Moon Far Away
Moon Far Away is a gothic / darkwave / neofolk group from Arkhangelsk, Russia. They were formed in 1994 and became widely known in 1996 in Russia at the demo level. Their first full-length, "Lado World," was released in June 1997 on the Exotica label, followed with "Sator" (Brudenia, 2000) and "Whitewaterland" (Shadowplay/Prokosnovenie, 2005).
MOON FAR AWAY is a music project denying limiting borders of space, time and society. It creates mystical and ritual soundscapes in the framework of Gothic music and ritual neo-folk.
Behind the consciously faceless visual image of the project there is the desire of the project members to create a unified audio and semantic image as free from any human origin as possible. No matter how the Project members live or what they do outside MFA, it has no significance whatsoever for adequate understanding MOON FAR AWAY music.
A combination of classical traditional European culture and modern select avant-garde tradition, along with technology and mass-media development of modern civilization, merged with strict obedience to traditions reflecting the mentality of Russian North sea regions are the basis of MOON FAR AWAY philosophy…
Moon Far Away is the band whose debut album "Lado World" was with the single heart recognized as the first true gothic release in Russia. In 11 years of they existence this Arkhangelsk ritual darkwave \ neo-folk project became the cult one on a Russian dark scene and became very popular abroad. The tracks of the band were presented both in Russian and foreign compilations of the dark scene. The musical press gives excellent reviews on all Moon Far Away creations. You can find picture of the band as the centerfold in German magazine Zillo. Japanese director Susei Nisi made a film that is devoted to the Moon Far Away
Belovodie is the first studio disk in last five years and the third full-frame studio album in the history of the band. Like previous releases of Moon Far Away Belovodie has it's own concept. From the very beginning the band underlines in different ways the ritual component in it's creative work and it's closeness to ancient traditions. And at the same time journalists were asked by the question - why does the band ignore in it's creative work the Russian north tradition theme that is the subject of interest of the musicians? So that is the moment! The new album almost all consists of folk songs of the Arkhangelsk state in original arrangement of Moon Far Away.
For the first time the release date in Russia coincides with the official release date abroad. The release in USA and Europe is realized by French label Prikosnovenie. On the territory of the ex-USSR states the new disk of the band is released by the label Shadowplay Release with the additional new track which is absent in foreign version. By the agreement with the band European and Russian versions have different sleeve-design that could be the reason for troubles for true collectors.
Reviews
Yesterday we had Gothic Rock courtesy of Elusive, who take preposterous lyrical daydreams, of a traditional kind that we have all encouraged, and turn them into placid beauty. Today we have a highly regarded, enigmatic duo who have supplanted their own inventive blend of Goth and Ethereal with a desire to highlight traditional songs of the Arkangelsk region of Russia from their own perspective, without doing anything that could be regarded as ‘beautiful’ but something touching, and more imaginative that plain realism. Somehow moved by this region they have been collecting songs for several years, and it makes for an interesting encounter, which is never boring, but never rhapsodic. Its audience is understandably restricted by being sung in Russian, because for the rest of us there is little in the music to differentiate between this and similar traditional folk forms which hark back to medieval times. It could be Russian, Czech or Rumanian: we have no way of telling why some songs may be special, or linked.
It is to their credit that they haven’t, until the final track, tried to bend the music to fit their whims. They have sunk themselves into creating a fitting mood, and it has a bitter charm which isn’t, thankfully, as bleak as the imagery used through the CD booklet, which threatens you with something totally doomed. This is reflective music, bordering on solemn and from ‘At Dawn’ onwards the pipes or keyboards make catchy moves behind the mild vocals, and the medieval shapes are something you might find on Fossil Dungeon.
‘The Beloved Is Fitting Out’ has a more modern, rolling ethereal feel with pleasant vocals and acoustic guitar, ’Cropped Grain’ is a lovely, enclosed piece, allowing fleeting touches of drums, guitar and synth to feature in a serious mood piece, which is far more interesting that any rustic neo-folk, and ‘Flowerets’ with its churchy organ and weird wind instrument replicating birdcall has a lilting vocal to keep things lively. ‘The Wave Makes A Sound’ shows to revitalise the traditional so that the past isn’t chronically dour, and ‘Winds Did Not Blow’ has ambient modernity tempered by hushed vocals and steamy hissing synth.
‘What Varnia’ is lively again, but as with ‘From Behind The Mountains’ with plonking piano and bouncy drums, I notice how less mood equals less impact, because the basic nature of these musical forms can render them identikit. ‘Death’ is far more serious, as you might expect, with a sample of an actual funeral service, and ‘Arise You Red Sun’ drifts away with a delicate tension. Finally, they bring out ‘Circle The Ring’ as though a day, or life, has been completed, and here they are naturally far more stirring because it’s a purely modern tribute, and cascade
This is not a sensational record, because they’re not being sensationalist. They’re being respectful, and it is a more than respectable work as a result. They have a clear, winning, ability to make much of what is traditional and make it accessible and interesting because of their own skill and knowledge of texture and space. That ability doesn’t translate to Goth itself, or similar independent styles, because they’re almost bringing us a musical corpse to examine. To get the most out of this you’re going to have to work to get used to it, and I think that is only fitting. Anything else would simply be cultural tourism.
