Artist description escription of the band from Christian Says...Rachael's Surrender is the creative brainchild of the enigmatic and somewhat mysterious reuben. With an extensive background in both classical music and study in electronic synthesis, reuben's foray into recording has finally culminated in the release of Rachael's Surrender's first full length CD, Within the Tears of Winter. While partaking sparingly of many different and divergent influences, the sound is fresh and unique, not entirely reminiscent of any other style yet hauntingly familiar, almost like the scent of a long ago memory.

Music Style Darkwave Ethereal Gothic

Musical Influences Garbage, NIN, Depeche Mode, Tori Amos, Philip Glass, Bel Canto, Bach

Similar Artists Depeche Mode, NIN, Garbage

Artist History Although the mastermind behind Rachael’s.Surrender, Reuben declares emphatically that he had no intention of forming a band. Reuben admits to experimenting with compositions on his home recording studio for a number of years, but asserts that his intentions were only "experimental." Even so, analyzing his own work proved difficult. So, despite his reluctance, Reuben distributed several tapes to close friends to get some feedback. Within a few weeks, one of the tapes managed to catch the ear of a promoter who was sufficiently impressed that he offered to finance the professional recording of Reuben’s music, as well as its pressing, promotion and distribution. At first, somewhat unsure of his own desire to have his music widely distributed, Reuben warmed to the idea of sharing his vision with a larger audience. Although the promoter ultimately proved to be unable to carry through with his promise, the offer caught Reuben’s attention.When Reuben moved to Chicago in early 1997, he began to discuss his thoughts for releasing his music with Seraph. After sampling Reuben’s demo, it was clear that Reuben had something unique to offer. The first progeny of this relationship is "Within the Tears of Winter." Rachael’s.Surrender uses a variety of musical forms to create its unique style of "Gothic" music. Combining elements of "ambient" and "trance" music with "new age" structure, forceful rhythms, and point / counterpoint composition, Rachael’s.Surrender creates dark, mysterious, and enigmatic melodies.

Group Members reuben (vocals, keyboards, guitar);michael (bass guitar);tre (drums)

Albums Within The Tears of Winter

Press Reviews OUTBURN MAGAZINE's Issue 5 Review of the CD: Rachael's.Surrender combines industrial darkwave's danceabletechnological atmospheres with older classic dark pop elements,creating a range of moods from chillingly heavy to relativelyupbeat. Emotional male vocals relate lyrics inspired by melancholiaand occasional morbidity, set appropriately to sorrowful music.Heavy Lycia-like percussion, keyboards, and occasional guitar arethe main ingredients of Rachael's.Surrender's musical sound; suchdramatic touches as the pipe organ on "Only Somtimes..." and theangelic voice effects on "Silent Wings" give the album a distinctlygothic flare. Such tracks as "Rachael's.Surrender" and the powerfullyminimalist "Pain & Ecstasy" are made particularly outstanding bythe addition of beautiful piano interludes. Indeed, the piano'sappearance on many of the songs is a commendable choice, as itlends both a strength and subtlety which synthesizers may notachieve. Though it explores some of the same musical territorycrossed by such bands as Clan of Xymox and Depeche Mode, thisalbum does make it clear that Rachael's.Surrender is inspired tocreate a sound of its own by that which has come before it, ratherthan merely content to mimic it. - Lara Haynes, Outburn Magazine, Issue #5

Location Chicago, IL - USA

Copyright notice. All material on MP3.com is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. You may download this material and make reasonable number of copies of this material only for your own personal use. You may not otherwise reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, or create derivative works of this material, unless authorized by the appropriate copyright owner(s).