PETER ULRICH - Enter the Mysterium - CD - 10 tracks - City Canyons Records - 2005

Though Peter Ulrich has been a member of prestigious projects having a high notoriety, such as Dead Can Dance or This Mortal Coil, his first album "Pathways and Dawns" hasn't been commercially as successful as it should have been. The reason why is difficult to understand, as this album was of a very good quality.

"Enter the Mysterium" follows the same artistic way, with a nice variety of songs, combined to different styles, such as folk, ethnic and medieval music, with a strong structure, which gives to the whole album a beautiful unity. A delicate journey through colourful landscapes and varied cultures. Percussions, guitar, violin, piano, keyboards, flute, oboe amongst so many other ones) envelop the fragile voice of Peter, with melancholy in a warm and ethereal atmosphere. If you start listening to this album by watching its beautiful artwork, then you really enter the mysterium. A dark wooden door covered by leaves seems to be the backdoor of a old medieval castle, or a monastery, like suggests the second pictures in the back. There's a true sacred spirit in Peter's music, tainted by authentic spirituality. All tracks in the album reflect the story of ancient religious traditions or old mythical believes. Dark green is the colour I see when listening to Peter's music, not only because it is the predominant colour on both his albums, but also because it is a quiet and peaceful colour, symbol of Nature and Life, bringing serenity and stability. "The Scryer and the Shewstone" is the most folk medieval oriented song of the album, and it reminds me sometimes of Fire & Ice, in the way it is interpreted, as Ian Read could have done it. Other songs might have similarities with Brendan Perry or David Sylvian, but after two albums, Peter has been able to create his own sound, which is immediately recognizable. What can be inherited from the Dead Can Dance period seems to be this incredible capacity of mixing both world music elements with post punk roots. A very rich and varied album, full of fascinating melodies, which haunt our soul and never get out. A splendid journey back to the essence of romanticism and melancholy. Come and find the wise man...

A must ! To be placed next to your DCD album collection.

Highly recommended !!

Stéphane F.
Autumn 2005

website : www.themysterium.info