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ENJOY ETERNAL BLISS

Yndi Halda

Post Rock/Math rock


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Yndi Halda Enjoy Eternal Bliss album cover
4.02 | 46 ratings | 8 reviews | 37% 5 stars

Excellent addition to any
prog rock music collection

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Singles/EPs/Fan Club/Promo, released in 2005

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Dash and Blast (16:48)
2. We Flood Empty Lakes (11:44)
3. A Song For Starlit Beaches (19:44) (bonus track on the 2006 re-release)
4. Illuminate My Heart, My Darling! (17:34)

Line-up / Musicians

- Jack Lambert / guitars
- James Vella / guitar, glockenspinel, lapsteel, banjo, piano
- Brendan Grieve / bass
- Daniel Neal / violin
- Oliver Newton / drums

Releases information

Originally released independantly with 300 individual hand-made covers and not including "A Song For Starlit Beaches), released in November 2006 by Big Scary Monsters (UK/Europe), Burnt Toast Vinyl (US) and XTAL (Japan).

"The title "EP" is often called into question due to the record's length. Indeed, only the UK edition of "Enjoy Eternal Bliss" was titled as such - in all other territories it was renamed as an LP or full-length album on behalf of the band." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enjoy_Eternal_Bliss)

Thanks to Bryan for the addition
and to NotAProghead for the last updates
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YNDI HALDA Enjoy Eternal Bliss ratings distribution


4.02
(46 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(37%)
37%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(41%)
41%
Good, but non-essential (13%)
13%
Collectors/fans only (9%)
9%
Poor. Only for completionists (0%)
0%

YNDI HALDA Enjoy Eternal Bliss reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by GoldenSpiral
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
4 stars Wow, for a debut EP from a post-rock band (there seem to be so many these days) this is EXTREMELY promising. I think this band has made epic post-rock into a science. They've mastered the art of making raw emotion out of minimalist instrumental music, and they've only released three songs. While they are intensely good at what they do, one cannot really say that they are entirely original. To imagine their sound, simply combine what you know about the intense build-ups of Mono, the jungle-thick layering of Explosions in the Sky, and add the instrumental orchestration of Sigur Ros. The three epic tracks on this EP are each roughly of the same format. They build from light instrumental melodies to thunderous musical orgasms, then retreat and repeat the cycle with different themes. They seem to have found a formula, but boy oh boy is it an effective formula. If the purpose of epic post-rock is to create emotion from instrumental music, then Yndi Halda create simultaneous passion, joy, lament, dejection and elation in one fell swoop. All three tracks are good, but the final one, 'Illuminate My Heart, My Darling' is a seventeen and a half-minute masterpiece. This is definitely a Four-Star EP, and I look forward to hearing much more from this impressive band.
Review by Easy Livin
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin
4 stars An EP? Then I'm a Dutchman!

If this is an EP, then I must be related in some way to Erik, our famous member from Holland.

Consisting of four tracks ranging from 12 to 20 minutes, this 65 minute presentation outlasts, by a considerable margin, the majority of albums listed on this site. Admittedly the 20 minute track "A song for starlit beaches" was not included on the original version, but I shudder to think how long a full album by the band will be.

The music here is firmly rooted in the Post Rock of EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY and MOGWAI. What differentiates Yndi Halda though is the comparative diversity of the sounds and instruments used. In particular, the contribution of violinist Daniel Neal offers a pleasant distraction from the constant guitar riffs of many of Yndi Halda's peers.

As is the custom with post rock albums, the music builds from quiet passages to loud crescendos, the lead guitars taking over for such events. On the first track "Dash and blast" we even have, dare I say it, vocals. These are towards the end of the piece, and in the form of Hari Krishna like chanting.

There is generally a variety within the compositions which sets this album apart from many post rock recordings. While the repetition which defines the genre is very much present, the band to not tend to dwell on a single theme for protracted periods like so many post rock bands. "We flood empty lakes", moves through a number of connected but varied themes during its 12 or so minutes.

The 20 minute "A song for starlit beaches" features banjo and piano, both played by multi-instrumentalist James Vella, once again giving the track a different vitality. Neal's violin work at times give the piece a lush orchestrated atmosphere. The recording quality on this track is poor though, making the guitar work sound rather tinny.

The album closes with "Illuminate my heart, my darling!", a romantic title perhaps, but the track is very much business as usual.

