Band/artist: Liv Kristine
Album title: Deus Ex Machina [Re-Release]
Release date: 1 March 2024
Label: Allegro Talent Media
Genre: Gothic Rock, Pop, Ambient
Tracklisting:
CD 1:
01. Requiem
02. Deus Ex Machina
03. In The Heart Of Juliet
04. 3 A.M.
05. Waves Of Green
06. Take Good Care
07. Huldra Part I
08. Portrait: Ei Tulle med Øyne Blå
09. Good Vibes Bad Vibes
10. Outro
CD 2:
01. In The Heart Of Juliet (Forever Mix)
02. Huldra Part II
03. Good Vibes Bad Vibes (Dance on Mix)
04. 3 A.M. (Late Night Version)
05. 3 A.M. (Club Mix)
06. 3 A.M. (Radio Mix)
07. 3 A.M. (Single Edit)
08. 3 A.M. (No Loop Mix)
09. Deus Ex Machina (Alternative Remix)
10. Deus Ex Machina (Guitar Extended)
11. Deus Ex Machina (Remix)
12. Sun In The Stream
13. Sun In The Stream (Demo 1999)
14. Inamorata (Live)
15. Inamorata (Demo 1999)
It has been far more than ten rainy summers and nine destructive winters since Norwegian songstress Liv Kristine embarked on a solo career while still being the centrepiece of the legendary gothic metal pioneers Theatre Of Tragedy. More than a quarter of a century has passed since her romantic yet playful debut, Deus Ex Machina, saw the light of day in 1998, and for this occasion, she released its remastered version. For me (a deep admirer of this album) and perhaps for most of us who hold this album dearly to our hearts, this is a nice addition to her collective works, even though the album brings nothing new to the table. However, it is one of Liv Kristine's fan-favourite albums because it marked her debut as a solo artist and showcased her unique blend of lamentable romanticism and buoyant playfulness. This album solidified her artistic identity and laid the foundation for her subsequent releases, making it a cherished and essential part of her musical journey.
Deus Ex Machina is a world for itself, and the 2024 remastered version brings us a 2-CD release, with disc one containing the original ten tracks and disc two offering a variety of demo versions, remixes, and some live recordings, however, nothing, which has not been released before. The - let's call it - original disc opens with a tenebrous and slightly vicious intro, "Requiem", a minimalistic but very atmospheric instrumental song, which then flows into the eponymous track, a great representation of what the album is. "Deus Ex Machina" sets the tone for the rest of the album with its dark and brooding lyrics, and its following composition, "In The Heart Of Juliet", depicts the contrasting play between darker and lighter songs, which intertwine throughout the tracklist. Going back in time, this was an era where Theatre Of Tragedy was shifting between its heavy doom-influenced gothic metal of Theatre Of Tragedy and Velvet Darkness They Fear to a more seductive and charming sound of Aégis, oozed with sombre romanticism and exploring the soundscapes to its maximum. So, it is no surprise that Liv Kristine's solo work was somehow in the vein of it.
The album delivers some saturnine tracks, filled with a sense of melancholy, such as a dreamy duet with Nick Holmes from Paradise Lost, "3 A.M.", deeply vile "Huldra Part I" and an eerie version of an over a century-old Scandinavian folk song, "Portrait: Ei Tulle med Øyne Blå". Juxtaposing these tracks, the album also delivers charming and pop-like tunes such as "Waves Of Green" and "Take Good Care", yet when the curtains fall, it ends up again in an abysmal and pitch-black "Outro".
Furthermore, disc 2 combines remixes, demo shootings and live recordings released on different EPs between 1998 and 1999. The five remixes of "3 A.M." explore different varieties of the profound soundscapes the track delivers, with the "No Loop Mix" version standing out, as this version strips down the song to its core, thus making it even more visceral and nerve-striking as the original version. The continuation of "Hulda Part I", "Huldra Part II" deepens the musky vibe and intensifies the haunting and musky atmosphere of the original version, immersing listeners in a dark and captivating sonic experience. The second disc also features "Sun In The Stream" and "Inamorata" (both in two versions); two tracks which perhaps did not make the final cut on the original release, both filled with dreamy and poppy sonic vibes, which portrayed the musical path she was going for later on with her future solo releases.
As for Liv Kristine's vocal work -she is well known for her distinctive, candy voice (as she names it). Through the years, she has evolved as a singer massively, with her abilities expanding and adding more volume to her voice, being able to capture different styles and adapting to performing in various music genres. While Liv Kristine's solo career illustrates her individual artistic expression and has allowed her to explore different musical genres throughout the past two decades, Deus Ex Machina is solid proof that Theatre Of Tragedy's significant style was essential in shaping the unique sound and captivating storytelling of her debut album.
All in all, this remastered version is a cherry on top and a must-have for all Liv Kristine's fans. What is and has been the stellar feature of Deus Ex Machina is its incredible atmosphere, with a strong contrast between the gloomy tracks and the pop-like tunes, which creates a captivating and hypnotizing dynamic. While the solemn tracks evoke a sense of darkness and mystery, the pop-inspired tunes bring a lightness and playfulness to the album, showcasing its versatility and authenticity.
The review was written by Ines
Rating: 8/10