Persephone

With their third album Sonja Kraushofer (L'Ame Immortelle), Matt Howden (Sieben, ex-Sol Invictus) and Martin Höfert (Sopor Aeternus, ex-Janus) build further onto the blueprint of elegiac songs and sparkling soundscapes of "Atma Gyan", their acclaimed second album. The three musicians gracefully move from rhythmically oriented songs with strong world music leanings to melodically rich, dark neo-classical pieces; at times they fuse these diverse musical influences, and occasionally they rely on Sonja's voices as the sole instrument.

"Mera Sangeet Kho Gaya" offers a perfect balance between a variety of instruments and harmonious voices, delicately produced by John A. Rivers (Dead Can Dance). As ever, Persephone's "raison d'etre" is one of melancholy and loss with all songs being yearning, bittersweet, deserted and desolate. The elaborate packaging to accompany the release is a piece of art in itself, presented as a fold out 12 panel crucifix with deeply atmospheric landscape photos and including all lyrics.

Again the artwork has been completely created by Joachim Luetke (Marilyn Manson, Sopor Aeternus, Dimmu Borgir). "Mera Sangeet Kho Gaya" delivers a darkly delicious piece of work that is highly recommended to all lovers of heavenly voices and dark folk.