stroszek-wildyears-reviews

Review from Forgotten Path Magazine; Issue 6

Thu, 25 Sep 2014 21:29:00 +0100

From: Forgotten Path Magazine; Issue 6

Published: November 2014

Massive release from the camp of “Hypnotic Dirge Records”. I was a little surprised, but it turned out that Stroszek is a calm acoustic solo project of Claudio Alcara, guitarist of Italian Black Metal band Frostmoon Eclipse. It seems like the heart and soul of an angry Black Metal-head shows itself from a completely different perspective.

Despite “Wild Years of Remorse and Failures” being a compilation album, I now hear this project for the first time, so I’d like to mention that there are a few sold-out albums, one mini-CD and a few new tracks included here. To those who, like me, hear Stroszek for the first time, in short: these are acoustic compositions interweaving Darkwave, Neo-Folk and Acoustic Rock genres. Though the acoustic instruments are dominant, sometimes fused guitars are also heard. In general, to me it sounds like a mix between Anathema, Of the Wand and the Moon, early Flowing Tears and Withered Flowers and Empyrium. There’s no Metal in the music, but general atmosphere, the Neo-Folk foundation certainly bears resemblance to these bands. The whispering vocals remind me of the magic of Empyrium. However, while I can compare it to many bands I like, of all 26 songs on this CD I found only two that leave some impression and that I remember after listening. Yes, the discs (it’s a double CD release) are pleasant to listen to, but they lack some amazing impressions. Calm, slow songs, built on acoustic guitar, wouldn’t be fit to sing by a campfire or with friends. However, on a calm and quiet evening while enjoying solitude they would probably make quite good company.

Rating: 7/10

Reviewed by: Odium

Review from Necromance Webzine

Sun, 06 Jul 2014 20:10:51 +0100

From: Necromance Webzine

Published: July 4, 2014

Original Link

*Google translation of Spanish review

"Wild years of remorse and failures" is the latest work of Italian threesome Stroszek, who wanted to get back to light previous work and gathered in this edition (with a new mastering) the following material: The Album "songs of remorse "and" life failures made music ", the EP" the wild hunt "and two versions. In total 26 subjects in which the band explores the grounds of the most atmospheric and tranquil music, through structures laden passages with acoustic guitars, clean vocals and a very successful and emotional atmosphere. A sound that brought to mind the quieter Tiamat and especially in the experimental part of the voice recordings that bring to mind those of Johan Edlund; some issues where, as you're listening to, discover elements in the music arrived from folk metal, dark metal, ambient music ... all through the combination more measured rhythms and passages so quiet that sometimes are crossed with something more "aggressive" parts but always without reaching the land of metal. 26 songs that will take you to a state of absolute calm and tranquility ... that's the music of Stroszek.

Rating: 7/10

Reviewed by: David Deniz

Review from Pest Webzine

Sat, 14 Jun 2014 20:32:47 +0100

From: Pest Webzine

Published: June 1, 2014

Original Link

Well, Gothic Metal is a bit too much of a label for Stroszek's music, but parts of it are hinting towards a really melodic Gothic Metal with Alternative and even Country influences. This is a huge release, a double CD release featuring 2 albums, both played on the same direction, using mostly guitars and vocals, with episodic insertions of drums and bass. Stroszek is the one-man project of Claudio Alcara from Frostmoon Eclipse, but this is not linked to Black Metal at all, actually to me it reminds of the softer parts from Lake of Tears' "Headstones". I find the tracks to be a bit stretched beyond need and the vocals good but quite limited in potential, but all in all the 2 CDs are offering an excellent atmosphere, the perfect production helping a lot in this sense. If you're into Melodic Metal with loads of Acoustic passages you should definitely try Stroszek, a very delicate, expressive, emotional and deep music that probably offers a good understanding on Claudio's feelings while creating it.

Rating: 9/10

Reviewed by: Adrian

Review from Aristocrazia Webzine

Tue, 06 May 2014 14:34:26 +0100

From: Aristocrazia Webzine

Published: May 5, 2014

Original Link

*Google translation of Italian review

The recovered memory: the Stroszek look back, preparing for some kind of future. Two years ago, the reality of the inspiration of Claudius Arcara daughter had been a welcome discovery with the release of "Sound Graveyard Bound" and which subsequently had in-depth knowledge with "A Back In The Day" . Today, however, I find myself in his hands a double cd collection published by the Canadian Hypnotic Dirge Records, which inside contains twenty-six pieces of the very first was, originally released in "Song Of Remorse", "The Wild Hunt" and "Life Failures Made Music" in remastered and re-interpreted for what concerns the vocal.

