Review by Rachel Jablonski
As the title of their latest album suggests, the Norwegian duo called Peccatum have shaped a musical portrayal of moments lost in reverie. The passive-aggressive nature of their third full length release uses dark tone, the fading in and out of sound, and a mix of metal, electronic, and contemporary elements to create a contemplative and lulling compilation. The overall calming temperament dominating Lost in Reverie somehow shines through a jumble of serene and downright irritating sounds. Despite a love/hate relationship with the music, the listener is captured by the fusion of storytelling guitar pieces, instrument uneasiness, and great variety in song style.
“Desolate Ever After” begins with a piercing sound fading in and out among unrecognizable whispers. The faded tones behind the screech of strings seem to signify something is approaching; the high pitched sounds emulate a feeling of nervousness. Unrecognizable grumbles and whispers emerge along with buzzing sounds. The intro resides for quite a good chunk of the 8 minute and 26 second song. The listener is both annoyed and amused through this segment and will be quite relieved when the gentleness of a woman’s voice slips in accompanied by a piano part. The woman’s voice is both raspy and soft and then the singing ceases. Heavy music breaks in along with sound notions of heavy machinery at work. The rhythmic patterns are comforting despite the rather intimidating change in mood with doomful guitars and grumbling male vocals. This track has many diverse parts, which work well together as they play with the listener’s emotions.
Throughout the album the main and maybe only musical consistency is in the storytelling ability of the guitar work. Ranging from rather soft acoustic guitars to commanding electric riffs, the listener is entranced and flows with the tone and tempo changes. Female vocals, typically during the soft parts of songs, and male vocals, typically during the heavy parts, parallel these changes as well. The album has an underlying depressed feel and yet it also possesses a gentle beauty.
I’m amazed at the power Lost in Reverie has had over me. The album is intriguing, sporadic, calming, and though it annoys me to death at times, I just can’t stop listening!