A project which appears to be a comment/portrayal on the subject of war all it can entail, this is a one-man project done by Dragon Flight Records' Clint Listing. The CD begins with some German march music and some spoken word (which I assume is done by Clint). he keeps repeating the line "VICTORY OR DEATH!!!,I CALL FOR VICTORY OR DEATH!" which irritates me greatly. After the annoying intro, it's evident that this is going to maintain a slow, brooding and murky feel.
The album is mostly made up of slow, minimal keyboards, acoustic guitars and with what sounds like cello combine with the same spoken word vocals as in the intro. Thankfully, track three improves on the earlier vocals with monk-like chanting and whispers that which blend in well with the acoustic guitar, creating a rather tranquil, solitary atmosphere.
Track four continues in the same way but has keyboard that reminds me of Robin Hood for some reason. The tracks go from one to another without any real change to the ambient and desolate feel and because of this, As All Die belong in the background music category: Not bad, not great. It just merely exists like the breeze.
Go down to your local supermarket/mall and take a ride in an elevator and the music you hear will not be far off from this, but if you can excuse me As All Die has left me feeling rather tired..im off for forty winks! (dude, where do you do your shopping? - Roberto)
