The first thing that stands out about "Genevieve" is its prominent use of ambient guitarwork. The melodies are long and drawn out, and the rhythm guitars are very droning and sedated sounding. The distortion used is very buzzy, but also extremely thick (unlike some early black metal with very high-end distortion and production). The atmosphere which the guitar tracks create is very enveloping and submersing. To enhance this, the band uses an original instrument which they have dubbed the "diesel harp" – a guitar that runs on the pressure collected from a diesel engine. The guitar output is run through a fiber optic cord and into tanks of water (and other liquids) of various sizes. The result is a very ambient, underwater type sound. The "diesel harp" is used on "Genevieve" as an underlying instrument to the primary guitar tracks. At times, the guitars are stripped away, leaving only this dark, droning sound. Certain tracks (such as "Bete Noir") consist only of this ambient atmosphere with no guitars, drums, or vocals.

The other elements of Velvet Cacoon's music fit well into their atmospheric style. The drumming, which is now performed by a drum machine (the band once had a drummer who since has left). The drums are mixed fairly well; at times it is difficult to know that they are electronic. The sound is comparable to "Transilvanian Hunger" – the bass drum is highly emphasized while the snare is drawn into the background. It was a wise decision on Velvet Cacoon's part to do this; a prominent snare would have been too percussive and disruptive to the atmosphere and the lull of the music. The drumming style itself is also comparable to Darkthrone's earlier works. The drums are extremely minimal throughout the entire album, usually using only bass/snare alternating beats except for a few more rhythmically-inclined passages. The vocals on "Genevieve" are unique, to say the least. The technique used is perhaps a severe expansion on Ihsahn of Emperor's early singing style – that is, it is very snarled and whisper-like. At times the vocals surface amongst the white noise and washing guitar tracks, but mostly they are quite "soft" and remain as another level sound just below the surface. They are very insidious and dark sounding; this for certain when they surface into proper audibility.

Overall, Velvet Cacoon's "Genevieve" is an extremely powerful and effecting piece. It should be experienced as an entire album – a journey – rather than song by song. It is excellent music for drifting off into realms of the surreal, thanks to its ambient nature and alien-sounding melodies. Highly recommended on the whole.

written by Derek Schultz

Playing time: 55.21