 September 2004 - Tombstone.gr (8/10) - (Reissued version) March / 2002 - Metal Observer Webzine (7,5/10) Issue #5 2001 - Vampiria Magazine (75/100) January 2001 - Tombstone.gr (7/10) November 2000 - Urkraft.cjb.net (9/10) Issue #3 September 2000 - Agonia Magazine (4/5) - Review of promo 2 Review of "BlackArts" (rerelease) from "KREPESKULUM WEBZINE". Rated 5/5 "One of the best melodic black metal acts around the world; the one-man-band ELVIRA MADIGAN re-released this fabulous debut album with re-mastered and re-mixed tracks, a gift to all fans around the world. I’m a great admirer of the music created by the privileged mind of Marcus H. Madigan, he is really creative and innovative creating epic prog melodic black metal masterpieces as all 12 tracks of this album, more than 57 minutes of innovative black metal voyages, with deep, dark, epic, sad and powerful climates that touch our hearts and souls. The booklet of this version are beautiful and luxuous and the cover artwork of legendary Royo is simple the best! Extraordinary!" - Krepeskulum staff <<< Back Review of "BlackArts" (rerelease) from "TOMBSTONE.GR WEBZINE". Rated 8/10 "This is a re-release of an older album of the band and our initial review still stands strong. This one man band is absolutely great and now that the production is improved with the re-release it is even better. The music is a mix between black metal, folk metal and symphonic metal with lots of melodies and some very cool atmospheric passages. The production is improved as we already mentioned but the bonus tracks (from the demo) are missing for this re-release. To be absolutely honest I was kind of disappointed from the current black metal scene since more and more bands tend to repeat the same things over and over, until this guy send me his albums and I regained hope that something actually new and interesting can come out again. Creativity, imagination and inspiration are qualities that come in short supplies lately, but this Swedish guy seems to have tons of them in reserve." - Tombstone staff <<< Back Review of "BlackArts" from "VAE-SOLIS WEBZINE". Rated 6/6 + Further awarded "Black Arts comes in the shape of superb digipack, blissfully disguised in the artwork courtesy of Luis Royo, whilst the musical canvas didn't justify my expectations when it comes to it's, what I thought of obvious, contents. FORTUNATELY didn't justify. I mean, I was expecting to hear muddy sounds of yet another SUMMONING copycat, however I was twice as surprised when I found out it was not! ELVIRA MADIGAN deliver deeply atmospheric, fascinating music which you would be wrong reckoning to the genre of black metal. In fact, you would be wrong in any other case, since Marcus (the ONLY living soul behind ELVIRA MADIGAN) successfully passed on all possible cliches creating a unique blend of what may be loosely defined as fantasy metal of his own. I suppose, it doesn't have anything to do with Mr.Tolkien's heritage, however it's still 'fantasy' to the core, at least judging by the ambiences Black Arts is filled with. Inimitable and, what's more, fascinating guitar passages accompanied by floating-alike synth-lines as well as enigmatic vocals (the 'clean' ones are beyond tremendousness, so to say) and unique approach to music. In spite of this CD's length (approx. 76 minutes), nothing - NOTHING and NO ONE is capable of making you stop this charming listening experience. If it's not perfection, I honestly have no idea what else should it be." - Herr Stahlhammar BLACKARTS ALSO WON: - "Best newcomer" - "Best self-released CD" - "2nd place best unsigned band" - "3rd place Top 50 albums of the issue" - "3rd place Top 5 semi-black metal efforts" <<< Back Review of "BlackArts" from "METAL OBSERVER WEBZINE". Rated 7,5/10 "ELVIRA MADIGAN is a Swedish one-man-project hailing from Rönninge. Marcus Hammarström is the name of the brain behind it and not only given the fact that this CD has been released on his own label Northlore it is pretty remarkable. What strikes first is the great packaging, coming in a noble DigiPak with a classical cover by none other than Spanish artist Luis Royo. A perfect start for a CD in my eyes, given my known affinity for the visual arts on the covers. But can the musical performance live up to the great looks? Only too often labels and bands try to mask failing musical prowess with dazzling visual displays, so how does ELVIRA MADIGAN fare in this department? Well, it has taken me quite a while to get warm with the musical material on offer, because it is not easily pinned down. To simply label it as Melodic Black Metal would do the diverse material no favour, because it is far more than just that. The often quite long compositions unite many different tempos and atmospheres within them, yet without getting progressive, while also vocally Hammarström uses both his grim voice as well as some clear passages to loosen up and instrumentals like "Gwenhwyfar" do their part to bring some well-aimed calmer diversity to the at times quite fast compositions, which though never lose focus or melody. Sure, Melodic Black is a main ingredient of the music, but often it also ventures into more traditional Metal-forms or takes up some Gothic atmosphere, which as a whole sums up to a very diverse album, which makes it very hard to be put into words. The production in general has turned out pretty well, too, only the vocals at times are too far in the background, which still takes away a bit of the effectiveness, and some vacillations can be detected as well, yet