Our Review
I am not sure how I missed the Excelsis: Box Set when it came out in 2005, because I am a fan of the series. In the true spirit of popular Christmas music, the Excelsis series introduced me to a musical genre I would otherwise not have heard. In fact, Excelsis: A Dark Noel was a wake-up call for me and was among the first few CDs reviewed on this site.
Although it is shorter than its predecessors, Excelsis 3: A Prelude, the newest volume of this box set, is even more accessible than its two predecessors in the set. I particularly enjoyed the opener, Aspen Glow, a John Denver tune, performed with downtempo plaintiveness by Lovespirals. I also enjoyed the exquisite vocal harmonies of Mirabilis Riu Riu Chiu. Latin singing is mostly lost in translation for me, but on this song it almost sounded like Spanish, and I am a great lover of songs sung is Spanish.
Excelsis 3: A Prelude is a worthwhile CD on its own merits, even at its (24 minute) EP length. But as part of a 3-volume set, it really can't be beat. This boxed set is a tremendous bargain and a great way to get a complete and wonderful set of darkwave holiday classics.
--RIchard Banks
(Reviewed in 2007)
More
From the promotional materials:
This special slimted edition release features two full-length cds plus a never-befrore-in-stores maxi-cd.
1995's Excelsis v.1 - a dark noel has consistently been a holiday favorite; the follow-up 1999's Excelsis v.2 - a winter's song, quickly brought joy to many more fans of darkwave music. Now we've added the Excelsis v. 3 - a prelude maxi-CD to create a trilogy of dark holiday releases. To make it even more special, we have packaged the three of them in a beautiful tuck box (it is open on the right side, so the CDs easily slide in and out). The Excelsis Box makes the perfect holiday gift! Happy Holidays from Projekt!
Various Artists
Excelsis,
Box Set
(3 CDs)
Order from Amazon
Artist site
Label: Projekt
Length: 144 minutes
Genre: Gothic
Release: 2005
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 |
Track List, Volume 2
| Song Title | Artist |
|---|---|
| Gaudete, Gaudete | El Duende |
| We Three Kings | Rhea's Obsession with Athan Maroulis |
| The Christmas Song | London After Midnight |
| Happy Xmas (War Is Over) | The Cruxshadows |
| Lord Of The Dance | Unto Ashes |
| Coventry Carol | The Machine In The Garden |
| Silver And Gold | Faith & Disease |
| The True Present | Lynn Canfield |
| Nerotai Hazarurim (Little Candles) | Sofia Run |
| In The Bleak Midwinter | Siddal |
| Silent Night | Thanatos |
| What Child Is This? | Julia Kent |
| Huron Indian Carol | Rhea's Obsession |
| O LIttle Town Of Bethlehem | Lycia |
| I Believe In Father Christmas | Huma Drama |
Track List, Volume 3
| Song Title | Artist |
|---|---|
| Aspen Glow | Lovespirals |
| Edelweiss | Lynn Canfield |
| Let The Reindeer Live On My Roof | Audra |
| Blue Christmas | Lowsunday |
| Angels We Have Heard On High | Frolic |
| Silver And Gold (alternate version) | Faith & Disease |
| Riu Riu Chiu | Mirabilis |
| Krampusnacht (for Krampus, the Christmas Demon) | Unto Ashes |
| Let Your Little Sister Pet The Kitty Too | Lynn Canfield |