The Beauty Above
Lust
© 2004 Aetherium Music (634479578120)
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sexy, dark, and beautiful. Combing elements of hard rock, world music, and ambient electronica into a spectacular sound that evokes pure emotion, decadence, and passion.
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The Beauty Above is a solo project created by alex koffler, who as composer, producer, and musical alchemist, is the all encompassing voice of the project.
The Beauty Above is the culmination of alex's passion for music and his continuous exploration of diverse cultures, art, and music through his sundry world travels.
…Beginnings
Alex’s musical talents, as both composer and musician, arose from fertile beginnings. His parents, both noted scholars, nurtured his lust for knowledge, while an innate connection to his great uncle, the legendary musical pioneer Kurt Weill, helped incite Alex’s musical ambitions. At the budding age of eight, a love affair with the stage began with a performance at madison square garden under the direction of revered choreographer Jacques D'amboise. Later, at age eleven, he studied with famed musical composer Aaron Copland, touted as the “pioneer of american music.”
…Sounds
Alex fuses eclectic influences to create a resonant mosaic. lust, his EP released in 2004, weaves heavy metal riffs with traditional middle eastern rhythms to produce an evocative musical experience.
…Affiliations
Alex has collaborated on projects with diverse musical talents including the artists Darling Nikkie (Lords of Acid), Jerome Dillon (NIN), Mohammed Firoozi (Atash), death rock legends The Red Temple Spirits, and the electro-rockers Novocain.
…Interests and Travels
Alex's interests include mysticism, sacred geometry, eastern philosophy, cultural anthropology, experimental film, and political science. Raised in nyc, Alex has also lived in Paris, Milan, London, Tokyo, Bali, Sedona, Austin, and currently resides in Los Angeles. His travels have led him throughout Africa, Europe, Asia as well as South America.
reviews
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A cd worthy of any music lover's attention.
author: Jamie RowlettThe music on this CD is full of energy and passion. Heavy but not intrusive, the music takes you on a journey with the artist that leaves you breathless.
Erotic and Hypnotic...Incredible!
author: PennyThis is one of the best releases I have heard in a long time. The music is stunning, the vocals are sensual and mesmoririzing, and the production and arrangement blew me away. As a musician myself...It would be just wonderful to collaborate with someone with so much talent. I found myself instantly drawn into the erotic/exotic envoirnment that Alex Koffler has created. Words are not enough to express my thoughts on this release. The only thing I didn't like was I wanted more. ;-) Just Brillant! Alex you have my support always hun!! This music is meant to be savored like a fine wine or a decadent piece of dark chocolate...enough said! Get this cd you will NOT regret it.
He is the new Jim Morrison for the new millennium.
author: Galaxystorm RadioEvery so often, maybe once in a generation, a musical genius emerges from the crowd. Alex Koffler may be that next genius. His music is not only hypnotic, it is true art. He is the new Jim Morrison for the new millennium. Alex is not only a truly talented and accomplished musician, his lyrics will blow your mind. I predict Alex will become a superstar. Storm, Galaxystorm Radio, March, 2005
stunningly beautiful
author: bladesIf only this were a full-length album... This is one of the best cds i've picked up in recent months. There's a classical grandeur lurking behind the cool exterior. Definitely worth a listen if you're at all into the genre.
It envelopes and seduces me with every listen...
author: Helena - DenmarkThe title truly captures the essence of this body of work by Alex Koffler, a.k.a. The Beauty Above. It envelopes and seduces me with every listen and it's brilliance leaves me satisfied like an unforgetable lover. Those looking for something not easily defined, sophisticated yet raw, and purposefully crafted with timely climactic hooks, will not be disappointed. One can only keep hoping for more...
david sylvian meets layne staley
author: alison e.what a beautiful record! i only wish there were more songs on it! can't wait for the full length...i listened to this while having sex with my boyfriend on ecstasy and it gave me the most incredible visuals!
