Serundal

Serundal's journey 2006-2011 Although Serundal's first album ?Transitions' was only released in 2006, to those who listen to their music everyday it must seem as if an infinite amount of time has passed. Since that time ten albums and an E.P have been released and all have been well received worldwide. Maxie has been a published poet since the age of fifteen, and Serundal was first born through a combination of her ideas set in poetry and David's musical creativity.

Although Serundal's first album ?Transitions' was only released in 2006, to those who listen to their music everyday it must seem as if an infinite amount of time has passed.

Since that time ten albums and an E.P have been released and all have been well received worldwide.

Maxie has been a published poet since the age of fifteen, and Serundal was first born through a combination of her ideas set in poetry and David's musical creativity.
Together, born of Scottish, English and Welsh ancestry they have managed to weave together what has been described as ?a truly magical mix of Celtic and Anglo-Saxon storytelling traditions with the energy of 21st century arrangements.'

'The Trilogy'

With the release of 'Ab Initi' (In the beginning) the idea for 'the trilogy' was born- a story set to music and a future novel 'The Legend of Serundal.' This will be a Celtic legend, with a twist in that the theme of the story will be based around the time old fight between good and evil, but also underpinned by the powerful value of music. In 2010, the second part 'The Land of the Sixth Moon' was released, and the response has been overwhelming.

UK Songwriting Contest

After noticing the popularity of the track 'Lady of the Isles' (Waiting Rooms 2006) we decided to enter it into the 2009 UK Songwriting Contest and were thrilled when we were told it had been awarded a semi-finalist place.

In 2010 we entered four tracks, The Sisters of Caer, The Stone of Destiny, Don't let the daylight break (Land of the Sixth Moon) and White Stag (Yule) and again, all four were voted to the semi-finals, with three scoring 7 (borderline finalists)

We are currently working on the third part of the trilogy and the beginning of the novel.

We truly appreciate the positive feedback we receive from fans and listeners, and on last.fm especially, to the loyal fans here, who continue to listen and spread the word about our music.

Everyone's welcome to come visit us at http://www.serundal.com/ and please feel free to sign our guestbook!

Also you can find us on http://www.myspace.com/serundalmusic and if you are a member add us as a friend!


Leylines review
author: Pete Brown

Serundal - CD - Leylines
(www.serundal.com)

'Leylines' by Serundal is the prequel to the story of the Legend of Serundal and is intended to promote the trilogy of albums on the theme of the legend and The Kingdom Of Roth, 'Ab Initi' being the first in the series. I'm impressed with 'Leylines' and I marvel at the creativity and productivity of Serundal and their beautiful visionary epic. Serundal's website tells of "A Celtic World of Music Poetry and Magic" - and, make no mistake, that's exactly what you get!

'Leylines' actualy feels more cohesive and generally more confident than 'Ab Initi' (and that was pretty damn impressive!!); there's a fantastic flow to this work; it drifts effortlessly along and seems to cradle you in its being. Superbly laid back but offering a warm place to go on a dark autumn's night, 'Leylines' is evocative, descriptive, at times haunting and at others, hypnotic. Everything's just so smooth and peaceful sounding - it's a wonderfully dreamy work that reminds me in parts of Mike Oldfield, in other parts Renaissance, then I hear Sonja Kristina, Sandy Denny, loads of famous names come to mind but actually it's all just Serundal! It's wonderful!!

Serundal have done a bloody good job with 'Leylines' - their story telling prequel to the trilogy is magnificent and as a stand-alone work it's equally as compelling and works just as it is. I don't know how long Serundal have taken to get this far but 'Leylines' feels as though an awful lot of heart and soul has been put into it; it's beautifully polished, it's maturely composed and performed, it's thoroughly entertaining and extremely enjoyable. Serundal should be very proud of what they've achieved here.

I really hope 'Leylines' does its job and Serundal can get their trilogy out there and accepted - it thoroughly deserves to be successful. 'Leylines' is a splendid piece of work and bodes well for the second and third release in their epic aural adventure. Great work, beautiful to behold, remarkably assured and relaxingly tantalising.

Peter J Brown aka toxic pete (www.toxicpete.co.uk)

(Rhythm & Booze rating 10)

'Ab Initi' (Part One of the trilogy 'The Legend of Serundal') is also doing well in the charts and the tracks 'The Storm' and 'Snowy Owl' are some of the most played on last.fm.

*
author: Peter J Brown (www.toxicpete.co.uk)

Serundal - CD - Ab Initi (The Trilogy - part 1)
(www.serundal.com)

Serundal are husband and wife team, David (guitar, bass, keyboards, synth, vocal harmonies, producer and arranger) and Maxie (lyrics and lead vocals) King and this family that plays together certainly know what they're doing!

'Ab Initi' is an extremely well rounded and beautifully relaxing piece of nu-folk. Seemingly, the first part of a trilogy of such works it is, I suppose, what we used to call a concept album based around an unfolding tale based around the Kingdom Of Roth. Serundal create "A Celtic World of Music, Poetry and Magic" that's superbly crafted and blissfully easy to listen to. The album has mildly hypnotic tendencies that carry you away to a different place. If that place doesn't turn out to be (the otherworld known as) Serundal, it'll certainly take you on your own mystic voyage of fantasy and 'otherworld' influences.

'Ab Initi' is seductive and relaxing. It's a longish work with just eight excellent tracks taking up one hour of your valuable time. Listen to this work and it'll be time well spent; let Serundal caress you with their musical dreamscapes, let them take you into their otherworld - the benefits are many-fold. Serundal have composed a richly evocative work here; David's musical composition has the feeling of being truly understanding of what and where Maxie's poetic words have created, he's managed to provide an empathetic backdrop that suggest he's actually walked through her magical landscapes and taken in everything he's seen and experienced. Here is a couple who understand and compliment each other. A couple that are totally on the same wave-length.

Initially I thought that David had over-used the synths a touch but I soon came to realise that it's those synths that help to conjure up the trance-like backdrop that is part and parcel of Serundal's creation. David plays with breathtaking precision and allows Maxie to weave her spell with beautiful diction and stunning sensitivity - it's a massively impressive coming together of two creative forces into one sublime musical entity.

David composes and plays with a depth and sensitivity not unlike some of the best works of Mike Oldfield and Maxie reminds me of a laid back Annie Haslam and Enya Brennan in her ability to get her lyrics across effortlessly and precisely. The Celtic influences are not too far removed from what Clannad did; equally calming and just as easy to listen to. 'Ab Initi' is breathtakingly cool and mind-numbingly passionate - Serundal do a magnificent job here and don't fall into the trap of being self-indulgent even though 'Ab Initi' is their very own mystical creation.

'Ab Initi' is a pleasure to behold; just let it wrap itself around your person, breath in its intoxicating soundscapes, access the magical world of Serundal, sit back and enjoy this for exactly what it is - a beautifully composed and performed piece of lightly Celtic nu-folk - quality through and through - hypnotic, heady and just great entertainment. Impressive stuff from an equally impressive duo - Serundal and 'Ab Initi' could just take over where Clannad left off!

Peter J Brown aka toxic pete (www.toxicpete.co.uk)

(Rhythm & Booze rating 10)
*

May 2011

'Aisling' (Waiting Rooms) now offered as a free download*
* (limited period)

http://www.last.fm/music/Serundal/Waiting+Rooms