If I have a criticism, it is my usual irritation with post rock relating to the overly phonetic drumming. Admittedly at times here it the drumming is quite adventurous, but there parts where I feel it is just too much a case of hitting everything in sight in time to the music.

In my view, repetitive music such as this has as much in common with trance as it does with prog. It is certainly a long way from the traditional prog of the 1970's, with little to relate it back to the classics of that period. Heard as an example of this fairly recent genre though, this is a fine effort.

Review by Prog-jester
PROG REVIEWER
5 stars Enjoy eternal bliss? Thanks, already did!

Don’t ask me how I got this album, it is long and confusing story with somewhat criminal background :). I heard that YNDI HALDA is some kind of “if GY!BE is dark, than YNDI HALDA is light” kind of thing, so I expected some cheesy song-oriented pieces. Thanks God, there’s MySpace, always ready for response. I gave a listen to tracks posted there and my mind was lost. I got the album and now writing this review. Quite traditional and predictable way of things, isn’t it?

1. DASH AND BLAST (10/10) – after 2 minutes of ambiance the Music starts, one of the most beautiful and mellowest tunes I ever heard. After first (mid)climax the main theme begins again, a bit changed, altered, with new shades, new approach, and it brilliantly splashes into breath-holding climax, with choir this time and gentle violin line. Awesome.

2. WE FLOOD EMPTY LAKES (10/10) – from the very start an astonishing track. Deep strings, sustained guitars, marchy drumming – YNDI HALDA manage to make MUSIC from usual Post-Rock clichés, and their melodic gift is simply astounding. Another climax is worth of wait- very powerful coda.

3. A SONG FOR STARLIT BEACHES (7/10) – it’s not like I dislike this track…It’s beautiful, it has some vocals, and even out-of- tune violin serves well here. The problem is that this track (20 min long, btw!) was added in re-released versions of the album, so it sounds noticeably “out-of-place” here, despite the obvious yndihaldian vibe filling it from beginning to end. I mean, sometimes less is more and I recommend everyone to get 3-tracks edition best (forget your greed and leave this track to angels!).

4. ILLUMINATE MY HEART, MY DARLING! (10+/10) – named so sentimental, this is my favouritest track here (though they’re all great). Again slow-building textures, leading to inescapable climaxes, again stunning melodies and essential sense of taste, again few different moods finding harmony inside one piece of Music…genius, this is it.

Okay, first of all, this is not just “lighter GODSPEEDz”. I believe YNDI HALDA’s music is far more deeper, more opened and enjoyable (not “easier-to-get-into” though). If GY!BE were Yin, than YNDI HALDA is Yang. If GY!BE were an art-house movie, YNDI HALDA made a good yet reasonable final to it. If GY!BE were just WRITING the word “HOPE” on their screens, YNDI HALDA installed this vibe into every note they played. If GY!BE can be accused of hiding behind their ideas in lo-fi recordings and insane- preachers-samples, YNDI HALDA are more open as any other band in Post-Rock. They create music, not ideas. Sometimes it works much better, y’know.

Extremely recommended!!!

Review by Mellotron Storm
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars YNDI HALDA are fom Canterbury in the UK, and their name is apparently from the Old Norse language and means "enjoy eternal bliss" of course that's the name of the album here. The violin is very prominant and that for me brings GODSPEED YOU! BLACK EMPEROR to mind more than any other band. Like a lot of Post-Rock this does require some patience during the slow buildups, but they are often so beautiful sounding that I found myself getting lost in the music during these times. And when the climax comes it's overwhelming at times. I have to thank Prog-jeter for recommending these guys to me, and his 5 star rating is not an exaggeration in the least.There is some flute, banjo, clarinet and trumpet added as well.

"Dash And Bolt" opens ever so quietly with what sounds like synth sounds slowly rising and falling for over 2 minutes. Then a fuller band sound comes in with drums, guitar and violin providing such a beautful melody. A power surge arrives 5 minutes in as this same melody becomes louder and more passionate.Then 7 1/2 minutes in it calms right down very abruptly. It sort of meanders along for the next 5 minutes before a fuller sound returns 12 1/2 minutes in. This section sounds so good. The drums are marching-like and the overall sound is brighter and more cheerful. Some nice flute melodies after 14 minutes before the happiness returns with vocal melodies added this time. It calms right down after 16 minutes with violin to end song. "We Flood Empty Lakes" opens with mournful violin melodies dominating the sound as drums come in. It settles down 3 minutes in and starts to build with guitar joining in to a full sound. The sound becomes powerful 4 1/2 minutes in for a minute. Nice. Then a calm returns as guitar and the sound of water can be heard. Violin joins in around the 7 minute mark as tempo starts to pick up. A full crushing sound 10 minutes in as the heavens are falling.

