OF WIND AND WEEPING

"Of Wind and Weeping" is the debut full-length studio album by Swiss black metal act Mirrorthrone. The album was released through Red Stream, Inc. in May 2003. Mirrorthrone is a one-man act consisting of Vladimir Cochet who handles vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards and drum programming. The material on the album was recorded at Vladimir Cochet´s home between 2001 and 2003. Most of the tracks (6 out of 8) were released on the "Promo December 2002" promo, which was limited to 100 copies and only distributed to labels. Vladimir Cochet also releases albums under the Weeping Birth and Unholy Matrimony monickers.

The music on the album is symphonic and quite epic black metal. The song structures are progressive with multible sections. The music is synth heavy and often the synths emulate a classical orchestra (albeit with a more synthetic sound). There is generally a very strong influence from classical music on the album. It´s obvious that Vladimir Cochet is a very talented composer and musician and he handles both clean and raspy singing in great style and in addition to that he also handles both bass, guitar and keyboards on a pretty high level. Therefore it´s a bit of a shame that his drum programming isn´t up to par with the rest of the quality elements on "Of Wind and Weeping". I can live with the programming style, which is pretty decent, but I can´t live with the thin, artificial and soulless drum sound on the album. When I try and block out the drums the music sounds pretty good even though it´s more ambient in style, but then the out of place and rather awful sounding drums return and I´m left with a feeling that one element destroys my listening experience.

So the fact that I still want to hand out a 3 star rating to an album where one of the instruments really distract me, should be a testimony to how well composed and well performed the rest of the album is. I´m intrigued and at times impressed but not fully content.