I remember her, stepping, slowly, from the jagged frame. Her skin white, her eyes cold, her thoughts eternal. She never spoke again.
But when surrounded by the dark, she carved colours with her shrieks.
“But I don’t want to go among mad people,"
"Oh, you can’t help that, we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad."
"How do you know I’m mad?”
"You must be, or you wouldn’t have come here.”
Embraced by pine and storms, we sunk her through the looking-glass, a vision of slow, harsh realities. Her journey ended, or never quite begun. All we have left are the shards.
At least she got somewhere.
The above writings accompany this split between Persistence in Mourning and Pentadrvg. The former being a band effort and the latter being a solo artist. On this cassette we have one track from each and a full collaboration on another track. The all around feeling if this music is eerie, drab-soaked, deathlike. Both artists are mourning Alice in their own ways, and then together.
I can't lie and say this was an easy album to review. At times writers run out of words or don't use words in fear of becoming stale, redundant and/or repetitive. So, sometimes we as writers must take a new way to explore music. To let it engulf us, to feel it. So what you're about to read may be words, but they are also images, sights and sounds.
Persistence in Mourning & Pentadrvg - 'A Funeral For Alice'
The echoes through these halls sound of death. The air is bleak, and soiled. The coffin being carried away, the loss of a life held within. The priest gives his speech, a speech of sorrow. Eyes are wet all around as the casket is set to be lowered. His chants and ruminating strikes terror in us. We did not wish this. Our faults and sin, Alice has paid a price. As the priest continues, the skies become black, blacker than the insides of Alice's resting place. They seem to scream at all of us. And we weep. We weep as the rain continues. I, I can hear a beating in my body as she is lowered. Flowers and goodbyes as everyone begins to leave. But I, this beating. I no longer know if it is within me of from elsewhere. Have I gone mad. This beating, its coming from behind me. I look and see nothing but a graveyard now empty of people. But the beating continues. I walk to the site of our beloved Alice and the noise, the noise is so intense. Have I gone mad. For days she has been gone. This isn't possible. I gather myself to my feet. This beating continues but I must not stay. I must not think such things. As I walk away I still hear it. I know now. Alice's life may have ended, but her journey, just begun.
Persistence in Mourning - 'Ceremonial Suffering'
"This is your fault. You're alive and she's not. You're the one, you. She'd still be here if you had watched her. We can't bring her back now! You. You. Why."
The nightmares continue every day. I don't eat or even leave the house. My Alice, I'm so sorry. This is my fault. I can't bare this pain. I no linger wish this burden. I want to leave this life. Alice. I will be joining you soon.
Pentadrvg - 'Cold Boiling'
I can see you. I missed you so. Come here Alice. Alice, why do you walk away. Alice, stop. Come here. Alice. Don't walk away Alice. Alice. Alice. Alice.
Persistence in Mourning and Pentadrvg have made a harrowing musical experience together. And, solo I might add. All three tracks fitting together as a package. As a story. One that may drive you mad...
Alice will be let out of her tomb and available through the always experimental Tartarus Records. Be sure to swing by their site and maybe even grab a shirt while you're there. (And maybe one for me as well. I wear a size large).
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