If I am being totally honest, there’s not a lot to be said about this album that I haven’t already mentioned in my review of this records predecessor ‘Angels of Darkness, Demons Of Light 1‘. There are a few key differences, however, so let’s have a look at those.
This second volume continues on the theme of being a more positive experience to listen to compared to the far bleaker ‘Hex’, and ‘The bees made honey in the lion’s skull’. The album continues with the same lineup from before, most notably the striking cello of Lori Goldstein (as heard on Nirvana’s ‘Unplugged’ recording).
Now, I may be mistaken, but I don’t think part 1 of Angels of Darkness was improvised, this album is. Instead of the deadly slow precision found in most Earth recordings, this album feels a lot looser, even drunken at times. This is in no way a bad thing; luckily for the listener, Earth do improvising particularly well.
‘Multiplicity of Doors’ verges on the old, more melancholic Earth, and ‘The Corascene Dog’ retains the previous albums sugar-coated feel. It is ‘The Rakehell’ that really stands out for me though. It feels like a giant buildup, and just when you’re mind places a distorted guitar bursting through the thick, atmospheric milieu, the song gracefully exits. Perfect Earth.
This is a great album, despite being very similar to its sister release. If you loved part 1, you’ll be wanting to go and add part 2 to your collection.
Ken Eakins
Earth are touring, go and see them:
09-03-2012 Brudenell Social Club Leeds
11-03-2012 Union Chapel London
12-03-2012 The Haunt Brighton
13-03-2012 Patronaat Haarlem Netherlands
14-03-2012 Het Depot Leuven Belgium
15-03-2012 La Maroquinerie Paris France
16-03-2012 Iboat Bordeaux France
17-03-2012 Azkena Bilbao Spain
18-03-2012 El Sol Madrid Spain
19-03-2012 Musichall Barcelona Spain
21-03-2012 L’Epicerie Moderne Lyon France
22-03-2012 Spazio 211 Torino Italy
23-03-2012 The Box Firenze Italy
24-03-2012 Auditorium Del Carmine Parma Italy
25-03-2012 Le Romandie Lausanne Switzerland
26-03-2012 Schlachthof Wiesbaden Germany
28-03-2012 Arena Vienna Austria
29-03-2012 Ut Connewitz Leipzig Germany
30-03-2012 Dobeska Theatre Prague Czech Republic
31-03-2012 Festsaal Kreuzberg Berlin Germany
02-04-2012 Loppen Copenhagen Denmark
03-04-2012 Truckstop Alaska Gothenburg Sweden
04-04-2012 Inferno festival Oslo Norway
05-04-2012 Strand Stockholm Sweden
06-04-2012 Nosturi Helsinki Finland
(all shows with Mount Eerie and Ô Paon)
