Into the Unknown

1. Lucifer

2. Uninvited Guest

3. Ghost of Change

4. Listen to the Bell

5. Fifteen Men

6. Into the Unknown

7. Under the Spell

8. Deadtime

9. Holy Water

10. Kutulu (The Mad Arab Pt. 2)

Tracks:

Lucifer
The Uninvited Guest
The Ghost Of Change
Listen To The Bell
Fifteen Men (And A Bottle Of Rum)
Into The Unknown
Under The Spell
Deadtime
Holy Water
Kutulu (The Mad Arab Part Two)

Customer Reviews:

Packing List for Eternity.......2007-07-15

Friends, when I die, at an absolute minimum, please pack among my provisions for the journey, the following tracks from this album: Ktulu.

A Disappointment From My Favorite Band!.......2006-07-13

This is without any doubt MF's lowest career point. This album all together is quite bad, which pains me to say because the band is amazing. There really is no great songs on here, except for maybe "The Uninvited Guest", which simply is a good song but nothing too amazing. Most of the songs seem like tired and uninspired concepts that were created on the fly. I understand and respect that King was very busy during this time releasing albums from both his solo band and Mercy, but his KD album of the same year was so much better, it makes me think that he focused all of his attention and heart on that album and let this one slide in quality.King's vocals aren't as great as you should expect from him. He sounds strained and uninspired. Musically, there is nothing to get excited about, which is a shame because the band had been doing amazingly well up until this album. This is Denner's last stand, and which is a disappoitment in both ways; the first being Denner is so amazing as a guitarist and the fact that he did so poorly here makes it a bitter-sweet farewell. If you're looking for some good Mercyful Fate, don't look here. I hate to say it, but this album is bad. There is nothing here that will entice you and nothing you haven't heard before. Unless you are a devout collector of MF, I suggest you pass this up, you're not missing much at all..

Good, Yes. Essential, No. .......2006-07-12

Most of you know that "Time" immediately preceeded "Into the Unknow." After "Time," King Diamond's solo group became active again. And if this record is not as consistent as "In the Shadows" or "Time," King Diamond at least has an excuse. (He was splitting his time between two groups, and by his own confession, this did begin to wear on him.) Unlike "In the Shadows" or "Time," "Into the Unknown" has some expendable low points. But in all fairness, it has some real high points as well. The one crew change from "Time" is that Bjarne T. Holm takes over the drumming. (In my opinion, he is neck and neck with Mick Dee as the best drummer ever in King Diamond's employ.) This is the final Mercyful Fate record where guitarists Hank Shermann and Mike Denner work together. (To be sure though, Mike Denner and Hank Shermann would once again team up in "Force of Evil.") Fortunately the great bassist Sharlee D'Angelo is still there. Moving onto the subject at hand, as to 'Lucifer,' I can only say no comment. 'The Uninvited Guest' is a good but not great opener. The pace does picks up with the haunting 'Ghost of Change.' 'Listen To the Bell' is a high point on the record with haunting vocals and driving edges. (No complaint here at all.) '15 Men and a Bottle of Rum' is an interesting song about a sinking ship. Not your typical King Diamond song, but alright. A previous reviewer said that Hank Shermann is way better than Hendrix, and this record would seem to indicate so. The title track 'Into the Unknown' almost steals the record. It is a song with great eerie and haunting vocals, lyrics, and guitar work. In my opinion, this track foreshadows the great work to come on "Dead Again." Moving on, I can only say no comment to 'Under the Spell.' 'Deadtime' may have a sick charm, but it is one of the worst songs I have ever heard from Mr. Diamond. 'Holy Water' may have a driving edge, but it's only a moderate song at best. 'The Mad Arab Part 2' is a vast improvement over "Time's" 'Mad Arab,' and allows the record to end on a great note. One thing I will admit is that on this record, Mike Denner is more neck and neck with Hank Shermann than he ever was. Perhaps Mike Denner felt that since this would be his last Mercyful Fate record, he should give it everything he had. Overall, this is a good record and it does have its moments. And we probably should be understanding that Mr. Diamond was splitting his time between two groups. But unlike "In the Shadows" or "Dead Again," I can not quite call this record a 'gotta have.'

Another album at the Mercyful Fate factory.......2003-10-25

Every band has it's ups and downs. Disappointing album to follow up from 'Time'. If your just getting into 'Fate', this is not the
album to start with. But as a hardcore fan...of course this one's
easily worthy of my collection.

Average effort... if a bit disappointing........2003-03-25

First, let me say that only true classics deserve 5 stars, whereas only corporate drivel deserves 1 star, like a Britney Spears album. 'Into the Unknown' is one of Mercy's weaker efforts, something I'd recommend.. with caution.. to any fan of old-school metal. Two and a half stars.

