Search - Cruxshadows :: Mystery of the Whisper

Mystery of Brilliance

mocosteinman | Cleveland, OH, USA | 09/18/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Very rarely do you find an album that is at once a musical feast and an epic storytelling event. "Mystery of the Whisper" is as brilliant as "Downward Spiral" (NIN) in concept, and yet musically and lyrically far superior. Its combination of melodic (even classical) arrangement and hard-edged, danceable rhythms make it a treat for the discerning fan of goth, darkwave, industrial, folk, 80's rock, even opera! The plot is also intricate and sophisticated. It does deal with the simple and traditional "album story" where lovers meet and tragically loose each other. But the subplot of religious development, disillusionment, and completion take it far beyond the typical cliche stories of modern music and into the realm of mythology."Mystery..." is, as its title's allusion to the old mystery-cults implies, at last an experience of transcedent art and a deeply personal expression of the divine."

Unlocking the Mystery of the Whisper

Theresa DeLucci | NYC | 01/10/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Crüxshadows, originating from Florida, most likely had a great challenge creating a follow-up as bright and as original as their official debut album, "Telemetry of a Fallen Angel," but "Mystery of the Whisper" stands very well on its own. The album is consistently wonderful all the way through, and requires a lot of repeated listenings to fully appreciate the complex array of sounds, imagery and thoughts. You hear something new each time. Stand-out tracks include the edgy "Cruelty," the emotional depth of "Breathe," and the bitter-sweet melancholy of "Sympathy (for Tomorrow.) I highly recommend this album and look forward to seeing how one of my favorite bands continues to develop."

The mystery is in the LISTENING

Michael A. Ventarola | New Jersey | 07/27/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Cruxshadows' ( pronounced: Croo - shadows) latest offering, demonstrates this band is built to last. Many have heard their song "Monsters" on the Black Bible compilation and may be anticipating some more of the same playful spooky goth dance chords. Wipe that sound from your head and take notice that this band strives for yet another sound that will begin a new rage. "The Mystery Of The Whisper" brilliantly combines elements of Egyptian style sounds and marries them to Gothic Industrial chords on some of the songs featured on this disc. The current "hit" being passed around these days is "Cruelty" however that is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg of how wonderful this CD sounds. The lyrics are timely and poetic that you may find yourself listening to a particular passage repeatedly, somewhat stunned that the gammut of your emotions have been put to recorded music like no other artist has done in quite some time.
The only major drawback is the print inside the CD cover which is rather small, especially for some of us "elder" Goths, however the band humbly apologizes for this. Considering the scope and the breadth in which they have created this body of work , it is seriously doubted that their fans will mind all too much. The Cruxshadows manage to take the Gothic sensibility to heart felt introspection. There is a lot of pride and humility carefully woven into the body of songs which makes the entire outfit so endearing that you can't help but cheer their success. Rogue takes his lyrics to such impassioned heights when he sings the choral verses that you want to sing along and, somehow, he makes you feel like he wouldn't mind the company along the way. Many of these songs have generous dance beats geared for club play. The real "whisper" from this CD comes from listening to it alone with your headset on. All the subtle nuances come bursting to the forefront, that is seems as if the band made this CD exclusively for you. Make no mistake, Rogue doesn't just "sing" these lyrics, he feels them and relives the agony and the ecstasy which may get missed during a club playing. He surrounds his voice around the lyric in gentle lilting ways that only the headset can truly pinpoint the passion of the rendition to its fullest height which allows us to feel it along with him.
This is such a stunning CD which will only garner this band many more fans along the way. Dancing Ferret Discs will be running into overtime for additional pressings on this outing."