HYMN TO THE IMMORTAL WIND

There's been a real buzz about this album and especially about how beautiful it is. There is about a 26 person Chamber orchestra that MONO has collaborated with on this record. There's 9 cellos, 9 violins, 5 violas and 2 flutes if I counted right. Well you get the picture, so yes strings dominate the sound much of the time. MONO collaborated with WORLD'S END GIRLFRIEND on the "Palmless Prayer-Mass Murder" album which was dominated with violins, so that may have inspired them to take it one step further and hire a whole orchestra for this album. I applaud them as well for the very detailed story that begins with "Ashes In The Snow" and continues with each song title. It really makes the instrumental music even more meaningful and certainly those who don't have the lyrics are missing out on an important part of "Hymn To The Immortal Wind". In fact the lyrics have a big impact on my feelings towards this album.

"Ashes in The Snow" opens quietly and softly, it's almost as if you can hear the winter wind blowing.The sound becomes fuller as the Post-Rock styled guitars come in. It's even fuller a minute later. Drums 4 minutes in then it settles back. It stays this way as she sleeps. Drums 7 1/2 minutes in as it builds to a full and dramatic sound. Nice. "Burial At Sea" is mellow to start out. Post-Rock styled guitars 2 minutes in are joined by drums. It settles 3 1/2 minutes in to a melancholic mood. It starts to build then suddenly it settles beautifully 5 1/2 minutes in. Strings a minute later. It's building again and kicks in before 8 1/2 minutes."Two frail bodies teetered along the highest cliff by the sea that night.Three steps from the edge, she wondered what waited on the other side of the black waters.Two steps away, he studied her face, vowing to remember. On their last step, their eyes locked, a silent reminder of their promise. Leaving behind any fears, hand in hand they jumped, a leap of faith into the cold unwelcomed waves below".

Sadness follows with strings and slowly played piano on "Silent Fight, Sleeping Dawn". "For the first time they felt bigger than the sea, bigger than the earth. Lifted and safely tucked under the gentle wing of the wind, they dove through the clouds with their eyes closed and mouths open in joy... "Carry us until we awake", they prayed". "Pure As Snow (Trails Of The Winter Storm)" opens with gentle guitar and cymbals. It's building as strings and drums join in. Gulp. Just gorgeous. It settles 4 1/2 minutes in and then kicks in after 6 1/2 minutes. Great sound 8 1/2 minutes in. Emotion. "Follow The Map" opens with strings and piano with the strings eventually becoming very prominant. Beautiful. "The Battle To Heaven" opens with some atmosphere as guitar comes in gently. It's starting to build as drums join in as well. Here we go after 4 minutes ! It settles before 6 minutes before building once again. Great song ! "Everlasting Light" opens with strings as piano joins in. Guitar follows as the sound builds until it bursts after 6 minutes and stays full to the end. "Hand in hand, they walk across their bridge into a tunnel of pure light without an end in sight".

Music can be so powerful, so emotional, and it has the ability to take us out of our everyday lives to a special place. MONO have accomplished this with "Hymn To The Immortal Wind".