Search - In the Woods :: Three Times Seven on a Pilgrimage

Amazing work by In The Woods

somesmartfreak | The Netherlands | 11/28/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In The Woods has never been a band which is easily characterized. Their earlier record HEart Of The Ages is in a Black metal vein. In contrast 3 times 7 is not a black metal record. It is a compilation of three seven inch EP's which In The Woods has released during their career. Some of the songs are older and because of that they are heavier than the more recent stuff. Let's look in-depth to the songs of this record:
1. Seed of Sound
A beautiful short acoustic insturmental intro to the record. Reminiscent of some of Opeth's acoustical interludes. Very good.
2. Karmakosmik
Despite the strange title, which is indeed a blend of the words karma and cosmos, this is a not so strange song. It is a quite pogrock like piece. The first half of the song is typical for progrock. About halfway through the pace picks up and we are treated with a great guitar section. The vocals of both the male and female leadsinger contribute great to the atmosphere of this song. Arguably the best piece of the record!
3. Epitaph
A cover of King Crimson, although I am not at all familiar with the original (not with any of KC for that matter) I like this. With all the weird effects this piece has great atmosphere, to which the female singer greatly contributes! I think this does justice to the original in the way that it will not be an exact replay but an interpretation instead.
4. Empty Room
An original and the longest song on the record, this has some great emotional passages in which the male singer is almost screaming which is quite well done. Not the type of screaming which seams to be popular in Black metal, but more like My Dying Bride on their Light At The End Of The World.
5. Let There Be More Light
Another cover this one by the legendary Pink Floyd. Again although I do not know the original this is still a nice song. Probably it is a lot heavier than PF with some heavy guitar works for which PF is not known.
6. Child Of Universal Tongue
Amazing lyrics in this song, but that is not unusual for In The Woods. They seem to have a talent for creating these briliant but weird lyrics. A fascinating experience this song.
7. Soundtrack for Cycoz pt1
This is a very weird instrumental, with some really out of key pieces to my ears. My least favorite although it is still better than most so-called music on the radio nowadays.
8. White Rabbit
Again a cover, this time by Jefferson Airplane. This weird Alice in Wonderland type lyric fits In The Woods very well. Compared to the original this has an acoustic almost Spanish like intro and instead of sung by a woman it is sung by a .... I like it better than the original.
9. Mourning The Death Of Aase
This is a remake of on of their own songs from the aforementioned HEart OF The Ages, this one is heavier than the original. While on that particular record it was a more soft song, on this one it is one of heavier pieces. The female singer, of which it won't give you the name since it is a somewhat ridiculous pseudonym, does some great vocals which are comparable in style to Nightwish's Deep Silent Complete. Again this one is better than the original!
10. If It's In You
A cover from Syd Barett the founder of Pink Floyd, this one is very relaxed, for me it is one of my least favorite songs on this album.
All in all it is a great album and definitely worth your trouble if you are not afraid to listen to something different."