given the circumstances of Hammarström doing it ALL completely alone, this is paling compared to the achievement altogether. To name certain tracks is nearly impossible, so I refrain from doing so, just know that if you like your Metal diverse, interesting and have no problems with some grim vocals you really should check out ELVIRA MADIGAN, you should not regret it." - The Metal Observer staff <<< Back Review of "BlackArts" from "VAMPIRIA MAGAZINE". Rated 75/100 "Strongly Guitar oriented work of Avantgardish Black Metal with great classical influences and performed by an one-man band represented by M. Hammarström. In the question I made him for the compilation about the meaning of this project for him, he said that ELVIRA MADIGAN was the vessel on which he tries creating vivid landscapes both musically and lyrically. For Marcus ELVIRA MADIGAN is his ultimate form of expression and harbours all he holds dear. A very great description of the feeling that unites this creature to his creator. In this ?Black Arts? you will find also 5 bonus tracks taken from his debut release for a total of 17 songs that will enter into your soul like a virus, destroying it all. I like his music because you succeed to feel the passion and the ardour he feels composing and playing such music. 75 minutes of great art, or as he say of Black Arts structured in a Symphonic way and with a great taste. Not easy, but unconditionally good." - Fransesco Palumbo For Magazine contacts: VAMPIRIA mag. c/o Francesco Palumbo Via San Clemente 106 84015 Nocera Superiore - SA ITALY vampiria@inwind.it <<< Back Review of "BlackArts" from "TOMBSTONE.GR WEBZINE". Rated 7/10 "Now there is a guy with some creativity and imagination. Elvira Madigan are a one man band playing a hybrid of Black Metal, symphonic metal and folk music. Though all these types of music are quite diverse and strangers between them the guy has managed to blend together in an excellent way. The resulting music has power, melodies and emotions enough to catch your interest. Very good arrangements, than manage to bring to the surface the best from each style and good songs. Of course nothing is perfect and there are still things that can be improved. But I have the feeling that most of these could be corrected with the use of a proper band and with a proper production. The album features 17 songs and lasts more than 75 minutes, since except the actual album you’ll also find an earlier demo. We should also comment about the excellent digi pack. Very nice packaging indeed, despite being a self financed album, since the guy who owns the label is the only member of the band as well. Worth your attention since it presents a fresh view on several styles of music." - Tombstone staff <<< Back Review of "BlackArts" from "URKRAFT.CJB.NET WEBZINE" (formerly "0132 Webzine"). Rated 9/10 "This one took me by surprise to say the least! Elvira Madigan is the brain-child of a very talented man named Marcus Hammarström. He wrote all the songs for this release by himself; he plays all the instruments (electric/classical guitars, bass guitar, keyboards, drumprogramming and clean/growl vocals) and he owns the studio (MadiganStudios) in which he recorded/produced/mixed and mastered Black Arts. And as this isn't enough the album is released through his own record company, Nortlore Productions. Damn, if I only had 1% of his talent! (jealousy taking over here). The vocals are performed in Swedish and I presume Mr.Hammarström has taken some poerty/writing classes, because the lyrics are extremely well written in my opinion (IMO for all you computer nerds out there :)). I usually despise Swedish lyrics in metal but Elvira Madigan makes it work well. Maybe I'd like this even more if the lyrics were in English though. Now to the essence; le musique. This is melodic, folklore inspired black metal with a great amount of keyboards to enhance the musical landscape further. It sounds very 'old-school'. Not Mayhem old-school, but Satyricon (Dark Medevial Times)/Dimmu Borgir (For All Tid) old-school. Gotta love it! And although the production is somewhat dry, EM manages to create a wall of sounds using tons of intrument layers stacked upon one another. Black Arts has a mighty feel to it. Next time I suggest another studio or some help with the production (a second opinion) to make the sound a bit 'heavier'. One can get somewhat blind to certain aspects in the production when doing everything alone. You can order this album straight from the official EM homepage (www.elviramadigan.com), which is run by Mr.H himself. Do it now! Oh btw, Mr.H has also designed the beautiful digi-pack cover, with art by Luis Royo. Fuck, I'm jealous!" - Stefan Lejon <<< Back Review of promo for "BlackArts" from "AGONIA MAGAZINE". Rated 4/5 "This three track promo CD is an introduction to a debut full-lenght album of this one-man project from Sweden. The album orginally had to be published by Hammerheart Records however Marcus decided to realase it himself. If you are alone you need a lot of money to make it real... The promo CD was published in very proffesional and elegant way. I like its sleeve. Elvira Madigans is a gothic black/thrash band with some art rock influences. It is not another trendy freak: it is well sounding and also well, quality performed picee of Metal. Marcus's skills are imposing. He know how to do a good music: when he should slow down and when is high time to attack. I am impatient and I am waiting for Elvira Madigan's album. Recomended!" - Filip Jesion <<< Back |