Atargatis - Wasteland
CD Info
2006
Massacre Records
11 Tracks
English Lyrics
They say at some point you always return to your roots. Maybe that’s true, at least it may be in my case. I grew up in a musical family of sorts, music was always around and it’s stayed with me in one form or another all my life. My father is a baritone. Sang with barbershop quartets among other things. My mother was into opera; we had it on all the time growing up. My aunt was a lovely redhead who sang, and recorded with, some pretty famous Big Band groups from the Midwest during the 30s and 40s, probably before your time but she was well known during that time. She’s always been a favorite of mine, hearing her sing is a rite of passage in our family; even in her 90s she is captivating. And what we have here, with Atargatis, is something of a current day interpretation of the Marion Francis sound of that mid 20th century. . only in a European Gothic Dark Metal Format. I don’t think they were doing much Gothic metal back in the 40s, too busy with World War II and other not so nice experiences. But, for me, the similarities exist, and in a very positive way.
Atargatis is a German band fronted by a lovely, dynamic little redhead, one Stephanie Luzie. The release being reviewed here, Wasteland, is a 2007 release, one of 5 major releases by the group. Luzie, as you may be aware, also sings with the Austrian band Darkwell. Her voice is recognizable to most people who appreciate this music, and for good reason. It is hard to miss; because for a little lady, this gal puts out some serious sound. I’m not aware of her doing opera but the sound clearly reflects that type of style and classical capability. But, Atargatis is more than just a little redhead, and this album is a technical delight for aficionados of the Gothic Metal genre.
It’s often interesting to understand where these European groups come up with the names for their bands. In this case, Atargatis stems from the name of the Syrian goddess of fertility and motherhood. No idea where they got that one. However, Atargatis has been around since the later half of the 1990s, although a number of musicians have passed through the doors during that period. The lineup here includes Stephanie Luzie – Vocals, Lord Lornhold - Bass & Vocals, Tialupa – Violin, Shadrak – Drums, and Maximilian Schulz – Guitar. It’s also interesting to comment on who’s involved in the production, especially since the names include some formidable musicians: Stefan Hertrich - vocals (Darkseed), and Moritz Neuner - percussions, treble flute (Leaves' Eyes, Atrocity, Darkwell). Another interesting name that crops up is Alexander Krull who was involved in mixing the CD. You may recall Krull as a member of Atrocity and Leaves Eyes and a producer of note who has worked with numerous Western European bands.
If you spend any time listening to the Sonic Cathedral Online Radio Outlet, you have heard any number of Atargatis titles, several from this CD. And for good reason, they are truly representative of the sound presented from that outlet. It’s a mixture of a strong feminine vox, outstanding progressive symphonic background music delivered through a metal framework and even including the occasional choir. And it all works on this CD. . . about as well as it can. The lyrics are generally a mix of gothic and fantasy, the stories range from tales of gothic doom to sorrowful laments, all presented within a framework of strong driving metal over the beautiful voice of Stephanie Luzie.
It’s hard to identify the strongest titles on this production; they are all pretty good. After all, Stephanie’s voice is pretty consistent, consistently strong. However, there are several that receive significant airtime and those may be viewed as somewhat more appealing. Selina (Widow of the Moon) is generally viewed as one of the most popular Atargatis titles. The sound is pure Atargatis, heavy guitar riffs, a solid drum line and the front work by Luzie that is the signature of the band’s sound. She sings:
Tormented souls mark her rise.
For as they mold through a dark, lonely sigh
Into a glow
Who's not enchanted by the trembling light,
Selina's moon is sending to the earth?
See her, walk side by side,
the widow leads you into the night.
Who's not enchanted by the fateful sound,
Her voice gets through your innermost part.
See her, walk side by side,
the widow leads you into the night.
Feel no warmth in her veins,
only the lust for your life beats in her heart.
Selina is symphonic gothic at it’s best; every component shines, including a male vocal from vocalist Lord Lornhold. Keyboards produce a solid orchestration while guitars drive the song forward over the vocals of Luzie. And those guitars are memorable, driving before and after the vocals, intertwining the sound into a coherent entity.
Atargatis does the occasional ballad as well, although their version of ballad is not exactly the same as Barry Manilow. The Crystallic Ascension is one of these. It begins with a violin line over drums, with the rest of the musicians joining in over time, followed by Luzie. As the guitars begin to crash, Luzie sings:
The tears the heaven cries
Drop down to the earth
And take with them a spark of life!
While they are falling,
they melt into the sea,
where his mortal body lies.
"Ascend and spread your wings
to find back to the cheerful
heart that you belong to.
Ascend and you will feel the glory,
as now your tears of life
pour into the sea
The violin is an integral part of this title; it leads into some crushing guitar work that serves as a focus for the Luzie vocals. And the final product is mesmerizing. Luzie can take a gothic instrumental background to a different level, her voice has a capability beyond the initial sound, it blends and enhances those sounds that accompany it, delivering a holistic that is far beyond the individual components.
The CD concludes with a duet between Lord Lornhold and Luzie titled Angels Crying. The work begins with a slow symphonic tone that leads into the guitars. Lord Lornhold doesn’t often do the traditional grunting often found on Gothic work, but it comes close here. However, the juxtaposition of his sound with Luzie’s beautiful vocals give the song a different feel and tone.
Music has a different effect on everyone; it’s an individual reaction to the presentation of the artists. For me, there is that "take back" to another beautiful redhead, who sang her songs to the Big Bands of the 40s. But, anyone who appreciates a vocalist of substance will appreciate this work, because it is the sound of Stephanie Luzie that drives Atargatis. And the rest the sound is equally strong Gothic metal, not exactly the 40s but contemporary in just the same way. Big Band in a Gothic metal format.
9 / 10
