30/04/2023
Music From The Void, an album from Max Hunt
(an interpretation of J.R.R. Tolkien´s Ainulindalë)
FTPCD2027
Multi-instrumentalist, producer Max Hunt of Tantalus, Fragile, Mabel Greer´s Toyshop and Siggi Schwarz has released a concept album based on J.R.R. Tolkien´s musical creation myth Ainulindalë (or Music of the Ainur). This story was first published in 1977 as the first chapter of the Silmarillion.
The album starts with Tale of Creation, a long-form progressive masterwork in two parts that tells the whole story of the Music Of The Ainür. The first part of this song follows in the footsteps of J.S. Bach, Richard Strauss, Count Basie and Yes in using the entire circle of 5ths covering all twelve notes of the musical scale in a logical and harmonic order, used as a musical compositional technique for centuries.
This song is followed by an actual musical interpretation of the Ainulindalë which takes form as Ghenésis (The Prelude), the three Themes of Eru and a final celebratory track called Behold The Vision. These compositions include lyrics sung by massed choirs singing words created by Max intended to represent the language of the Ainür before they descended to Arda and became physical beings. These tracks use massive symphonic-like arrangements utilizing sounds that represent a fantasy spiritual domain before the creation of the Universe.
Here is the story of the Ainulindalë in Max´s own words:
“In the beginning Eru, the One, Lord of all and keeper of the Flame Imperishable dwelt alone in the Timeless Halls beyond the Void. Eru wrought the Ainür, the first and mightiest of spiritual beings, into life, giving each form and character of his own design. At the beginning of all thought was music first made by the Ainür.
It came to pass that Eru gathered together all the Ainür and a great music was made. The music took form as three great themes proclaimed to the Ainür by Eru. The Ainür, each offering their own character to the pure essence in development of each Theme, augmented each into a great musical work.
But with the declaration of each theme, Melkor, chief amongst the Ainür in knowledge and might, sought to create discord and to corrupt all to his own thought and meaning, ever striving for dominance. In this act was malevolence and contempt first discerned.
In this great music was fashioned a vision of Eä, Arda and the whole of creation spanning the ages of time. The vision shone before the Ainür. In this great music was all designed and by Eru´s gift of the Flame Imperishable and the endless toil of the Ainür in the long ages since, was all created and given form and life, set amidst the innumerable stars.
Never since has any music so great been heard, though it is said that after the end of days a greater music still will take form and that the Ainür and the Children of Eru shall declare the three great themes of Eru aright and that all will take being anew at their sound.”
This album has been a collaboration; Max Hunt, Clive Bayley (Mabel Greer´s Toyshop) and Colin Masson (The Morrigan) have all contributed writing to the project and the album includes guest performances from Colin Masson (guitar & bass), Clive Bayley (backing vocals), Cathy Alexander (lead vocals) and Gerlinde Hunt (backing vocals). Max plays keyboards, percussion/drums, lapharp and samples and sings lead and backing vocals.
1 - Tale Of Creation (i. Yru Urman, ii. In His Mystery, iii. Hearken) 09.56
2 - Ghenésis (The Prelude) 05.30
3 - The First Theme Of Eru
(i. Declaration, ii. Formation iii. Evolution, iv. Melkor´s Corruption) 10.50
4 - The Second Theme Of Eru (i. Declaration, ii. Formation, iii. Dark Interruption, iv. Restoration,
v. Evolution, vi. Melkor´s Corruption) 10.51
5 - The Third Theme Of Eru
(i. Declaration, ii. Formation, iii. Meditation, iv. Evolution, v. Melkor´s Corruption, vi. The Resolution of Eru) 11.06
6 - Behold The Vision
(i. Emergence, ii. Formation, iii. Comprehension, iv. Yru Ellem Unai Eya) 12.10
The album is available on CD and digitally (download & streaming) exclusively from Bandcamp but every purchase also gives access to an immersive full album video with lyrics, animated graphics and information.
April 2023 some early reactions:
“Just watched the entire album video. It´s a masterpiece!”
“Thank you so much for the album video link. I have watched it and I think that it´s brilliant”
“sounds great, as are the visuals, can´t guess how many hours work went into it”
Music From The Void by Max Hunt is available from these Bandcamp webstores:
maxhuntmusic.bandcamp.com
fragileyestribute.bandcamp.com
