• A dream return to rural China - A review of 迷魂殿's 李有才的一天

    迷魂殿 - 李有才的一天 (2018)

    Chinese one-man project Enchantenka releases its third record in its third year of existence. While the first album was a consistent blackened folk metal record, the sophomore effort was more like a black metal release with occasional folk passages. This third release and first extended play walks off the beaten path and can be described as ambient or neofolk record which is a genre that has become more and more popular in China over the past few years. This underlines the fact that many people who live in big cities are longing for a return to rural landscapes these days. 

    Black metal elements or vocals are nowhere to be found as the album rather presents four instrumental songs based upon atmospheric keyboard passages, authentic field recordings, atmospheric sound samples and minimalist rhythmic and percussive elements.The album feels like a continuous relaxed walk through a town as one hears conversations from what seem to be markets and restaurants. The record sounds much warmer than the cold cover artwork might suggest. It has a quite peaceful, natural and harmonious vibe and is a great short release to escape your everyday life and relax for fifteen inspiring minutes.

    Such a risky change of style might not appeal to fans of the first two releases but only proves the open-minded approach of this atmospheric one-man project and keeps me interested in discovering its next unpredictable steps. If you like ambient music, field recordings or neofolk, you should give this release a chance. Metal purists should stay away from this.

    Final rating: 70%

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