really like the diversity of this sampler, ranging from straightforward tracks to really dark fantasy music, and from experimental soundscapes to more atmospheric pieces. And “Radio Rivendell compilation” also compiles many lesser known but promising acts.
Sixteen bands are gathered here, with ‘fantasy’ as the unifying theme on this album.
Overall the tracks on this compilation are very good. The stiles mix well.
Five tracks stand out as being the ones I think are the best: Markus Holler"Neblemaerch", Lost Kingdom "In Heaven", Abnocto "Spiritus arma", Sean Beeson "Voice of the seraphim" and Helen Trevilion "The Mermaid part I The Storm".
But really all of the tracks on the album are very good. There are some nice slower, atmospheric pieces, like the contributions by Gargrim the liar"Pavilion" and Volstoj "Bleeding the bishop". Rising Shadows "Dead cold" could be maybe a little bit longer. It never really kicks off even though the song is atmospheric and very beautiful.
Sibelian "Wish fulfilling jewel" is a very cool mix of opera and dark ambient.
I like many of the bands on this compilation and want to hear a lot more of all the artists!
Malignant Records:
I can’t say that a collection of ‘fantasy music’ sounds all that appealing,
but this has some really gorgeous and exceptionally well produced material on it from artists most of you probably aren’t aware of. Sure, some stuff borders a bit on the sappy, new-agey side of things, but there’s also a lot of very cinematic and dramatic material here; swelling string instrumentation, rousing brass, and epic choral accompaniments, with a talent and production level that‘as absolutely top notch. This is a must for this into the Lord of the Rings soundtrack, and should appeal to all those into Arcana, The Protagonist, etc. To top it off, this flows very nicely between tracks and really sounds like one complete soundtrack, as opposed to a hodgepodge of artists thrown together...
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