It is a musical journey of nearly two hours in which you can appreciate all the facets held by Stroszek, both as regards the scope of purely compositional, varied and always pleasantly addicted to acoustic performances, both for what concerns the atmospheric load of a concentrated dose of melancholy, dullness and deprivation while listening tends to grip the hearing. The size of songwriting across the length and breadth of the songs is intriguing. The references, or if you prefer combinations, the most well-known names in the music scene rock, grunge, blues and folk are inevitable, one could not speak of breaths to Cat Power and Nick Drake, emotions fought to Alice In Chains or bottled by nostalgia to Mark Lanegan and Tom Waits, without, however, wrong to the way in which the notes appear in Stroszek with immediacy and instinct the thoughts that revolve in their head.

"Wild Years Of Remorse And Failures" is a work niche, a listening that articulates with a gentle resignation wander suggestive that with each passing minute it becomes more and more fascinating. In my view a graphical representation of this booklet given to the collection of songs that do not make more tangible the feeling of abandonment and desolation almost magical atmosphere that surrounds them, expressing the passion and attention resulting from the collaboration between artist and label in shaping that the appearance .

Anyone who follows the long Stroszek should grab a copy of this work: it is done purely for collectors or not, I am sure that this new life given to the pieces will be appreciated. For those who did not know the project, so wide output would be the ideal way to come into contact with and advice to do so, because it's worth it.

Reviewed by: Mourning

Review from Metal Wave Webzine

Fri, 28 Feb 2014 03:45:33 +0100

From: Metal Wave Webzine

Published: February 25, 2014

Original Link

*Google translation of Italian review

Second release of the first two albums EP's solo project of Claudio Alcara guitarist Frostmoon Eclipse, Wild Years of Remorse and Failures summarizes the acoustic and dark approach that is the mentality. Much more oriented towards the side towards which the acoustic black metal, though with intervals of rock heaviness variable, there is a prevalence for dark atmosphere, enhanced by a very dim sung that does his job, and despite a few little moments hit the spot or with difficulty distinguishable in the overall sound is the best part of the job. The guitars are very simple, with that style from "a few notes but well done" in the dark, but the overall level suffers from some fairly trivial drafts. The balance is slightly toward the positive, thanks to the good use of other instruments (bass, drums and electric) placed sporadically support its sound, but the sheer length of this release means that the attention is focused on the defects rather than on the merits.

Judging the work for himself, in fact, there is a huge problem: it is impossible to get to the end without feeling a strong sense of boredom. The idea of releasing what is essentially a discography is now unavailable to appreciate, but twenty-six songs for acoustic guitar and sang dim are impossible to follow without getting tired. I left the album with the feeling of "finally finished", and it is not a good thing: too much music, too many tracks including digging to find the songs really catchy does not allow you to really enjoy it. With a genre like this, then, after a forty-minute becomes almost a substrate.

already appreciated If the project is an offer not to be missed. If you are interested, my advice is to avoid listening to in its entirety, otherwise you risk getting tired quickly. Listen to it over time, delete the songs that do not interest you, and you can add a few more copies to my vote. When digging for gold, you should also keep the land.

Rating: 69/100

Reviewed by: Mrsteve

Review from Legacy Magazine; Issue #89

Fri, 28 Feb 2014 02:57:23 +0100

From: Legacy Magazine; Issue #89

Published: February 2014

Magazine Website

*Google translation of German review

Claudio Alcara's Stroszek are the second pillar of the Italian creative. With Frost Moon Eclipse, he had already made a name in black metal, when he started this side project in 2007. "Wild Years Of Remorse Failures" is a retrospective of the past six years on a double CD. This is what the 2007 debut works are "Songs Of Remorse" and was published in 2009, second album "Life Failures Made Music". As a treat there with this is the 2009 published "Wild Hunt" EP, working on the Stroszek only with acoustic guitar, piano and vocals. As a bonus, all songs were remastered and given the title of the debut with a new song. In addition, can be found on this double CD two cover versions that fit quite well in the garb of the quiet, melancholic and acoustic stressed songwriter music: on the one that's Tecumseh Valley 'by Townes Zandt, on the other hand the country classic, Bury The Bottle With Me 'by Dick Curless. Overall, just under two hours takes this look back at the years 2007 to 2009, which should be interesting for all those well who wish to authorize after the third album "Sound Graveyard Bound" from 2011, the start-up phase of this project. A slight touch of Johan Edlund in song can be heard, but only in the very quiet passages; once give Stroszek more rocking acts Alcaras voice quite thin, making it also the biggest shortcoming of this music. Otherwise, sure a good change to hard Black Metal records, if you put on Melancholy value.

