Amethystium – Isabliss

Amethystium – Isabliss
MP3 @ 320 Kbps | 1:19:14 min | 2008 | 133 MB | 10% Recovery Record

Nearly four years passed between Amethystium’s last album “Evermind” and the release of Ramsfjord’s latest release “Isabliss”. Though it was certainly a while between including the release of a retrospective “Emblem”, “Isabliss” is a marvelous evolution of sound from the past while maintaining much of the spirit of the old. “Isabliss” is comparison has a much more of a monochromic feel, like having a much grayer, more wintry atmosphere. Even some of the songs have a different melodic structure. The album cover artwork perfectly portrays the mood of the album in my opinion: Dark, gray, yet also entrancing and mesmerizing.

Some of the songs like “Treasure”, “Anthemossa”, and “Silken Twine” are ideal tributes to the atmospherics of their debut album “Odonata”. Other songs like “A Small Adventure”, “La Pluie”, and the Arctic “Frosty Morning Bliss” have a far chillier atmosphere. Even more tracks have distinctly creepy undertones such as “Silken Twine” with it’s unique change in melody towards the end.

Overall, “Isabliss” is a welcome and not overdue return for Amethystium. Though some may think “what took you so long?” after the long break after “Evermind”,Amethystium is taking it’s time and the end result is yet another fantastic addition to their musical catalog and a new chapter in their history.

Amethystium – Emblem (Selected Pieces)

Amethystium – Emblem (Selected Pieces)
MP3 @ 256 Kbps VBR| 1:19:14 min | 2006 | 133 MB | 10% Recovery Record

From time to time, an artist/project comes along that defies easy categorization, that pushes boundaries, that crosses lines and yet strangely remains focused and very lucid in terms of direction and feel.

Norway’s Oystein Ramfjord has captured that certain magic and managed to; at a very young age create a project that is as mystical as it is melodic. The project, which turned into a 3 record trilogy was to be called Amethystium. Ramfjords vision was way beyond his years – as he created the entire first record during his teen years from age 16-18, and seeing it released on a national scale by the time he was 19. The record immediately gathered a fanatical and some would consider, a slightly left of center fan base. Images of Fairies, Dragonfly’s, and Tolkienesque’ themes were strewn throughout the arrangements and created a sort of Lord of the Rings like soundscape. The first three albums, Odonata, Aphelion, and most recently – Evermind came to be known as the Dragonfly Trilogy, named after the recurring themes in the music and the images of a Dragonfly’s journey and appearances on artwork.

Emblem (selected pieces) is a retrospective of, and more importantly a carefully chosen collection of Ramfjords most meaningful and inspired moments from each record. The songs are in no particular order in terms of time tables, or release dates, but rather, were put together to try and connect the three records and more or less create a beginning, middle and end of a musical story.

With a brand new album of new music slated for early 2007, Oystein wanted to put this collection out as a sort of changing of the guard – or passing of the torch musically. His plans for future records are not to deviate from what has worked, but to put this chapter of his work behind him. Specifically created as a trilogy this collection brings together the most personally meaningful tracks he’s recorded to date. * As a primer for his new work in 2007, Oystein has enlisted the vocal talents of Lee Nisbet for a new song (which will be a focus track for promo) to kick off his slightly altered direction.

Equal parts Gothic, Ambient, Moody, and Graceful – Amethystium remains a singular and unique musical vision with virtually no peers.

Amethystium – Evermind

Amethystium – Evermind
MP3 @ 320 Kbps | 52:46 min | 2004 | 132 MB | 10% Recovery Record

While every bit of what makes Amethystium music Amethystium is throbbing through this elite offering of chilled electronica, one can detect a little evolution and experimentation with some new sound. Even in the midst of what can now be safely classed as classic Amethystium, one notices different flavors being slowly injected into the mix. As usual, the melodies are [insert synonym of choice for overused adjective “lush”], full-bodied, enveloping. The beats are laid back but gripping and the ambiance is, well, stunning. Amethystium’s music is so rotund and encompassing, so three-dimensional, it’s easy to see why the man behind the music, Oystein Ramfjord, said Amethystium is about “creating and exploring some kind of ‘musical fantasy world’ …” Because that’s exactly what it is for the listener. One can place one’s self between headphones and, in the end, be placing one’s self in a wormhole that transports you off to a world of euphoria and utter beauty, populated with gentle creatures not of this earth. Actually, euphoria and utter beauty are maybe the perfect words to describe Amethystium’s music, especially on the new release, Evermind.

Amethystium – Aphelion

Amethystium – Aphelion
MP3 @ 320 Kbps | 58:56 min | 2003 | 148 MB | 10% Recovery Record

Aphelion is the point where the earth is furthest from the sun, and Amethystium creates a suitably twilight world of pastoral fantasy. For his second outing as Amethystium, Norwegian keyboardist/ composer Øystein Ramfjord creates a compelling synthesis of Kitaro-esque melodies, Enigma-hued chants, Delirium-like moods, and just enough Deep Forest ethnic touches to be exotic. Anchoring them to downtempo electronica and lush synthesizer orchestrations, Ramsfjord employs resolutely analog sounds along with the post-modern keyboardist’s cut-and-paste sampling arsenal where Gothic choirs, Chinese flutes, and Indian tablas digitally converge in a virtual orchestra. With titles like “Shadow to Light,” “Elvensong,” and “Ad Astra,” listeners might expect Amethystium’s themes to be heroic and sweeping – which they are on an album that seems to elevate from the speakers.

Amethystium – Odonata

Amethystium – Odonata
MP3 @ 320 Kbps | 1:00:58 min | 2001 | 152 MB | 10% Recovery Record

Oystein Ramfjord’s project, Amethystium, creates ethereal, mysterious aural impressions on his debut release, Odonata. Although this album officially came out on August 14, 2001, it had already achieved significant popularity and airplay at his site on http://www.mp3.com, where it has been extremely well-received in both the new age and electronica genres. As the offerings from this talented Norwegian composer tend to be melodious and relaxing, and have a pleasant variety of timbres and cadences which maintain listeners’ interest, their attraction is quite understandable. “Opaque” could be music for submariners, with its echoing sonar tones. “Enchantment” has a Middle Eastern influence, while “Avalon” offers delicate crystalline chimes. “Arcane Voices” includes Gregorian chanting interwoven with percussion. Ethnic influences can also be heard in the Sanskrit vocalizations on “Opaque” and the Buddhist chanting of the opening to “Lhasa.” Yet, all these diverse influences are melded together into a harmonious whole that rings delightfully to the ear. In all, this is an elegant album, and its ambient soundscapes will draw many casual listeners into becoming Amethystium fans. Definitely recommended.