Fantastic!
author: TaylorI got it about a week ago, and I've been addicted to it since. It's just..wow...
a pheromonal blend of ministry grade metal, middle eastern overtones...
author: austin chronicle...a pheromonal blend of ministry grade metal, middle eastern overtones, and seductive synths.
I have only one thing to say about this EP-COOL
author: kajHow much does it take really to get interested in a band?,well a video oughta be enough if it´s got that extra you don´t see and hear so often like in this case with The Beauty Above! I surfed into Alex Koffler´s website (www.thebeautyabove.com) and watched the video to the splendid song "Waiting for you" and well it´s pretty much just Alex who is the man behind this bandname,he has written,produced and performed this EP titled "Lust" which is an appetizer of the upcoming full length album "Into the night" that will be out later in 2004. First when I heard all the 5 songs on this EP I thought it was an industrial rock oriented album but after 3 more turns in the stereo-I am more into a Synthrock kinda style coz Alex uses his keyboards more than his guitars and the sounds are very much in the old 80´s synthpop way. Then add some heavy guitar riffs a la Rammstein and Koffler´s cool way of singing and you have come all the way how LUST sounds like. A thing that strikes me is that Alex likes to use a lotta eastern oriented harmonies in his songs,if you close your eyes I guess you could smell the market square in Istanbul. I have only one thing to say about this EP-COOL
Not over-produced, but also well put-together.
author: gods of musicSensuality is a timeless theme - as long as the storyteller is inspired, it's a topic that almost never tires. "Skin" by The Beauty Above is a good example of the story well-told. The intro is heavily threaded with rich, dark rhythms, and the thick back-scratching synth & guitar does not lack. Personally, I need to listen to a track like this every so often. There's an itch in the back of the mind that a song like this satisfies - and also exacerbates. I can't tell for sure from the music whether The Beauty Above is an independent or signed artist - this is usually a good sign... Not over-produced, but also well put-together. "Skin" is a great piece. The sound itself, though hardly a replicant, reminds me a little of Skold, a little of Stone Temple Pilots, and somewhat of KMFDM.
A Dark, Beautiful Synth-Metal Masterpiece
author: jeff gibsonmusic fans sick and tired of the filth that oozes out of mainstream radio and tv will revel in the excellent new ep "lust", by up-and-coming nuevo-metal act the beauty above. the conceptualization of alex koffler, who wrote and produced all the material, this first release by the beauty above will captivate listeners with haunting arrangements, relentless guitar crunching, soothing synth layers, and powerful lyrics, all brought to a head by koffler's superb, catchy vocals. on first listen, songs like "please" and "waiting for you" instill contrasting moods of serenity and insanity, all the while proving to be future radio staples with their memorable hooks. koffler is an expert at crafting his songs with a mix of ultra-heaviness, sexy melodies, thick production along with indian and arabic arrangements -- nustrat fateh-esque singing, wild tabla rhythms, and synth-lines that place you in a world of dark exoticism. "lust" shows that creative and original talent is alive and well is this artistically vapid age.
Dark, edgy, and sexy. Just the combination I was looking for
author: Jeff Blair (NY, NY)Dark, edgy, and sexy, this was just what I had been searching for when I discovered this gem of a first recording. As a long-time listener of The Cult and Nine Inch Nails, the music of The Beauty Above resonated with me in powerful ways. The EP, entitled “Lust,” features five tracks, each with its own stylistic flavor. The tracks "Skin," "How Does it Feel," and "Waiting for You" are most similar; they are angry, melodic tunes with an ominous metal/Goth-rock edge. Each song contains richly layered production and forceful hooks that find you singing them at the most unexpected moments. "Please" evokes a more down-tempo, sensitive feel, reminiscent of the grooves of European trip-hop artists Tricky and Portishead. "Twelve-Step Junkie" is an ironic, anthem-like, rock-techno tune with a beat that makes you dance. I highly recommend this EP as it boldly explores rock at multiple angles, and achieves what much of today's music lacks: balls.