Ulver's "Perdition City"

[SoundMaster]

Can anyone here describe this album?

I have "Themes from William Blake....", and like it, but feel that it drags on at times. Is "Perdition" a better record?

Any thoughts?

 

[Alfonso]

If you think "Themes..." drags for too long, you should stay away from Perdition City, as it mostly expands on the ambient portions of the music on the previous album. The music doesn't sound organic at all, and there's only one song with real vocals/lyrics.

Perdition City is also my favorite Ulver so far.

 

[ChaoticTate]

Yeah, I prefer Perdition City to William Blake. Blake had more industrial influences, and Perdition City goes in a much different direction, hard to explain. All-encompassing soundscapes, jazzy, some electronic rhythms, atmospheric, etc. Not at all heavy, but brilliant nonetheless.

Blake had its moments, but ultimately its ambition couldn't quite be carried through to execution, but still a very interesting piece.

 

[SoundMaster]

Ok, thanks.


I will avoid it then. I love Ulver's new sound, but just feel that the songs (especially the ultra-ambient parts) just drag on waaaaaaayy too much.

Thanks for the info!


(btw, Garm has THE BEST voice in metal, I feel)

 

[Alfonso]

Hmm... I would hate to be the one who drove you away from such an intense musical experience. Perhaps you should just borrow it from someone and decide for yourself!

 

[SoundMaster]

The reviews for this album are fantastic - perhaps I really should give it a try.

Just read this piece from Amazon.com
"Lost In Moments", deceptively simple beats open and then give way to piano and sultry saxophone with G's half-audible lament draped over top. Beats and sax then do a tipsy dance, lulling you furthur into the city's centre. Towards the end of the track, ambience dies down to reveal the sounds of a metropolis still seething at night, radios blasting from passing cars and all, then....rapture.
This is more than just a trip-hop record (and it's not even really trip-hop), it really is a film poured into an album as a work of art. This will have you changing your breathing to match the speed at which it breathes. And make no mistake, "Perdition City" definately breathes."

This clearly makes me burn to hear it!

 

[SoundMaster]

Exactly how many of the tunes on it actually have true singing?


Are most of the songs instrumentals, or are there 'whispers', or 'electronically treated' voices? (I hate "electronic" vocals!)

 

[Demonspell]

Nowhere Catastrophe, second part of Porn Piece and that's about it. Musically, it's the Atom Heart Mother of 2001. I'm only saying that because I'm listening to side one of that album right now. Or maybe because they are both equally avant garde for their time.

 

[Alfonso]

There's also some hisses on "Lost in Moments", narration on "Dead City Centres" and basso profundo spoken vocals on "We Are the Dead". Not processed at all!

 

[yourdeadgroom]

Speaking as someone who doesn't really listen to anything that isn't metal, and in particular dislikes techno, and music that isn't guitar driven, Perdition City is bloody good! I still rate 'Themes' above it (above most things actually, it's in my top 5 of all time), but I've found all of Ulvers electrionic albums to be worthwhile. Garm not singing so much is a let down, but it's still really good.

 

[Stinkfist]

When I first heard it, I hated it, but it's really grown on me.

 

[Rosa Negra Imortal]

Try Cocteau Twins - "Treasures" and Kraftwerk - "Electric Cafe"

 

[blakmetalemp]

Everyone should have this cd. The lack of Garms vocals makes what vocals are there even better IMO. The sax's rule, plenty of jazzy beats and everything moves and changes enough so as not to drag on.

 

[Tommy-G]

I was so inspired by the sheer incredible ambience and imagery put forth by Ulver's "Perdition City" that I based a whole series of 10 paintings on it, that are now hanging in an art gallery. The people who view them have no idea they're about said album, but that's alright. The vocals on this album are perfectly placed. They're not overdominant, nor are they completely absent. In my eyes, I can't even describe this album with words - it's one of those "life changing" discs. My opinion? Don't think about buying it. Just buy it.

 

[Sóti]

tom hanks would like it

 

[samoniac]

I'm not into Marriage of H&H, but Peridition City is a killer. I fell in love with it in the very first time I listened to it and it still sounds fresh to me. One of the best albums I've ever heard, and will ever hear.

 

[random_phil]

Perdition City is awesome! The most relaxing album I've ever heard, and I've heard many relaxing albums.

 

[ProgMetalFan]

I too have been interested in hearing this album... your words have sold me on it...

 

[Claire's Horror]

love it. dark urban ambiental trip-hop with some classical jazz thrown in between. simply a work of genius.

 

[Alfonso]

It does, since Ulver started touching ambient music lightly on Themes, and PC is an almost full foray into said genre.

Originally posted by Smekermann


Perdition City is NOTHING like Themes. It doesn't expand on ANYTHING from Themes.