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ILIA
EPOS
1988 , RUSSIA - EURO 13.00
Label: BOHEME MUSIC INT.
ALBUM REVIEW
Epos comes from St. Petersburg. Ilia, recorded in 1988, is performed by 4 vocalists(2 female and 2 male), 2 violinists, a cello player, a bassist, synth player, and a drummer. The album consists of 4 long tracks that link together to form a continuous 35-minute epic. The 4 sections feature music influenced by traditional Russian folk music. The emphasis here is on vocals rather than on instruments. Vocal sections tend to be done solo(both female and male), accappella, and in unison(choir). When the female singer solos, I'm reminded of old Eastern European laments. The mood is sad, and dark. She is usually followed by a violin theme that reappears during the course of the album. The accappella sections are more influenced by the Russian church chanting tradition. Fortunately, those sections never come off as too religious. Some of the male vocals remind me of Magma. (Steve Hegede)
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