A TERRIBLE BEAUTY IS BORN

If your into Avant music you really need to check out this Swedish band. They released three studio albums and this is their second from 1990. It clocks in at under 46 minutes over the 16 tracks. Interesting that Johan Hedren is part of this trio as he was in the amazing band KULTIVATOR before this playing keyboards. We get English vocals and there are two styles of vocals really, one that's deep and Gothic sounding and the other that is higher pitched and fragile. The lyrics were for the most part taken from Shakespeare and Aiskylos. Besides the usual instruments we get clavinet and strings and I like how the guitar, bass, clavinet and drums create the rhythm here. I did think of PLASTIC PEOPLE OF THE UNIVERSE in the way the strings and the strummed guitar are used to create the rhythm.

"Shelter" has strummed guitar as the vocals join in with the drums not far behind. Strings join in around 2 minutes making some noise. "Screen Icon" is a heavy tune with higher pitched vocals over top. "A Testimony" is a top five and it's quiet to start before an Avant soundscape arrives with vocals where the instruments don't seem to be on the same page(haha). This is all replaced by a melodic and catchy rhythm after 1 1/2 minutes. Strings only before 3 minutes as the fragile vocals return. "The Face Defaced" has a powerful sound with vocals to match as he almost speaks the lyrics with passion. A devastating sound after a minute. Lots of suspense and I like the percussion late. A top five.

I like the way "Terrible Mildness Of The Morning" starts as it has some interesting sounds that come and go. Vocals before a minute. "A Criminal View From Beyond" has more deep sounds as Avant vocals join in. "The Fire Of Time" is a top five as the rhythm of sounds builds from the start. Vocals before a minute and it sounds like fuzzed out keys 3 minutes in. "The Hearse" is my favourite. I just like how Gothic this sounds with the vocals and dark backdrop. Keys before 1 1/2 minutes.

"Repeating Icon" has these almost GENESIS-like keys that pulse(what?!). Drums, bass and vocals help out and strings arrive after a minute. "Modern Man" is a top five with that catchy rhythm and vocals. I like the drumming a lot here as well as the lyrics. Check out the instrumental work late to end it. So good! "Where Angels Fear To Tread" is 1 1/2 minutes of electronic-like sounds and more as it builds. Cool stuff. "Not Yet Crumbled" is another short track and it's catchy with vocals, heavy too. An experimental ending to this one.

"III Exerpt" opens with drums and more as it builds. Great sound! Almost spoken vocals join in before a minute. Lots of percussion after 2 minutes when the vocals stop. "The Furies" has such an interesting soundscape as most of these songs have. Some vocal melodies as well. "The Wheels" has a mid-paced rhythm with fragile vocals. Again I'm impressed at how the guitar and strings are part of the rhythm. "The Endless Laughter" ends it with intricate sounds as fragile vocals join in. When the vocals stop it becomes dark and haunting to the end.

A very consistent album that keeps me intertested and intrigued every time I spin it. That adventerous spirit is here in spades. Just a great album that Avant fans need to hear.