Wuthering Heights - To Travel For Evermore
Sensory / Lucretia
Progressive Power Folk Metal
9 songs (57'06")
Release year: 2002
Wuthering Heights
Reviewed by Alex

Last time Wuthering Heights released their album (the debut Within) it took Metalreviews a long time to get to it. So, I decided to jump the gun this time and alert the public that the follow-up To Travel For Evermore has been released on Sensory Records. I simply think that the art of this group of skilled musicians should not go unnoticed.

Aside from King Diamond and famous producer Fleming Rasmussen not much metal has been coming out of Denmark. Guitarist/songwriter/band leader Erik Ravn has attempted to change that with Wuthering Heights. This classically trained musician enlisted the services of former Tad Morose vocalist Krille Andren, a few other interested people and embarked on what is supposed to be a three part progressive power somewhat concept series. To Travel For Evermore is the second installment.

Aside the new drummer (Morten Sørensen of Aurora), additional guitarist (Henrik Flyman of Zool) and new bassist (Lorenzo Deho of Time Machine) several changes jumped out at me compared to the debut Within. The production, especially drums and guitar, is much improved. The drums are quite a bit more powerful and come to the forefront without distracting. The high frequency, "buzzing bee" sound of the guitar became much cleaner. Good changes! Violin is not present on any of the tracks, and that is too bad, as it gave Wuthering Heights a special flavor. Nevertheless, the music is still very much folk oriented. One can find melodic lines of Hungarian chardash dance (Battle Of The Seasons), Irish folk music with a flute and German polka (See Tomorrow Shine) and Gypsy beats in the closer River Oblivion. Compared to the debut there are several more straightforward, power metal oriented songs played with conviction. The Nevershining Stones with its classic piano interlude and catchy See Tomorrow Shine with its slightly off-kilter drumming qualify. Howewer, the majority of the tracks are the sum of the complex parts. Acoustic guitar and heavier riffs alternate, Ravn showcases some fingertwisting sweeping solos, rhythm changes abound and keyboards impinge on the guitar at times. The instrumental Battle Of The Seasons reminded me in this regard of Andromeda, but it is much more neo-classical than jazzy, and the keyboard is not quite as spacey. A Sinner's Confession is broken down in four sub-parts for easier digestion, but I am not sure it would help the listener to sort out the millions of jigsaw puzzle pieces. Andren's touching vocals are extremely suitable for the story of Time and Space Traveller. Combined with excellent arrangements I figure they would make a good soundtrack for a fantasy movie.

Wuthering Heights is all about non-commercial excellent musicianship and progressive nature of the music. Sometimes the complexity of the music and the number of rhythm changes in one song overwhelm and make it not easy to follow. Band members certainly seem to enjoy their work, but at times go on self-indulgent rampages and lose the listener. I can definitely attest to this not being an easy-to-get-into-from-the-first-listen album. Thus, consider the quote given for this album moving upward as I manage more spins in the nearest future. Worth investing.
Killing Songs :
The Nevershining Stones, See Tomorrow Shine, but it may change tomorrow
Alex quoted 77 / 100
Other albums by Wuthering Heights that we have reviewed:
Wuthering Heights - Salt reviewed by Kyle and quoted 93 / 100
Wuthering Heights - The Shadow Cabinet reviewed by Alex and quoted 84 / 100
Wuthering Heights - Far From The Madding Crowd reviewed by Alex and quoted 92 / 100
Wuthering Heights - Within reviewed by Chris and quoted 84 / 100
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