Vocalist King Diamond delivers the goods as usual, just with not as many memorable melodies or riffs this time around. There are some standout tracks: 'Uninvited Guest', 'Ghost of Change', 'Kutulu', and especially the title track. A couple of others aren't too bad either, but the album as a whole is not nearly as consistent as one expects from King Diamond (he's set very high standards). Stuff like 'Deadtime', 'Holy Water', and 'Listen to the Bell' are all b-side material, though I suppose one can't complain with the incredible rate at which King churns out his albums (much to his fans delight).

Compared to some of King's other work like 'Melissa', "Them", or even a more recent effort like 'Into the Shadows', this album sounds somewhat uninspired. That said, 'Into the Unknown' remains a listenable album from one of metal's most creative and influential bands.

Average customer rating:

Quality from the UK DJ... but He Could've Done Better

Into the Unknown
Russ Gabriel
Manufacturer: Pony Canyon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00006YXRA
Release Date: 2002-11-18

Tracks:

Introduction (Mood In D Minor)
Second Summer
Offenbach West
Never Again
We Will Be Turning (Album Edit)
Patience
Into The Unknown
People Of The World Today
Live At The Nugget
Novera (Bonus Japan)
Supermarket (Bonus Japan)

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring Two Bonus Tracks

Customer Reviews:

Quality from the UK DJ... but He Could've Done Better.......2004-10-01

The first item I heard from Russ Gabriel was "Jelba" off of the Trip Do Brasil II compilation some three years ago. Next up was "Supermarket" on Faze Action's 2001 nu-brazil dance comp titled "Pure Braziliance" (spelled "Brazilliance" on Amazon). Both tracks had an heir of sophistication while Supermarket in particular grabbed me. 2002 saw "Into the Unknown" hit the shops... except in the US.

This is a good cd with one dominant vibe - a touch of classy orchestration blended with production and samples. It goes in and out of broken beats, live instruments & violins, electronic vibes and a bit of flavor from all over the place. The opening cuts a nice chimmey introduction before "Second Summer" has some bongos going and a club beat throbbin' with that guitar touch giving it just the right latin feel. You've got some more breaks and chants in "Never Again" and "Into the Unknown" has a nice electric jazz feel to it after the smooth build-up. "Live from the Nugget"'s another track that was very good and it sounded even better on the remix wheel when Lars Bartkuhn got his hands on it.

To recommend it - that's tricky because I do enjoy "Into the Unknown" but this version in particular is a very pricey Japanese import. However it's the one I prefer as it has "Supermarket" as a stand-alone track and that's a hard song to come by. Same with "Novera". I think the powers that be should've also included "Jelba" with the import. Also, after hearing "Jelba" and "Supermarket", I think this cd was a bit of a letdown since most of the songs here didn't live up to my expectations from those two. Russ's capable of much better, and I hope he'll put some more material out soon & really hit the remix market. But if you do dig this cd you'll definitely want to check the Compost artists; especially Truby Trio, Fauna Flash, Jazzanova, Intuit & maybe Wei Chi's new one. Also check Faze Action (another Compost star) with Pure Braziliance and the Glucklich series & hear "Live at the Nugget" remixed on Brazilution 5.2.

Average customer rating:

Into the Unknown
Mercyful Fate
Manufacturer: Metal
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000724G
Release Date: 1996-09-04

Average customer rating:

Into the Unknown
Anadara
Manufacturer: Springhill Worship
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000LOAPNC

Product Description

1. Go 2. Simple 3. Song of my Surrender 4. By Your Love 5. Personal 6. To the One (Duet with Christy Nockels 7. The Name 8. Die for the Rest of My Life 9. Echoes Around the World 10. Still

Average customer rating:

Quirky, unpredictable and beautiful scores
Correction
TERRIFIC!

Silents

Manufacturer: Accurate Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

New Music for Silent Films
Masters of Slapstick

ASIN: B0000059L5
Release Date: 1997-10-21

Tracks:

Plain Crazy: Full Score
Lost World: Into The Amazon
Lost World: Dinosaur's Revenge
Lost World: The Couple
Nosferatu: The Vampire's Waltz
Nosferatu: Lust
Nosferatu: Hydra
Nosferatu: The Escape
Nosferatu: The Coffin
Metropolis: Yoshiwara
Metropolis: Escape From The Underground City
Metropolis: The Chase
The Unknown: Alonzo The Armless
The Unknown: Hands, Men's Hands
The Unknown: Stung Like A Whip
The Unknown: Love Theme