No rating

Reviewed by: JF

Review from Rock Metal Essence Webzine

Fri, 28 Feb 2014 02:56:20 +0100

From: Rock Metal Essence Webzine

Published: February 20, 2014

Original Link

*Google translation of Italian review

The acclaimed early work of the project folk / acoustic dark rock Stroszek were republished in December 2013 by the Canadian label Hypnotic Dirge Records in the form of a double CD collection, by way of Wild Years of Remorse and Failures .

Boasting a complete remastering and a re-recording of the vocals of the album Songs of Remorse , the compilation also includes the hard Life Failures Made Music and the EP The Wild Hunt , and brings to light the ancient sound of this project . A dark and obscure folk rock, the style of Tiamat of Gaia , who gives birth to a beautiful melancholic atmosphere often made of acoustic guitars, enveloping lines of the plan, precise percussion and majestic vocals whispered. It follows from this a solid foundation of music influences of traditional black metal pollution (to Negura Bunget), which collides with the dark and melodic incotnra typical of the early Alice in Chains, as well as the style and tone of Antimatter and painful read vocals to Tom Waits. short, a collection that brings out the character and refinement of a music always able to capture the listener, transporting in mysterious worlds, sometimes tense, always captivating. An excerpt of a considerable part of the career of Stroszek it was only right to rediscover and revive, and finally can now be available to everyone through this beautiful compilation. Well done.

Rating: 77/100

Reviewed by: James Mazzano

Review from Alarm 666 Webzine

Wed, 19 Feb 2014 10:39:43 +0100

From: Alarm 666 Webzine

Published: February 18, 2014

Original Link

*Google translation of Danish review

"Wild Years of Remorse and Failures" is something of a case to get through. It is a remake of the Italian band Stroszek's two albums "Songs of Remorse" and "Life Failures Made Music" and the EP "The Wild Hunt" and two brand new cover songs. The two albums have apparently been hard to come by in a while, so now you have the chance again.

I personally knew nothing of Stroszek before I received double album from Hypnotic Dirge Redords. According to the press release stood at once 'dark folk / acoustic' and it must be said fits perfectly. From the first track on the CD 1, 'A Night Walk In Partille', we stroll around in a relaxed and beautiful long alley of darkness and melancholy - a style we more or less get in through the 26 tracks that are on the "Wild Years of Remorse and Failures ".

C which are man behind Stroszek and also plays the guitar and sings, has a sufficiently deep and småhviskende vocals, which adds a whole just the right mood. And it is precisely this that is the key word in this band; mood. C's two co-conspirators Richard (drums) and Davide (bass) are fine an appropriate base without the wild fluctuations when they are in the image. My mind is drawn to include against a mixture of certain elements from newer Anathema and Timat on recent releases. That's right, great if you're just in the mood on a dark night with a little mood lighting.

As I said, it's something of a case to get through both albums at once, but it also works ¨ well as background music, without having to delve further and provide a comfortable atmosphere.

I thought "Wild Years of Remorse and Failures" overall it is a good album, which can be recommended to anyone who is dark folk / acoustic.

Reviewed by: Skousen

Review from Sic Maggot Webzine

Sun, 16 Feb 2014 08:35:55 +0100

From: Sic Maggot Webzine

Published: February 14, 2014

Original Link

*Google translation of Czech review

Perhaps it is difficult to review the project as Stroszek begin otherwise than by talking about what this band actually was and where it came from. The group is responsible for a certain Claudio Alcara , which should be known to readers of the metal sites especially about as a founding guitarist of Italian black metallers Frostmoon Eclipse , who would be given the time of exposure on the stage (since 1994) has been slowly put into the sorts include veterans, except It is, however, in the past, among other things flashed on one album at other Italian black metal pack Handful of Hate , whose history is also gone on for some time.

Over time, however, by all Claudio got to the point where he probably needed to relieve playing black metal and try a little quieter music - and that this is the time when the scene starts name Stroszek . That is a Claudius side project, in which, however, in no way does not give black metal, or even any other metal. Music, like under the heading Stroszek form, it is mostly acoustic and extends into the genre of folk or, if you prefer, neofolk and in the "sharpest" moments could be called folk rock.

The first plate Stroszek was called "Songs of Remorse" and was originally published in 2007. That you her name remotely resembles the name of achievement in the title of this article? Well, it's not a coincidence. When I mention that later in 2009 even released their second major album "Life Failures Made Music" and EP called "The Wild Hunt" (similar to Watain purely coincidental) now you could start by dawn. "Wild Years of Remorse and Failures" is not another long-playing album, but a compilation that has kept under one roof All three recordings as a 2CD set. The reason why this matter is now out, this is mainly that these initial achievements Stroszek are already sold out and unavailable.