"A Song For Starlit Beaches" opens with gentle guitar as drums and violin join in. The sound is building 5 minutes in until it calms right down after 6 minutes. Piano is all you can hear before light drums and violin come in. The sound is building again. After 10 minutes it really starts to build quickly as guitar has joined in. Then 12 1/2 minutes it erupts spewing out a powerful sound for a minute. It then calms down with violin playing emotionally. Violin stops 16 minutes in as all you can hear is gentle guitar and almost whispered vocals. Banjo comes in a minute later, then violin as the sound builds with some blistering guitar to end it. "Illuminate My Heart,My Darling !" sounds so good as it opens with violin and guitar that begin to build 2 1/2 minutes in. It's built a minute later as we are hit with a crushing sound. It calms down before 4 1/2 minutes as violin only can be heard. The others join in until the guitar is ripping it up 7 1/2 minutes in with an avalanche of sound. Another calm 9 minutes in as guitars tastefully play on and on. A fuller sound after 12 minutes as drums and violin join in. We are building to perhaps the most furious sound i've ever heard 15 1/2 minutes in as the tempo picks up. My God ! The last minute of the song seems to limp along, broken from the assault.

This a must have for all you Post-Rock fans out there.

Review by Dim
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars Yndi Halda, a quintet hailing from the capitol of prog rock itself! This band is a mixture of the happy clean guitars of Explosions in the sky, combined with the epicness of Godspeed, and a little bit of Mogwai-ish grooves thrown into blender, and served with chips that take anywhere between ten and twenty minutes to eat. The music is happy, straight forward, and without any melancholics completely. You're probably asking yourself is this really post rock? Why yes, yes it is. And though I am a fan of the happier more prettier side of post rock as well as the darker stuff, this one is not without flaws.

There are four songs on this ermm... hour long EP(?). All of them built on the GY!BEian climax, strings build to guitar arpeggios, guitar arpeggios bring in full band, full band starts playing louder faster, guitars get crunchier, drums fill more, and the strings slowly get faded out. A little too typical if you were to ask me. This group will switch it up every once in awhile, they wont go into seemingly pointless ambient sections, or go into a monologue about how some guy profocises the future. No this band is all about the music, there is always a lead guitar playing somewhere, a violin sifting through the gentle music, and even a drum beat throughout most of the time. Of course too much is too much, I wouldn't mind a little of the ambiance or a monologue thrown in there, cause honestly, there are points of monotony, especially in the longer songs. It's just extremely hard for me to keep up with these epic bands, when there isn't a little diversity to cut through the layers and layers of sweet harmonious guitars.

The first two songs are the best IMO, they keep most of my interest, and they remind me of pg.lost if they were to extend their songs a little longer: Climactic, happy, beautiful. Filled with the delayed clean distorted guitar which will never get old as long as there is good post rock going around. The next half of the album does get a bit darker and experimental, throwing in some piano, banjo, horns, and even some vocals. The songs are way too long though, if the third song, A song for starlit beaches were to be cut into two songs, I would be much happier, and the album would flow a little more, but this twenty minute epic just seems to drag with me, and even the the climaxis climactic, and the epicocity at it's peak, the song is just too long. The last song definitely holds the biggest GY!BE influence, with a semi darkish feel, and somewhat technical drumming thrown in there, you actually do feel a sense of diversity thrown in there, but still I feel this song just meanders a bit, and just flows into wherever it want. When Kayo Dot does that I like it, when Yndi Halda tries it, it's not the same.

Really this is a pretty solid... EP(?), all the songs have some excellent tear jerking moments, but I cant bring myself to give this EP(?) a four star rating. They may be drawing on their influences a bit too much, or maybe they just get too lost in their compositions, and get carried away. Either way, I'm sad to say that I doubt Yndi Halda will be pumping out anymore quality material, on their myspace, they say evil things like we no longer shun pop music, we made our first record when we were children, and we are no longer instrumental. I predict the future of this band will be grim. As for their first EP (?), three stars.

Review by snobb
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
4 stars Debut 3-songs EP, released by this excellent Canterbury-based post rock band was later expanded to full format album (CD or 2 x LP in States), adding one more bonus song.

