MP3DB.pro - Ataraxia - Oil On Canvas (Limited Edition) (2009)

Ultra-Mail Productions is a label based in Hong Kong, which has
released one of the most beautiful pieces of art in the
discography and history of Ataraxia. This album has been
released in a box containing a cd (in digipak format), 3
postcards and a very artistic book including 96 pages in full
colour format. On these pages you can find verses and lyrics
written by Francesca Nicoli, which are illustrated with very
artistic pictures. Images of artwork, nature, isolated and
abandoned rooms... which are like the mirror reflecting the soul
of Ataraxia. The album is collection of 14 songs released all
over the years and the impressive discography of this band. I
think it would be wrong to speak about a "best of", but more
about a selection of songs fitting into a kind of conceptual
idea behind this release and its format, which leads me to the
opening sentence of the text inside the digipak: 'Music is the
gift of Muses, their own sacred voice'. I guess this is quite
appropriated to the sound of Ataraxia. This Italian band
characterized by the enigmatic voice of singer Francesca Nicoli
has always moved in between different styles and influences.
Ethereal, medieval, folk, neo-classical and gothic are like the
main influences that have always made the splendour of this
band. But more than simply splendour, Ataraxia is a band full of
grace and magic. I don't know much bands able to produce this
kind of magic from rather melancholic songs. "Oil On Canvas" is
a sonic universe full of reverie, which totally fits to the
title of this album. With some imagination you can easily
imagine the songs becoming the oil and the painting on a canvas.
The song writing of Ataraxia is delicate while the sound is
rather unique. This impressive release limited to 800 copies is
a good opportunity to rediscover some of their most essential
songs like ôPastoraleö, ôLa Reine Des Hommes Aux Yeux Vertsö,
ôEaudelamerö or yet ôMon Ame SorciΦreö. The absolute high light
is an unreleased track composed in 2007 and entitled ôTemenosö.
This song brings an irresistible climax through a well-crafted
rhythmic that goes crescendo. The last song is another little
gift for the heaviest fans of the band. ôRashanö is an exclusive
track composed in 2008 and bringing this album to a good end!
This is not just a collector's item for the fans of Ataraxia,
but a homage to the genius of this band!

96 pages, hard cover, full colour book + 3 postcards
+ 14 tracks six panel digipack CD (12 remastered
songs with 1 rarity and 1 exclusive new track)

Tracklist:
01. Fengari (from “Kremasta Nera”- 2007)
02. The bay is white in silent light (from V. Vandelli “A day of warm rain in heaven”- 2004)
03. Pastorale (from “Simphonia Sine Nomine”- 1994)
04. Zelia (from “La malédiction d’Ondine”- 1995/2007)
05. Mon Ame Sorcière (from “Suenos”- 2001)
06. La reine des hommes aux yeux verts (from “Paris Spleen”- 2006)
07. Blood of cherries (from “Saphir”- 2004)
08. Daytia (from “Lost Atlantis”- 1999)
09. Dulcamara (from “Concerto N.6”- 1996)
10. Flée et Fabian (from “Nosce te Ispum” – 1991/2008)
11. Eaudelamer (from “Mon seul désir”- 2002)
12. Temenos (rare track - 2007)
13. The Ocean Green (from V. Vandelli “A day of warm rain in heaven”- 2004)
14. Rashan (exclusive new track- 2008)