Sacred Groves Review
Album art by Duckie.
Buy SAcred Groves
When I first saw the album art for Sacred Groves, I only had one question—what exactly is Celtic VGM? Thankfully, it didn’t take long for Psamathes to answer this question. Album opener “Kaer Morhen” delights the listener with reverb-soaked choir vocals while lead vocals weave in and out of the mix like a professional ballet dancer. Everything that you hear on this album is coming from one musical source, Psamathes.
For those who don’t know Psamathes, she delivers powerhouse vocal performances, frequently collaborates with other VGM artists, and loves pizza. Her Pillow Covers series with Kain White are a showcase of her extraordinary range as both a singer and an arranger, but with Sacred Groves, her skills have been to the test. With the help of album artist Duckie and masteering engineer AHmusic, Psamathes has created an album that’s engaging as it is ethereal.
For starters, Psamathes uses her own invented language on Sacred Groves. Yes, that’s right. Psamathes sings in her own language, dubbed Psamathese, which “blends influences from many different languages stemming from Italian, Latin, Japanese and Scandinavian languages.” The effect on the album is immediate as it is affecting, creating an otherworldly feeling akin to the Elvish songs heard in the Lord of the Rings movies. In her own words, Psamathese, “is meant to give listeners freedom of interpretation on a deeper level, conveying emotions beyond the meaning of words.” Of course, lyrics will fall flat without the proper vocal delivery, but not to worry—Psamathes most certainly delivers.
Here, dear reader, is where my musical lexicon fails me. I wish I could describe in detail these lovingly crafted arrangements, but I’ll do my best. Truth be told, I could talk at length about every single track on Sacred Groves, but I’ll highlight my favorite track “Reflection.”
“Reflection” is a triumph on every level, to put it blunty. The original track was already emotionally-charged, but Psamathes taps into something supernatural with her arrangement. As the name implies, “Reflection” is a more somber affair, something akin to sitting alone on a park bench watching the world pass you by. As the song progresses, the internal conflict rises. Maybe, you witness a couple enjoying a picnic together, and a pang of regret grips your heart. By the end, the soaring vocals signal an end to the introspection; life goes on as does Sacred Groves.
Psamathes strikes a delicate balance with Sacred Groves. Tracks like “Reflection” are balanced out by more light-hearted affairs such as “Primrose, the Dancer” or more epic tracks like “Kaer Morhen”. There is an inherent risk to making an album such as this, but Psamathes gives such care and attention to each track that there’s no risk of them blending together. At the same time, the album sounds like a cohesive whole, a dense tapestry of layered vocals, all provided by a master songstress.
With Sacred Groves, Psamathes proves herself as not only a vocalist and arranger, but also as a storyteller. The album gently guides the listener through everchanging dreamscapes, some fantastic and others daunting. By the end of the journey, I can promise you one thing—you’ll be desperate to return to Sacred Groves.
RATING: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
(Most VGM Fans Should Enjoy)