Emblem (Selected Pieces) reviews:

Solo Piano Publications
by Michael Debbage

Celebrating the closing chapters of the dragonfly trilogy, Emblem is a retrospective collection of Amethystium music to date with a little twist. Featuring personal liner notes from the artist, the music has been re-mastered and also includes a couple of surprises making Emblem not only a good introduction to new fans but also enticing the established supporter.

Norway’s Oystein Ramfjord, better known as Amethystium, began creating his freshman effort Odonata in his late teens though it was not officially released until 2001 by which time he had turned 20. Much like his label mate, Ryan Farish, the insignia of Amethystium’ music revolves around swirling synthesizers, progressive drum loops and a rhythmic bass line. However the almost Gregorian chants fetch a mystical factor that differentiates him from the more optimistic Farish bringing comparison more in line with the ambient group Enigma. However, Amethystium conveys his own musical message.

Creating a retrospective will never please everyone as each individual has their own preconceived favorites. That said, Odonata and the most recent effort Evermind is represented by four tracks each while Aphelion is accredited five tracks to its name. To even the distribution, the album closes out with two bonus tracks that will entice even the Amethystium loyalists.

The first surprise is “Meadowlands” that was previously recorded for a 2000 demo around the time of the Odonata sessions. According to the personal liner notes the melody line is intact however it is a re-working of the recording process. In addition, there is the closing track “Anthemoessa” that was created during the Evermind sessions or thereabouts, but for whatever reason did not make the album. Neither tracks represent after thoughts but rather continue to display Ametheystium’s unique ability to integrate melancholy mystical ambient themes with just enough melodic sensibilities to keep matters accessible.

Emblem essentially closes the book on the dragonfly trilogy. It also represents the depth and integrity of an artist capable of composing with consistent high marks. For the established fans there might not be enough new material here to shell out their valuable consumer dollars however completists will find the decision an easy one. For the uninitiated this is a good place to find a new musical friend keeping in mind there is really no such thing as a “best of” when it comes to Amethystium. He really is consistently that good and that is an emblem to be proud of.

The Sounding Board / New Age Reporter
by R J Lannan

Somewhere past the home of Enigma, along the road to Paul Schwartz and around the corner from Delerium is the house that Oystein Ramfjord built and it is called Amethystium. His structure is a lofty edifice teeming with tier upon tier of haunting vocals, memorable sound vignettes and atmospheric fairytales. His road to success is now chronicled in the album Emblem. Ramfjord is a musical wizard whose style would be at ease inside a Tolkien novel, a Middle Eastern oasis or on a journey to Jostedalsbreen , Norway's longest glacier. If anything the music of Amethystium gives credence to a new world of imagination.

These fifteen pieces are from his first three albums, Odonata, Aphelion, and Evermind, (the Dragonfly Trilogy), a series of recordings that has garnered him a plethora of New Age fans world wide. Just follow the dragonfly...

Ethereal (Odonata) exemplifies the wind swept movements, haunting piano and the serene atmosphere that Amethystium creates song after song. It conveys the amazing feeling of discovery and the reward of peace that is attained when we accept our surroundings.

Arcus (Evermind) is perhaps another way of traveling full circle on the path of life. The song contains beautiful ephemeral vocals for us and comfortable sound memories for Ramfjord. The haunting voice is perchance an echo from the past and the moderate tempo and melody are the footsteps of the present that return to familiar places.

Autumn Interlude (Aphelion) has its title taken from a Steven Hewitt poem. The song contains a wraithlike mix of male chant background, celestial female voice and a dulcet melody that is very soothing. The piano is something Ronan Hardiman might play in exaltation of the season.

Featuring the muted sound of Shakuhachi flute, Odyssey (Odonata) is the journey you take across rippling blue oceans, over dusty, sun drenched plains and perhaps even between mountain-covered continents. From the east to the west the passage is fraught with the excitement of discovery. Each new land brings gifts of knowledge, invention and newfound peace.

In Elvensong (Aphelion) you can actually hear the wings of the dragonfly as he flitters from reed to reed dappling the water’s surface like a single raindrop. On the fly he is ever the explorer, the discoverer and the predator. In the music our winged warrior guide takes us to the land of the elves. It is a magical place where the pursuit of peace and learning are paramount to the existence of a legendary society. This is an excellent piano, bass and cello combination that flies on gossamer wings and lands like cloud mist. It is one of the best of the album and a definitive example of Amethystium’s work.

Oystein Ramfjord started this project in his teens and received immediate success not only in Norway , but world wide. It didn’t take long for him to have a following of fans that hold their collective breaths between each new release and are wholly contented with the offerings. I must say that I enjoyed the sonic landscapes tremendously. All the elements, the voices, male and female, the bass rhythms, the flowing melodies and the overall theme was soothing and satisfying. Now I’ll have to go chase down all his albums. But it will be worth it.