ENJOY ETERNAL BLISS

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.