STELLA SPLENDENS

The first album by UK medieval folk group SERPENTYNE was cast as MAGGIE-BETH SAND AND SERPENTYNE, which followed on from an earlier incarnation, MAGGIE SAND and SANDRAGON. This is well played but somewhat emotionally lacking acoustic music with a preference for ancient even obsolete instrumentation and Latin lyrics. It's a bit like BLACKMORE's NIGHT without the commercial savvy, electric guitar (or indeed even the bright acoustic guitar), or familiar tune recognition. Comparisons to the lesser, consciously ancient output of DEAD CAN DANCE are also valid.

While this is music for a certain mood, it's also rather self limiting in terms of dynamism and indeed its potential audience. As it turned out, SERPENTYNE evolved from disk to disk, so either they sensed this road to be a developmental dead end or they randomly discovered divergent and more expressive routes. I would not start here with an exploration of this band unless the description appeals to you, but instead begin with their follow up, the far more compelling and indeed progressive "Myths and Muses". 2.5 stars rounded down.