Obiymy Doschu: Elehia

Based on the doomy folk music performed by this Ukrainian band and the forlorn cover of its debut CD, Elehia, you'd expect the vocals to be sung by a female — most likely one with operatic tendencies. But Obiymy Doschu surprises with the deep and dramatic voice of Volodymyr Agafonkin, who brings a different degree of mournfulness to these nine songs with translated titles such as "The Dead Tree and The Wind," "The Withered Flowers of Her Soul" and "Fading Autumn." This is not a feel-good album.

But it is an exceptional album, in that it precisely captures how the collision of progressive rock, doom metal, and classical and folk music should sound. In addition to traditional rock instruments, Obiymy Doschu makes savvy use of a crying piano, acoustic guitar, viola, recorder and violin to subtly enhance the band's often sparse but epic soundscapes. Unfortunately, Agafonkin's native-tongue lyrics and the monotonous pace and mournful emotion of Elehia create weary listening by the midway point.

Judge Elehia for yourself; it is available for free on the band's website.

Track Listing:
1) Pid Hmaramy (Under Clouds)
2) Mertve Dervo i Viter (The Dead Tree and The Wind)
3) Zorenko Moya (My Little Star)
4) Yiyi Dushi Zivyali Kvity (The Withered Flowers of Her Soul)
5) Zghasayucha Osin (Fading Autumn)
6) Zymova Elehia (Winter Elegy)
7) Samotni Nochi (Lonely Nights)
8) Dorohoyu Vichnosti (On the Way of Eternity)
9) Svitanok (Sunrise) (Bonus Track)

Added: August 31st 2011
Reviewer: Michael Popke
Score:
Related Link: Official Obiymy Doschu Website
Hits: 3692
Language: english

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