I know, shitty thread title, but I'm not sure what it would be called, though I DO know what I want.

Basically, I'm looking for soothing, soundscape/ambient or acoustic music that one listens to when one isn't in the mood for metal, but something that maintains a dramatic, atmospheric and even fantastical characteristic that some atmospheric black or folk metal imbues--as if the music would be found as an acoustic or ambient section in an atmospheric metal band.

It also has to be organic, however, as I prefer natural sounds as opposed to keyboard-laden, electronic, plasticky texture.

Someone posted a perfect example of this a while ago--though of course, I'd like an entire album consisting of this type of style--and it was Gris' La Dryade

Thanks in advanced! And I'll try and edit my post to make it more clear.

EDIT: Just to be more clear, the music can be acoustic and not so quiet/ambient--I'm just trying to broaden out the choices a bit. Something with stride, a little bit of flamboyance or catchiness and even a tad bit of speed is fine as long as it fufills the organic, dramatic and atmospheric characteristic. Vocals are completely fine as well. Tribal percussion is a plus.

hmm, the following don't really fuflfill the "Gris" aspect, but your description of "dramatic, atmospheric and even fantastical characteristic" should/could be found in albums of:

NEST - http://www.myspace.com/nestfinland

TENHI
http://www.myspace.com/tenhiband

a bit more synth ladden is LORD WIND
just awesome atmospheric, otherworldly music
http://www.myspace.com/lordwindfolk

also if your research can tolerate vocals (you don't, do you?) you should try bands like

OF THE WAND AND THE MOON - a fantastic dark/neofolk band
http://www.myspace.com/ofthewandandthemoon

WARDRUNA
http://www.myspace.com/wardruna

and also, though including guitars, SOMNOLENCE could be worth a try
http://www.myspace.com/somnolence13

sorry for posting slightly ot bands, but to me they fulfill a "not in the mood for metal" mood

I second Nest. Check out Agalloch's The White as well.

Thanks for the reccomendations!

So far, I'm liking Nest, Tenhi, and Wardruna. Lord Wind is a bit too synthy to me, and I'm looking for, if anything, something that brings me closer to nature hence the organic characteristic. Of The Wand And The Moon is pretty good, except the accordion (I think?) is a bit ehh to me, and unfortunately, in the context of my prior experiences with the accordion, I think more of a circus than anything organic or nature related--that's entirely on me, however, and objectively I can see how it met my thread prerequisites. Somnolence was a little too electronic and metallic sounding for this particular request, but I will keep them in mind, as they aren't bad at all.

Nest and Tenhi are pretty good, and definitely a type that I was looking for. Wardruna was a little less down-to-earth (maybe that's just my subconscious bias about Gaahl, though, haha.). Other than that, I've edited the OP to make my inquiry a little more clear.

Thanks again, and keep them coming!

(I will check out Agollach right now)

How about Kauan's latest album? Ambient folksy music. The band originally started with a black/doom sound with folk mixed in, but they evolved and the metal was stripped from out of their music. Very soothing, wonderfully natural sounding. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY278KT08vI

Do Uaral fit the bill? They definitely have metallic parts, with the doomier sound, but they also have lots of soothing acoustics accompanied by soft wind instruments. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74UZFlQYawI

If you enjoy bands like Nest, Vàli may be to your liking, too. Lots of acoustics, very beautiful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Za92MVLMM8 With these bands in mind, Neun Welten may also be to you liking if you enjoy that sort of thing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmwUWD5y ... re=related

This is a bit more left field, but Les Discrets new album? Acoustics, dreamy atmospheres, superb clean vocals. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcN92KPfha4 A bit faster in tempo, but fits most moods.

A few albums/EP's by October Falls would fall into this category.

Yeah, upon hearing the song, I immediately thought of Agalloch as they are quite ambient with a strong folk vibe. So second this. Ashes Against The Grain has some similar stuff in places as well.


For something different, I would suggest checking out Dead Can Dance. It is rather ambient and soothing with an orchestra often in support (and choir). They're rather hard to explain if you haven't heard them, so give them a listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=karRE54LCCA

Sounds like you should check out the neofolk genre. Their have already been some really good neofolk bands recommended, like Of the Wand and the Moon, but I'd just like to throw in some love for Death in June and Sol Invictus, my two personal favorites.

Death in June- He's Disabled http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS36ggkJmHU

Death in June-Little Black Angel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwUhnjH1NG4

Death in June-The Mourner's Bench http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mSSfNDUBVo

Sol Invictus-Kneel to the Cross http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGVclec9c20

Sol Invictus-Believe Me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt1cE3H8r-k

Check out Karl Sanders solo career it's got a great Arabic sound to it.

Mistigo Varggoth Darkestra!

Actually using La Dryade as a frame of reference would make me recommend the following.

Dornenreich - In Luft Geriztz, it has acoustic guitar and violin
Echtra - A War for Wonder, nearly instrumental combo of acoustic and electric guitar and a drum machine. Pretty drone inducing, but that's not to say like drone doom any any sense, you'll understand if you listen to it.
Gattaca O.S.T. composed by Michael Nyman
The Piano O.S.T. composed my Michael Nyman - La Dryade really invoked the spirit of Michael Nymans music in me, particularly these two film scores. Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFmAsoXkd2I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Su8LXNS16A

Empyrium's "Where At Night..." and "Weiland".

Death in June and Soul Invictus are good, but I think something like In Gowan Ring might fit the description better.

In Gowan Ring- Hazel Steps

The Seer and the Seen

In Gowan Ring- Morning's Waking Dream

Ah good call on In Gowan Ring. "Hazel Steps Through a Weathered Home" is a really good album.

It's brilliant indeed.

Jeez guys, so many good reccs I don't know where to start! I don't know when I'm going to get done checking all of em, but thanks for everything so far!

Second this. Especially the Within The Realms Of A Dying Sun album. Flawless. Just listen to Cantara and Anywhere Out Of This World. Does not come much more dramatic than this.

I'll also suggest Arcana (unless you are already familiar with them). This Swedish ambient group has some unbelievably atmospheric, beautiful and, above all dramatic passages. Witness the sheer delicacy (and a hint of tragedy) of Angel Of Light, and the brooding majesty of God Of The Winds.

Good call. Cyclic Law is re-releasing their first four albums as a special boxed set, and here one can find lots of samples (and a rather extensive description) and pre-order the actual thing.

Yeah, that's one of my favorite albums of theirs. Into the Labyrinth is another album I would also recommend to the OP.

I'll have to check out Arcana, since they sound like a very interesting band. I love full, majestic music.

Give Trist (Cze) - Slunce..... a shot.

Thanks for the heads up. Will have to investigate.



You won't be dissapointed. Their first two albums are simply amazing.