Aphelion

Album review

Aphelion is the point where a planet or any celestial body is furthest from the sun. While this must be pretty dark place, Amethystium breathes light into the shadows. Amethystium is Oystein Ramfjord, a Norwegian composer who shapes elements of electronica and darkwave, evoking classic Tangerine Dream and Kitaro. This is the follow-up album to ODONATA, Ramfjord's acclaimed debut. Voices figure prominently into each song's construction. Often ethereal and wordless, these sound forms give a great depth and haunting quality to the music, while the only discernible lyrics are found on "Autumn Interlude." Amidst pitch shifting and electronic squall, guest vocalist Joyelle Brandt soars, recalling the powerful collaboration between Sarah McLachlan and Delirium. Gregorian inflections are found on "Shadow to Light" and "Exultation." The Indian-themed "Garden of Sakuntala" is driven by the tightly stretched skins of a tabla. "Elvensong" features the cello of Synove Flobak. With a gem cutter's precision, Ramfjord integrates a dizzying array of sonic embellishments into epic meditations.

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