MYTHOS FRAGMENTS / PAX EPHEMERA

Back when I first discovered ProgArchives in 2007, The Pax Cecelia had just released their excellent second album, Blessed Are The Bonds. They created quite a splash with their neoclassical post-metal, a gorgeously brooding, dark-sheened aural artifact that our own Conor Fynes described as "somewhat like a cross between Isis and Godspeed You! Black Emperor." It reminded me of Toby Driver projects. I think many of us who reviewed the album were positively anxious to see where they would go next. We would wait and wait. Except for Kent Fairman Wilson's Ode and Elegy solo project, it was a moment of anticipation that never came. Then in the summer of 2022, they plundered the vaults and gave us this collection, which I'll first let them describe in their own words:

"This is a collection of unreleased (and mostly unfinished) music from between 2007-2012, and one track from 2004. The first three tracks are from the presumptive 'Mythos' project. And the following "fragments" consist of sketches and jam sessions, so you can hear some of the directions we were pulled in after completing 'Blessed are the Bonds'. Unrefined, deep cuts for the curious listener." [The Pax Cecelia]

There are actually four parts to this sprawling and confusing track list. Part 1 (tracks 1-3) is a project that was called "Mythos," and it was never completed. The songs were recorded in 2011-12 and are of a good production quality. It starts off in dramatic cinematic fashion, building into a crescendo before falling into track two's quiet section adorned with strings. We then get haunting female vocals as the band builds again. Track three ends the "Mythos" part with a lovely piano solo and effects. Part 2 (track 4) is a piece called "In Six Brief Movements." This is an 11-minute chamber piece recorded in 2012 and also finished, production-wise. It's a gorgeous mix of cello, violin, and piano that was made to collaborate with a dance/performance piece called "Bread and Wine." (To make things even more confusing, tracks 1-4 actually were released previously in 2014 as Mythos Fragments, but there's no need to obtain that because they are released again here along with everything that follows in the next paragraph. Are you confused yet?)

Part 3 (tracks 5-15) is pre-titled with the word "fragment," (not to be confused with the "Mythos" fragments noted above) and these would be the "unrefined deep cuts" that the band refers to above. They were recorded between 2007 and 2012, and I believe they were meant to be preparatory for the next studio album, which was never made, as well as some unfinished/unreleased pieces from "Mythos." (Now I know you're confused, but worry not.) These are basically outlines and rehearsals captured live in the practice space setting. They are rough and they don't have great sound quality, production-wise, but it's fascinating to hear what potential was indeed there for a new album. Some are very chill and moody, mixing strings and acoustic guitar such as on "Atelis and Apurna." Others are rowdier jamming that recall the heavier parts of Blessed. These are absolutely embryonic if not improvisational. You can hear that they are working to turn ideas into a more realized form, and you're given a front-row seat inside the practice space with them.

Part 4 would be track 16, "Empathy," and this was just a very early song recorded in 2004. It's soft and meditative and humble compared to the majesty of Blessed Are The Bonds, but it actually works beautifully as a closer here, allowing the listener to decompress after the exhausting "Fragments" jams. As a listener, I'm really conflicted over this release. It is wonderful that they opened their vaults and made all these goodies available for their fans. At the same time, it is tragic that we never got that follow-up to Blessed in its finished form with proper presentation. Because I think it would have been amazing. Maybe someday they'll surprise us with an all-new studio release. One can hope.