I'm not that much familiar with the work of Faith And The Muse, even if they are active since early nineties. From their bio I read that their first three albums were kinda ethereal, goth and a little bit industrial and the duo met at a live gig where they were playing with their own projects: Strange Boutique and Shadow Project. William Faith (ex- Christian Death, Mephisto Walz, Sex Gang Children, and Shadow Project member) and Monica Richards (ex- Strange Boutique member) in ten years produced fine tunes and kept the band as a multi level experience including also form of theatre. THE BURNING SEASON is their first album I've got the opportunity to listen to and as I read on the bio it's an important one, as it represent a sort of changement, being the first one to be opened to other influences than only goth ones. As my first experience into the realm of William and Monica I must admit that I enjoyed their album: all the influences are well balanced and it never happened that I got annoyed, as usual it happens to me when I receive an ethereal goth record. All the "relaxed" moments (as on "Gone To Ground" or "Willow's Song") are real classy and are always able to catch the listener's attention and this is for sure a gift. You know, it's simple to play forty minutes of so called medioeval tunes or else, but it's difficult to melt all the various influences into something personal and cool and this is for sure the case. Echoes of March Violets (like on "Relic Song") duets with atmospheres a la Cocteau Twins of "Bouddicea" or with the electronic new wave of "Failure To Thrive". Really impressive.