Although the CrŸxshadows are among my favourite bands, I have never enjoyed any releases of theirs upon the first hearing. It's always taken two listenings to get to the eventual state of adoration. I think it's quite possible that this is true for other fans or even first-time listeners of the band- If you're not completely enamoured of Frozen Embers by the third listening, you most likely will feel the same about the other albums. This was my first of their CDs, an esteemed member of my CD rack, and a learning experience. You can't always judge a CD by hearing it once.

Few bands can create successful re-mix EPs that you want to listen to over and over, but CXS have done it.Even if you dont like remixes but it for the glorious acoustic version of "Winterborn".

My friend gave me this cd, because she knew i was a fan of the Cruxshadows...have been since i got the TEARS cd... I put this cd in my player and the most beautiful song played. WINTERBORN, it might be their best song yet. Then DANCE FLOOR METAPHOR came on and i couldn't resist,I had to get up and dance. FROZEN EMBERS also has great remixes of Return, Seraphs, and Go Away. Which are three of my favorite songs from WISHFIRE. I would definitely recommend getting this cd as an introduction to the Cruxshadows. Other Favorite songs of mine are MONUMENT off of MYSTERY OF A WHISPER; WITHIN from the TEARS cd; and SPECTATORS from WISHFIRE. I absolutely love when Rogue does spoken word stuff...mostly Edgar Allen Poe poems. I just love his voice. Rachel's violin solos are so beautiful. I love when people incorporate violins into their music. Especially when it's Goth-y Dance music. I can't wait for them to come to Detroit. I can't wait to see them live.

When i found out this release was coming I pre-ordered it as soon as I possibly could even without knowing anything about the cd,When it arrived I could not have been happier. The music is almost an extension of the Wishfire cd plus a preview of the upcoming Cruxshadows cd due in November. If you hated Wishfire I believe you will feel the same about this cd because its a small collection of remixes and a few new songs plus a bonus for people who wanted to own Deception and not get it only on a gothic sampler. For the fans who loved Wishfire,this disc will be a real treat for you! One thought I did have though,due to some of the somewhat un-inspired remixes I almost gave the disc a 4 but the new songs on Frozen Embers definatly make it easy to give this cd a 5 star rating because they are that good! A few of the mixes though due tend to get a bit boring after a while.

Here is a song by song review of Frozen Embers.

1.Winter Born - A new track that kind of shows resemblance of Wishfire on many levels. At times I feel im listening to The Seraphs then other times Binary with a mix of Spiral... Its an odd song but its not bad,just a bit differant.

2.Dance Floor Metaphore - Oh yeah! This song completly grabed me! It starts off with an electro beat similar to Binary from Wishfire but when it kicks in,it stops resembling Binary and takes shape all on its own. With the intense chorus of Take back the dancefloor,this track makes the disc worth owning. Plus it will be a great song for electro-goth dj's

3.Return (Coming home) *The Dreamside remix part 1*- Kind of a down tempo remix , almost dreamy with slower beats. Interesting take on the song.

4.Return (Coming home) *The Dreamside remix pt 2* Semi electro-clash hybrid trance remix. Not very inspired and feels almost like a filler space. Its not bad,just un-inspired. Part 1 is much better.

5.The Seraphs *Revox lost souls remix* - Oh yeah,This version is simply amazing. The music is a bit sped up from the original with more break beats and with the new version Rogue has went in and re-recorded the vocals and made an incredible remix. There is alot of layers to this remix. Anyone who loved the original needs to hear this mix.

6.Winter Born (Club/radio edit) - Not that much differant then the first track on the cd. The vocals were slightly changed and the music a bit more steady electronic.

7.Go Away *Future Bible Heroes remix* Ok this was one of the slower points on the Wishfire release and this is of no exeption. The remix is very down tempo and relaxing. A remix that was done very well.

8.Sinking - Another new song,This kind of keeps the slow of the remix of Go Away. It is slower but pretty dancable. The Rachel's violin is really showing through here. It shows another new side of Cruxshadows ever evolving sound.

9.Return (Coming Home) *Tenebrous remix* - There isnt much to say about this mix , sounds almost like he took progressive house and music that resembles Return and just threw it together,

It really could have been done better.

10.Winter Born *Sacraficial acoustic remix* - An acoustic remix of the song , this is so emotional! Just a slow violin,a slight hint of piano and an acoustic guitar with re-done vocals. The song is a great addition to Frozen Embers. It really helped move the disc in place for a wrap up.

11.Return (Coming Home) *Tenebrous remix* Trance drum kicks with the original violin tracks. It doesnt sound very much differant from the original,just the guitar has been mostly replaced by electronics. Its an ok remix but they changed a few things that I really liked about the original.

12.Return (Coming Home) *DJ DAn Fords 555 remix* An actual trance remix of Return. For fans of Trance music this is a great remix,those who dont like trance will probably really dislike this remix. I think the remix is pretty well done but much of the song has been altered from the original.

13. Deception (Original English version)

Ok FINALLY This song is on an official release from Cruxshadows,This is the original edit that appears on the gothic sampler Vampire The Masquerade.

Over all I feel the disc is something to hold the fans over until the next release plus get out some remixes that was done as well. Its a good solid cd that did get a little over done by too many remixes but if I have to get a few remixes that were just ok and not terrible to get some wonderful new music from Cruxshadows then its well worth it!

The Cruxshadows have done it again.. This time with a single. Not just any single, mind you. For "Frozen Embers" the band has managed to produce a single, longer than the full length albums of other bands out there! The effort shows through in this chilling collection of remixes! 5 stars and counting!