Mick Mercer
Belovodie means 'white-water land', according to the promo notes on the CD sleeve, Moon Far Away play beautiful heavenly music inspired by the Northern Russian folklore. They use traditional instruments ...arranged with electronics. This really is an impressive CD, some absolutely divine material here, molding traditional songs from north west Russia with dramatic, male and female vocals, with some modern day Goth influence. Moon Far Away stand in relation to the culture of north west Russia in the same manner as Argine and Ataraxia build on the heritage of their native northern Italy. They also have the talent to select melodic pieces which have a wider appeal. Recommended.
Mike Shankland (Darklife fanzine, Germany, #10)
Forming ten years ago in Russia, Moon Far Away released their first album "Lado World" in 1997 and it has been recognized as the first gothic Russian release. "Belovodie" is their first album since the "Sator" album, released back in 2000. Their music is deeply influenced by the classic Russian folk music (the band also use some traditional instruments) but the band decided to blend the traditional sounds with electronic moments and with a darker atmosphere. In this way tracks like the opening "Na zore", "Zhito zhala" or "Volna shumit" are more influenced by new wave and gothic music while "Sobiraetse liubeznoy", "Iz-za gor", "Ekoy vania" or the following "Zvetiki" sound more folk and traditional. The effect created by this alternance of modern and traditional melodies is interesting and evidence that mixing different ideas is always a good thing. The forty six minutes of the album create a sort of ritualistic atmosphere that blend tension and calmness at the same time. The album has been released also by Shadowplay for the Soviet countries and it contains an extra track.
Maurizio Pustianaz (CHAIN D.L.K. magazine, Italy)
'Belovodie' means 'white-water land' . According to the promo notes on the CD sleeve. 'MFA plays beautiful heavenly music inspired by the Northern Russian folklore. They use traditional instruments ...arranged with electronics. " This really is an impressive CD. Some absolutely divine material here, moulding traditional songs from north west Russia with dramatic, male and female vocals, with some modern day Goth influence. Moon Far Away stand in relation to the culture of north west Russia in the same manner as Argine and Ataraxia build on the heritage of their native northern Italy. They also have the talent to select melodic pieces which have a wider appeal. Recommended.
http://www.zyworld.com/Oriflammejournal/even.htm
Moon Far Away is one of the many talented folk/medieval groups from Russia. They may not be the most productive bands: their two previous albums, which I both own, date from 1997 and 2000. But if this duo needs a few years to come up with something good as "Belovedie", they may take their time for a next release. On their latest album Moon Far Away is again inspired by folklore from northern Russia, only playing traditional songs. They use many original acoustic instruments, but are not afraid to combine them with modern electronics.
I cannot say anything different than that "Belovedie" is a wonderful album, somewhere between folk, ethereal and sacral/neoclassical.. The music is quite tranquil, with a warm, romantic atmosphere. Possible references are Love is Colder than Death, Stoa, Ataraxia or Rajna. Count Ash knows how to play his various instruments. Anastasia has a lovely heavenly voice, at times supported by the grave voice of Count Ash.
The arrangements are quite original, but this may be due to my inexperience with traditional Russian music. Some of the highlights are 'Iz-za gor' (From behind the mountains), 'Volna Shumit' (The wave makes a sound) and 'Ekoy vania' (What Vania). Most uptempo is the last song, 'Ne velli vetry' (Winds did not blow), with lively percussion and wonderful harmonic vocals, which I would certainly sing along if I understood Russian. A recommended piece of work!
http://www.funprox.com/reviews/review.asp?show=1486
MOON FAR AWAY is widely known in Russia for their beautiful neofolk and heavenly music. They draw their inspiration from the Northern Russia folklore with songs and traditional instruments (percussions, guitar, carillon...) arranged with electronics. They create a religious and solemn ambience. A great revelation!
MOON FAR AWAY is a music project denying limiting borders of space, time and society. It creates mystical and ritual soundscapes in the framework of Gothic music. Behind the consciously faceless visual image of the project there is the desire of the Project members to create a unified audio and semantic image as free from any human origin as possible. No matter how the Project members live or what they do outside MFA, it has no significance whatsoever for adequate understanding MOON FAR AWAY music. A combination of classical traditional European culture and modern select avant-garde tradition, along with technology and mass-media development of modern civilization, merged with strict obedience to traditions reflecting the mentality of Russian North sea regions are the basis of MOON FAR AWAY philosophy...
Band members
COUNT ASH - all instruments, music & vocal
LEDA - vocal
ZHIGICH - bass
VICTORION - drums
ANEA - vocal (1995-2000)
ANASTASIA - vocal (2001-2007)
TOLOKA - vocal (2007-2009) Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.
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