Agua De Annique - Air

\r\nThere hasn’t been a very long time since the singer and soul of The Gathering, Anneke Van Giersbergen decided to withdraw from the band. The disappointment was big but the sentiments were mixed since a few days after her retirement, everyone knew that she would continue to exist in the musical fields via her personal band by the name Agua De Annique. So the time has come for this band to presents us its first work, titled "Air" and the first thing that we should make clear is that this disk is not a substitute with certain remnants of The Gathering but it is an album with a character of its own, in which we find some of the most beautiful songs that this enchanting voice has ever performed. \r\n

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\r\n"Air" naturally is not framed only by Anneke. In this effort, the rest of the members play also a fundamental role, including Rob Snijders, acquaintance from Celestial Season and also Anneke’s husband, as we also meet again Jacquers De Haard on the bass, from Celestial Season as well. Furthermore there are plenty of musicians who add their own color in this sea of sentiments and make this work even more qualitative, with more important the presence of Kristin Fjellseth from Pale Forest. \r\n

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\r\nMusically, "Air" does not have absolutely any relation with metal hearings. This matter of course is of little importance, because from the moment when it is pleasantly heard and can transmit to us all those rich sentiments that contains, this is something completely meaningless. The identity of the album takes form right from the first track with the title "Beautiful EMU" and if I‘m not mistaken it refers to Athens. It’s a melancholic song that from the first notes nails and absorbs our attention with its charming melodies. Next, "Witness" that follows, it is the best track of the disk for me (although we rather misjudge all the rest if we make a specific selection), it is very melodic and easy heard, while throughout all its duration the atmosphere is contrite’. And when of course the time comes for this amazing, simple but at the same time so much expressive guitar moment, all the feelings are reveling. Apart from all that, tracks as "Day After Yesterday", "My Girl", "Yalin" etch. are all characterized by Anneke’s style and due to her unique voice they are being colored and even more expressive. Concisely, all the compositions are created very well carefully and they reveal a mature and tied up band which is based on emotions and is talented in keeping a direct connection with the listener and making him feel good while listening to the music. The lyrics also possess a huge role in this particular release cause they speak directly to the heart, they are simple, and everyone can see oneself within, each one for the reasons of his own. \r\n

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\r\n"Air" is overcoming and at the same time a unique album. It disputably eludes those close-minded limits of "conventionalities". Let go for a little while any of your weaknesses towards the extreme sound and give a chance to this mixture of inspiration and emotions. Sit comfortable and let yourself free to the sounds of the guitar, trumpet and flute. The controlled melancholy is needed in our life."Air" is the appropriate "tool" for something like this therefore the only thing that we have to do is thanking Anneke and her company…\r\n

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\r\nVassilis Mazaris\r\n

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\r\nTranslated:Vaso Prassa \r\n

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