Angelic Foe - Mother Of Abominations [Equilibrium Music - 2015]Mother of Abominations, Angelic Foe’s second album, follows the critically acclaimed debut Oppressed by the Heavens released in 2012. Written by Annmari (Arcana and Sophia) and video games sound designer Samuel Lidström, this nine track album sountracks a dramatic and melodious invitation to worlds of mysticism, haunted by otherworldly creatures. This is both bombastic and soothing Neo-Classical music and is enhanced by the beautiful soaring and emotive voice of Annmari, which drifts from a soft and forgiving into a strong commanding tone as it narrates tales sprung out of religious texts and beliefs over a cinematic backdrop.
From the opener, "Daughter Of Comfort", you are presented with a world to explore. The militaristic nature of the drums with the beautifully arranged strings mix perfectly with the vocals. The track is smothered in reverb and opens the album perfectly. As we move into “The Get - the hunter moving across the land - is both self assured and gentle. The medieval quality to this does give you the idea that this could be the unofficial Game Of Thrones soundtrack: in fact the drums are remarkably similar to the theme music to that very show.
Slowing down into the gentle lugubrious march of “All Her Princes Are Gone”, this is paced to reconcile the listeners enjoyment. To be honest, which band doesn’t change temp by track three?! Once again Annmari’s vocals are entwined within the drone and strings.
By track five, "Pestilence And Smither", we are met with the same militaristic drums and a same-iness to track two. In fact from this point forward each track could easily be a re-work of the first three tracks.
I expected so much more from this album, Lidström surely doesn’t just soundtrack medieval games? I would have liked to see some movement beyond the comfort zones of each of these two artists as this is an album I’d expect not an album I’m surprised by, which is a little disappointing.
Don’t get me wrong, this album is not a bad album. It’s beautifully orchestrated music with gorgeous vocals. It’s just that it’s too obvious, no chances have been taken. Classical music was to some degree at the forefront of it’s time, neo-classical should also be there but about 10 steps ahead. This album isn’t. Dead Can Dance laid down the neo-classical yardstick nearly 30 years ago. This album doesn’t actually take you beyond that yardstick.Good, but should be so much better.    Adam Skyes
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