Our Review
Yes, it is a Dark Noël that we are treated to by Faith and the Muse--William Faith and Monica Richards. I ask for different and they give me different! There are a number of ways to create Christmas novelty, but then comes William and Monica, and I say to myself "Who knew?"
This CD could have been a lot darker than it actually is. It is a wonderful Christmas record, bound in a gothic shroud. A frighteningly realistic tale told in the horror genre, but telling the Christmas story we all know and love.
The music spans genres--rock, Celtic, new age, electronica--I don't yet know which page you will find it on. While it might be considered dark by some, the emotion I feel is awe, in the original sense of the word: must look away, but cannot look awayé
I'm going out on a limb here: Monica--please come over and sing Welcome Christmas. You sing it so beautifully, it brings tears to my eyes!
Perhaps this record isn't for everyone. But it's for me! I plan to play the hell out of Excelsis... by candlelight!
--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 1998)
No More
Various Artists
Excelsis: A Dark Noel
Order from Amazon
Artist site
Label: Projekt
Length: 61 minutes
Genre: Rock
Release: 1995
Track List
| Song Title | Artist |
|---|---|
| Carol of the Bells | Arcanta |
| Welcome Christmas | Love Spirals Downwards |
| Oh Come All Ye Faithful | FuchiKachis Ethu |
| Carol of the Bells | This Ascension |
| O Come Emmanuel | Area |
| The First Nöel | Thanatos |
| Jingle Bells (Snowblower) | Lovesliescrushing |
| What Child is This? | Balderas & Osborn |
| Chanukkah, Oh Chanukkah | black tape for a blue girl |
| The Little Drummer Boy | Sorrow |
| We Three Kings | Lycia/The Unquiet Void |
| O Holy Night | Eva O |
| A Winter Wassail | Faith and the Muse |
| Stille Nacht (g)RAVE remix | Autopsia |
| Silent Night | Attrition |