SEPHIROT
CATHEDRON
ALBUM COLD MEAT INDUSTRY RELEASE: JUNE 11, 1999 REVIEW: JUNE 29, 1999
The Swedish musician Ulf Söderberg has previously released two solo albums
and made music to exhibitions and museums. "Cathedron" is his first album
under the name Sephiroth, and it is also the first album he has released on
Swedish experimental label Cold Meat Industry.
"Cathedron" sees Söderberg combining field recordings from both Cairo and
the Nordic forests with ritualistic, pounding drums and layers of dark,
intimidating sounds. The result is often fascinating, but unfortunately
Söderberg excludes the impressive drums here and there. The rhythmless moments tend
to feel a bit unnecessary - since the wild, ritualistic drumming has such a
menacing power, the music tends to feel empty when it suddenly disappears.
But at times, this music has an overwhelming, pagan feel.
KRISTOFFER NOHEDEN