Brings "Wild Years of Remorse and Failures" something extra compared to the original released? Yes, it brings ... although not much, but even leaving aside the fact itself that again ensures the availability of this music on an official carrier, little else is after all still finds. Both plates and minialbu received a new mastering, in the case of the debut "Songs of Remorse" were re-recorded vocals, with whom was allegedly Claudio Alcara back completely satisfied, and every album he discovered one remake - "Bury the Bottle with Me" from the U.S. Countryman Dick Curless u debuts and "Tecumseh Valley" also from American musician Townes Van Zandt in the new "Life Failures Made Music" . What changes remastering (and recently filmed singing) in the music itself did, unfortunately I can not judge because I do not know the original form ...

What should the audience expect musically? As you probably indirectly follows from the above outlined genre-defining, in any case, it is not a sharp music and style should be Frostmoon Eclipse but with the same name in the author box has nothing in common. "Wild Years of Remorse and Failures" extension Stroszek offers listening rather soothing and relaxing ... it is true that it is still not nothing they prvoplánovitě a positive, but it does not change the fact that most of the time playing the music listener passes relatively warm feeling and comfort. It's that sort of music that could be called pleasant poslechovkou.

Two discs (the first is the "Songs of Remorse" and the first cover, on the second "Life Failures Made Music" , "The Wild Hunt" and the second cover) dominates mainly light acoustic guitar, thick and rather monotonous voice, reassuring brumlající moderate bass and drums, which remains relatively short. In times when the rhythm section perform a little forward and exceptionally sounds and electric guitar, enter Stroszek a stage where their production be called folk-rock, but on the desktop for 110 minutes that both drives are counted together, these passages are in complete minority.

That's about all you can about "Wild Years of Remorse and Failures" say without I should not continue to repeat. It's a very nice music, which is very nice listening is náladotvorná, lightly melancholic and still smart enough built that with such at first glance a simple recipe could keep the listener's attention throughout the duration of a single disk ... true, put both just behind it may smack a bit of boredom, but due to the fact that both he stands alone, there is no reason to give the whole 110 minutes in one go, when you can enjoy the first 45 and maybe a couple of hours rest 65

Perhaps you could ask which of the two discs (albums) is better, if there are any peaks that might be worth stress of ... you know, I do not know. Do both CD, both somehow approximately the same, while also listening to the one surely deserves. With specific songs also served not because I have to admit that in this case, somehow I do not see ... I let it always and only let it run around and soak up the atmosphere. In one listening to me more interesting about this one moment, the next in turn merges with others within the overall mood and sails to the fore another. Perhaps the only thing I would mention is her remake of "Bury the Bottle with Me" on the first disc to me in the context of the rest of the "Songs of Remorse" does not fit, the second cover is recessed into a whole lot more sensitive, even though he acts a little, not particularly disturb it.

Anyhow certainly is a hilarious, enjoyable and least interesting music, which - if it has so far not come into contact - certainly worth hearing ... So, assuming that you are not Orthodox metalheads, because for those that have not addressed seriously. Assuming that you yourself can imagine how you hear something that sounds the way it was approximately described in the preceding lines, there is no reason creating Stroszek recommended. Since the "Wild Years of Remorse and Failures" compilation achievement, so refrain from evaluation, but probably not something to be particularly emphasize the purely musical aspect I would probably points entirely spared ...

Reviewed by: MF

Review from ZWare Metalen

Thu, 13 Feb 2014 09:27:26 +0100

From: ZWare Metalen

Published: February 7, 2014

Original Link

*Google translation of Dutch review

The Italian behind Stroszek , Claudio , does not like capital letters . Everything in the small so . For years, he makes acoustic guitar music with a metal bar where he considers it necessary. Hypnotic Dirge felt the time had come to join his material and bring a reprise of the vocals of Claudio . Out as a double CD Why not .

Why not ? Well, because very few people here are waiting . Hours at a time to do what is Claudio between singing , humming and whispering in it , with a ponderous Johan Edlund vibe something. Pretentious posturing if you ask me, a vague sense of neofolk bears in sight . Boring and very tiring , especially if you want to listen to . The 26 songs consecutively Instrumental is a lot wider , campfire music to conservative black metal to grunge , and all variations in between. Here and there a cover , and then it's over . Stroszek , not recommended , Hypnotic Dirge has a lot more interesting stuff in the house , even in his garden on the compost heap .

Reviewed by: Bart Alfvoet