Lady Morphia, the band centered around Nick and Chris Nedzynski, both from England, haven't been that productive over their fourteen years making music together, but usually when they do release something it is of great quality. The bands last release was back in 2000, and it has taken six years for this their sophomore album to be released, but the band was not completely silent as they did record a number of compilation tracks and also Nick collaborated with Werkraum on their, ‘Kristalle’ MCD. So obviously the band is a bit overdue, but ‘Essence And Infinity’ has definitely been deliverying since its release four years ago.
If your not familiar with Lady Morphia they had in the past normally played a mix between dark folk and ambient music, but on Essence they’ve added a bit more to their repertoire. Much to my surprise and probably the surprise of fans that heard their older work is that on this new album there are some songs that are in a hard rock almost metal sounding vein. For me they reminded me of Ostara and Nick’s voice even sounded similar to Richard Leviathan’s, but where nowadays Ostara mixes electronics in their harder edge rock music, Lady Morphia adds classical elements. Another surprise for me was, ‘Sterbende Landschaft,’ which, well, frankly could have passed as a Von Thronstahl song. It’s got the usual military percussion, epic orchestral keyboards and sternly spoken vocals in German. ‘A Faustian Summer’ is another standout surprise since it’s just a short melancholic piano ballad. Besides the ambient opener, ‘Im Schoß Der Welt,’ the additional rocking song called, ‘Carmen Ad Occidentem,’ and another Von Thronstahl styled piece titled ‘Sturmjahre,’ the remaining songs are in a typical Death in June-ish neo folk style.
I happen to really like the bands neo folk style above all other styles on this album and while it is in the best World Serpent tradition it still doesn’t effect my appreciation for them. Most of the songs feature light acoustic guitars, keyboards, trumpets, violins and backing female vocals, so it shouldn’t be too hard to form an idea in your head as to what they sound like. A difference however is where guys like Douglas Pearce and Tony Wakeford don’t exactly have the best singing ability I find that Nick’s voice is way above average and is pleasing to hear.
Essence And Infinity is indeed an enjoyable record, but I feel that the harder rocking songs may divide the fans among this band a bit. I say this only because I’ve come across some neo folk listeners who hate metal and rock music with a burning passion. However fortunately I love both and the mix of neo folk, ambient, rock/metal and martial symphonic is a near perfect concoction for me. Definitely worth checking out, especially if you desire a bit more diversity then what the usual neo folk band brings to the table.
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