Amazon.com

Of all the bands playing that accompany silent films (and there are more than a few out there), none are better than the Alloy Orchestra. Simply put, the Boston-based band has an incredible sense of humor, cinematic timing, and a great sound. Perhaps it's the instrumentation: Alloy utilize oddball percussion (fire extinguishers, old pipe) and the occasional sampler sound effects. The group's music never sounds dated, and yet, somehow, it never dates the movie it accompanies. Silents is some of the ensemble's best work, a compilation featuring music written for five different classic silent films. The group's scores for Plain Crazy (noteworthy as being Mickey Mouse's first film appearance) and a funky accompaniment to Metropolis are the clear highlights, but there really are no duds here. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

Quirky, unpredictable and beautiful scores.......2000-09-29

Seeing the Alloy Orchestra in person playing one of their original scores while the film is playing on the screen is an experience I always enjoy. Whenever they're in town, I round up friends and relatives to watch METROPOLIS, NOSFERATU, or some other silent classic. It's not easy. Today's audiences aren't very keen on silents and the people in my group protest having to "read dialogue" and watch an old movie that's not in color. But when the films over, they can't stop talking about what a great time they had.

Unfortunately, the talented Alloy Orchestra isn't playing in my city 365 days a year, so I can't see them as often as I like. But they do sell recordings of their work. Sure, these compositions from LOST WORLD, NOSFERATU, METROPOLIS, and the bizarre THE UNKNOWN can stand on their own as terrific music. But I get further enjoyment by popping any of those films in my VCR or DVD and playing the proper selections on my CD player. It's a pain to keep switching tracks back & forth, but it helps me relive the mood I first got when I saw it performed live.

I probably love NOSFERATU the best. I own the film on video with a droning, heavy organ score in the background, which is a soundtrack you'd expect from an old silent vampire film. The Alloy Orchestra did an atypical score with a spooky waltz for the main title. The other selections for the film are also haunting, yet quirky -- not like anything you'd expect for a typical score for NOSFERATU. And that describes their scores perfectly -- they're quirky, beautiful, and very appropriate.

If you've already seen them, you will want to own this (as well as their CD "New Music For Silent Films). If you haven't and you have a taste for the unusual, give this CD a try. And go out of your way to see them perform in person.

Correction.......2000-09-15

I would like to correct the previous reviewer. The Alloy Orchestra writes and performs their own *original* compositions to accompany silent films. The tracks on this CD will have nothing to do with the original scores for these films. I have had the pleasure of seeing the Alloy Orchestra perform their music for several different films, and their live performances are truly extraordinary and provide an opportunity to appreciate how closely the music is tied to the films. However, I find most of their music stands up well on its own, and I enjoy the scores for the films I haven't seen just as much.

TERRIFIC!.......2000-07-06

I thoroughly enjoyed this album, the performances are vibrant, lively, original, and breath life into the old scores. The instrumentation has a great "organic" feel. I would highly recommend this for anyone who is interested in old film scores particularly silents. (The Amazon review sites "Plane Crazy" as Mickey Mouse's first film appearance, this is incorrect: Mickey Mouse first appeared in "Steamboat Willie" on November 18, 1928, "Plane Crazy" was released later that same year. While "Plane Crazy" was actually produced before "Steamboat Willie" it was in "Steamboat Willie" that Mickey made his debut.)

Average customer rating:

Polished Progressive Metal

Into the Unknown
Mind's Eye
Manufacturer: Sensory Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000BIFB
Release Date: 1998-10-20

Tracks:

The Other Side Of Me
In Chase Of Time
Almost There
Wishes In The Wind
Questions
Am I Waiting?
Light Waves
Without The Sun

Customer Reviews:

Polished Progressive Metal.......1999-12-25

I admit now that I can't make up my mind (no pun intended) about this band & album.

On the positive side the music is quite complicated & interesting with many tempo & key changes and features some strangely clean & jazzy interludes. There are some heavy riffs in there and some colorful guitar solos (slightly reminiscent of Lynch & Kotzen). The rest of the band are also very competent and the production is very polished, but....

On the negative side the songs and concepts do - at times - sound slighlty disjointed. In addition the vocalist does suffer with an unappealing European accent that taints so many European metal bands. Admittedly he sings better than I could ever hope to, but I've never had a desire to sing in a high pitched squealy voice!

Tracks:

Passage (Beyond)
Miracle
Watching Over You
Overkill
Do You Feel?
Essence Of Mind
Crossworlds
Secrets
Wasteland
Edge Of Life
Paradise

Customer Reviews:

Great electro!.......2005-09-21

Solitary Experiments' third album (after two previous ones on Maschinenwelt) is a real hammer and promises to be one of the electro-highlights of 2003! Anthemic electro, hard and danceable at the same time, full of beautiful hymns, great vocals, and catchy melodies. "Advance into Unknown" is an album that you could describe as their most "commercial" one - standing for high quality in the composition and the execution of all songs. This album is full of potential hits, that it's almost impossible to give preference to certain tracks. This is perfect electro!!!