This electronic project from Novosibirsk plays minimalist darkwave. The single member of this band is hiding under the pseudonym Agrippa Cain. In 1999 Cain's tape "Child of Cold" was released by Fantazone Sound Inc.

"Child of Cold" - 1999 (tape - Fantazone Sound Inc.)

"Child of Cold" - 1999 (tape - Fantazone Sound Inc.)
Return With The Victory (Hero's Dream)
Nibelung's Damnation
Night Before The Execution
Child Of Cold
Barbaric Ritual

CAIN "Child of Cold - 1999

There is a terrible disease, which is called "Mortiis syndrome". It is called so in honour to Norwegian ex-black metaller Mortiis, upon whom the clinical case of this syndrome was described for the first time. Affected by Mortiis syndrome, one suddenly discovers himself as the greatest composer, then he procures a cheap synthesizer and starts to derive from this device undying masterpieces, trying to present them as the works of art. Unfortunately, this disease is taking its critical course and it is practically incurable. The majority of darkwave one-man bands is formed by the people with a serious form of this syndrome. However there are some exceptions. When I listened to the first two tracks of this album I was almost ready to give it a low appraisal for above mentioned "mortiisment", but the further development of the theme made me reconsider my opinion for creative activity of Agrippa Cain was not so terrible. In spite of rough synthesizer minimalism the album as a whole is quite good. Although there are enough pathos and far-fetched sorrow, but all these vain symphonic attempts which are common for some synthesizer bands (for example Tanquam from Jaroslavl) are absent here and everything is quite cute and minimalistic. Of course pseudo-violins and pseudo-organs sometimes irritate the ear, but not so far to skip the track. Generally the project is good enough, but there are some minuses. The first and foremost is the "frontal" approach to the music - there is tremendous amount of western instrumental darkwave bands and most of their creations don't evoke the feeling of absence of something. But for the given concrete case such feeling is actual, and it's very hard for me to describe the absence of what I feel. Maybe vocals? Or another instruments? Or the sound isn't rich enough? I don't know, but all in all it is certainly not bad for the beginning.

CAIN "Child of Cold - 1999

One more ego-electronic darkwave project actively supported by Novosibirsk studio Fantazone Sound. From the very first tracks the presence of Father Mortiis' spirit is felt. All these boring pseudo-"grim" conglomerations of electronic violins and organs, pseudo-sorrow, pseudo-grief and other pseudo-senses the name of which is Legion, or in other words - boredom. But I was amazed, as it was correct only for the first two pieces. I have to say that original version this demo consisted of only 5 tracks, but we got an "extended" variant. Therefore "The curse of Nibelungs" qualitatively differs from the previous - even the instrumentation and stylistic canvas don't change the music becomes more serious and attractive, by the way, "Nibelungs" remind some moments from Tanquam. The next one, "Child of Cold" is also rather good, but in contrast to above mentioned Tanquam, this Novosibirsk project doesn't have enough composer's refinement. On the other hand, Cain has more qualitative sound. "Night before the Execution" has beautiful, almost "classic" melody and high pathos, and "...Ritual" is to my mind more industrialized than the other tracks (sometimes even the echoes of Nurse With Wound are heard - or does it seem to me?) Unfortunately the real gothic scene in Russia is still absent, but such projects can gladden not only by their music, but due to the fact of their existence in the country of Philip Kirkorov. The potential is felt in Cain, and this is the thing, which makes one waiting impatiently for the release of their new material.

Official CAIN Home Page

Agrippa CAIN - keyboards, programming

address: Russia, 630063, Novosibirsk-63, P.O.Box 348, Kalinichev Nikolay
e-mail: axe@tc.sh.siberia.net