Rieg - The Absynth Ritual

Rieg's creative idea behind The Absynth Ritual album was inspired by the fact that the "Absynth" word is very like the word "Absinth". With a little fantasy, the Absynth word relates to both synthesizers and Absinth, which is an alcoholic drink with some special attributes to it.



Some of the artists and authors around a century ago, -"the bohemians" used a lot of the trendy Absinth drink at the time (which still can be bought in some countries). However, it was also believed that long time use of Absinth could lead to excentrism and madness.

The Absinth color is normally green and when water blends with Absinth (as part of the Absinth Ritual), the visual, ghostly effect in the glass is called the Green Fairy. So Rieg have used the Absinth and all around it as themes for the music in this album.

The Green Fairy is a relatively light tune illustrating happy fairies, flying and dancing in the absynth g... -sorry, absinth glass.

The Absynth tune starts out quietly as from a harmonic and peaceful soul, but ends up more wild (as from a soul affected by long time use of "Absinth").

Daughters of Doom, is kind of a musical journey, where these daughters (green fairies) first was sent away and doomed, but later was rescued and could return home. This piece is kind of classical in style, blended with electronic music and new age style style.

The Absynth Ritual is just a honor to the Absinth Ritual, which is a special ritual for making this drink. Some of this can be seen on the front cover. but with an electronic musical twist. You can even see the green fairy in the bulb in the glass. Thanks to the artist Geir Opdal and his brilliant interpretation in the making of this cover, by mixing both the (real) absinth ritual with electronic musical elements.

A Wonderful Day was special composed as part of a mini concert in a bohemian party where Rieg performed live. Yes, some guests did actually drink Absinth in that party too. Don't ask who... :) This track is a bonus track not originally meant to be included on this album.
Source: http://www.riegmusic.com