For the past couple of years, the Cryo Chamber label has been on quite a roll with releasing an impressive stint of collaboration albums. The Dark Ambient genre is already a special musical environment and on many occasions, it’s easy to identify certain artists based on their style. So, when these collaboration albums are released, I look forward to the fusion of the various styles of some of my favorite artists to see what kind of sonic concoction they have in store. In the case of this review, we have Dronny Darko – the King of dismal drones teaming up with Ajna – the majestic arbiter of ominous soundscapes to produce the enigmatic offering, ‘Radioactive Immersion’. This is not the first time these two Dark Ambient Titans have collaborated and hopefully it won’t be the last, as this is atmospheric modulation at its best.
Like music from a sinister movie soundtrack, “Anomalous Gravity Distortion” blasts out an array of malevolent effects to set a devious mood, providing a platform for a darkened endeavor. Haunting drones reverberate cautiously while a cluster of soundscapes create a claustrophobic vacuum in which there is no escape. “Bottomless Gorge” continues the bleak excursion through abandoned corridors and empty chambers of energy. Sudden bursts of pulsating modulations create a sense of dread as isolation becomes the driving factor behind the minimalistic drones and pads. “Electromagnetic Pulse” commences with a terrifying drone that crescendos from the depths of a radioactive inferno. As the fiery field recordings blaze on, nominal soundscapes keep the listener in suspense while subtle variance in the music is sparse but affective. “Uranium 235” begins with the crackles of positive radioactive energy before gravitating to a dense drone, combined with creepy synth effects and jarring sounds that are right out of a nightmare. Narrations can be heard deep in the mix but they are inaudible as a result of the mass decimation caused by the preceding, disastrous events. “Plutonium Clouds (feat. protoU)” begins with a lighter drone and ominous soundscapes that are a result of the fallout from the mass contamination that obliterated everything in its wake. There is a somber vibe to the synth arrangements and it almost has a Space Ambient sound. “Mutated DNA” starts with an eerie drone that builds and collapses over and over again, while various soundscapes and effects provide a sense of disparity. The sound bits are totally random, but fit in with the theme of the album and help describe what may be happening next – the creation of a new horrific being out of the ashes of an unprecedented nuclear fallout. The final track on the album is the near twelve and a half minute long, “Radioactive Immersion”. Instead of starting with a drone, it sounds more like a pack of crawling insects, scurrying for cover as an undisclosed disturbance is in the air. An assortment of field recordings and synth effects are the focus in this track as it’s primary objective is to create a dark scene of impiety and post-apocalyptic dread. About halfway through, sonic drones add a celestial balance as if the dawn of a new beginning were on the horizon. These ethereal tones fade in and out of the mix several times as if relieving tension of a desolate nature. By the end of the track, the synth effects have faded and all that is left is the oscillating drones.
‘Radioactive Immersion’ is an aural journey to an abandoned nuclear reactor, haunted by past indiscretions and the lackluster efforts of mankind. This album is dark & deep and the music really submerges the listener into a toxic wasteland of tarnished energy and the grim outcome of its horrific meltdown. Dronny Darko and Ajna are not only the best Dark Ambient producers to convey this energy, but their masterful efforts set the bar pretty high for collaboration albums. Please click on the link below and download this intense release immediately.
Please Like/Follow my blog so that you’ll get first hand updates every time I post a review. Thanks for visiting the Dungeon!!
Links:
https://cryochamber.bandcamp.com/album/radioactive-immersion
Dungeon Synth & Dark Ambient Reviews!! 