The music is dreamy, acoustic, complex, and you really can feel this old Canterbury roots: light psychedelic and light folksy scents. Very first composition "Dash & Blast" is 16+ minutes long melodic, perfectly strings arranged instrumental with light melancholy somewhere under the skin. Second song (11+ minutes) starts with slow violin, guitars and drums interplay, melted in beautiful modern folksy melody. In a moments it reminds Mike Oldfield best, earlier folksy works.

"Illuminate My Heart, My Darlin" starts as acoustic guitar dark ballade, very airy and full of some sad beauty. Slowly the song grow up to full -instruments piece, continuing same musical theme. Violin sound is one of the main, as in all other album's songs. "A Song For Starlit Beaches" is fourth song, coming as bonus for later releases, is longest one (almost 20 minutes), and are logical album's addition, with similar down-tempo string/acoustic nice melody. Possibly, a bit too similar to previous songs, but perfect when standing alone.

Strong work, one of most interesting post-rock debut album I can remember.

Review by Warthur
PROG REVIEWER
5 stars Beefed up from its original EP release with the addition of the nearly 20 minute epic A Song For Starlit Beaches (though really, how many EPs run for 46 minutes as the original release did?), Yndi Halda's Enjoy Eternal Bliss offers a more peaceful and meditative side of post-rock than many competitors in the genre, as well as presenting a quality of production that is impressive even considering how good DIY recording technology had got in 2005. A lesser- hailed post-rock number than more prominent releases by the likes of Godspeed You Black Emperor or A Silver Mt. Zion, and one which doesn't deserve its obscurity.
Review by TCat
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin
3 stars Except for one other demo album, this is so far the only album from this band. Coming from the UK, this band created this album when they were going to school, so I guess you could say it's a boy band. But you won't see them in any boy band circles for sure. They are a far cry from anything commercial. They are definitely a post rock band along the likes of Mono more than anything. You could even call them "GY!BE-lite". And I mean lite as in heavy-lite, not dark-light.

Unfortunately, that is where their fault lies. The reason that GY!BE is such an outstanding band and Yndi Halda is just a good band is because YH does not deviate much from the typical well- worn pattern that post rock is famous for where GY!BE is so much more dynamic and use a lot more variation in that pattern, they are not afraid to use variation of that formula. YH take the typical post-rock pattern of starting out soft and quiet and meandering along on a slow cresecendo until they reach a climax, usually repeating that pattern one more time with a slight variation in melody and then they call that a complete song. This pattern repeats itself 4 times on this album, the shortest time is just over 10 minutes and the longest close to 20 minutes, so they take their time as you can see to explore that pattern.

The third track "A Song for Starlit Beaches", was apparently added to the E.P. for the 2006 international re-issue of the album to make it more album length even though it is still considered an E.P. (although this makes the playing time at 65 minutes). This in my opinion, is the best track. It still follows the same pattern, but has a more discernible and beautiful melody, plus a few extra instruments are added in like a banjo and piano. There is a short vocal section also. The additional instruments are too underutilized however and if you are not paying close attention, the track pretty much ends up sounding a lot the same. But if there is a standout, this is it.

No doubt that there is some beauty in their melodies that are usually played by the solo violin and the slow churning songs, but the pattern does get old after the first 20 minutes of the album, and it gets frustrating when you come to the understanding that it isn't going to change too much. Granted, this was their first official recording, so I should be giving some slack here. It would be nice to see if they can expand on the sound they have established. But from what I have been reading about the band, they have talked about a follow up album for a few years now, and in 2014, they finally were reportedly back in the studio, but they have commented that their style has changed to focusing on acoustic instruments with more vocals. This could be good or bad, depending on just how far they go in attempting to popularize their sound. As of yet, that remains to be seen.

So, we have a decent post-rock album that does not break any mold or tradition. You can hear this same pattern with some variation in earlier Mono and Mogwai recordings, but both bands have continued to expand on this pattern. GY!BE has also far surpassed this pattern, even in their first official album. For these reasons, and for the fact that there just isn't enough variation in the pattern throughout this album, I can only call it a non-essential album. No doubt, if the band had continued to explore the genre, they would have probably been producing much better music by now. If you are a post-rock lover and you don't mind any deviation from the well-known post-rock pattern, then this is for you. It does work well as background music, but otherwise can be hard to listen too because of it's lack of variety and ingenuity. 3 stars.

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