One of my favorite thematic subjects for a Dark Ambient album is the vast, dark ocean and the menacing evils that lurk within its chaotic abyss. It’s even more fitting when two of Dark Ambient’s most accomplished artists collaborate for this type of setting and produce an all-out maritime nightmare. However, this is not the first time Dronny Darko and Ugasanie have joined forces on such an event, as they released the chaotically impressive ‘Arctic Gates’ back in 2019 on the Cryo Chamber label. Now, four years later, they are back with a follow-up album and it’s just as bleak and ominous as their first. ‘Dark Source Of The North’ is an aquatic ordeal that delivers a punishing array of soundscapes through an incessant void. The eight tracks contained within produce an otherworldly soundtrack of futile escapism and amaurotic malevolence.
“In Search Of An Object” wastes no time in submerging the listener in a vast, cold ocean surrounded by emptiness and horrifying seclusion. Deep drones, complimented by reverberated textures creates an overwhelming sensation of solitude. As the sound continues to flow and become more aggressive, this nightmarish scenario becomes inescapable. Opaque winds increase for a moment before subsiding with the end of the song. In the second track, “Anomaly”, frigid ocean currents crash against an unprotected shore, creating a sort of naturalistic dominance. Obscure sound effects commence, producing a repulsive sound, only enhanced by deep, droning textures. As the ocean waves subside, the faint abhorrence of distant thunderstorms display an inevitable conclusion of chaotic force and destruction. As the end of the track nears, industrialized chaos create an audible pandemonium before being overtaken once again by crashing waves on a desolate seashore. “In A Magnetic Field” begins with a sinister effect that modulates as if it’s in heavy rotation and being prepare for a destructive scenario. Space Ambient styled drones begin to increase in broad layers as various, creepy effects paint a vivid picture of apocalyptic proportions. “Presence” immediately thrusts into a collision course with an abysmal void with intense drones and arcane noises that are downright terrifying. At the peak of these sound encounters, they maintain their intensity for a while before collapsing into a single drone. Assorted effects are heard in the distance as if fleeing from an anarchic discord. The main drone also builds into a soothing atmosphere for the final few minutes of the song. “Contact” commences with a single drone that emulates a distant beacon, either providing an early warning or waywardly sounding off due to a malfunction. As it continues to fade, synth pads ascend onto the darkness with hints of obscure orchestrations and howling, digital winds. As panic begins to set in, inaudible vocalizations and elongated modulations paint a gloomy scenario of solitude. As the track nears completion, random jolts of high pitch sounds produce a peculiar sound akin to large drops of acid rain bouncing off of industrial material corroding away in a barren wasteland. “Consequences” is one of the shorter tracks on the album so it rushes in quicker than the other offerings and builds layers of destructive patterns within the first minute. Not to say it’s an all out audial assault, this track is masterfully arranged and sets the album up for a climactic ending with the remaining tracks. “Transition” begins with a deep, slightly distorted drone, as if a large vessel is passing by without warning. As the vessel draws near, the tones increase in volume and adds subtle soundscapes that are eerie but luminous. There is a lot of reverb usage in some of the effects, producing a colossal sound design that is beyond epic. The final track on this distressing album is “On The Other Side Of The Arctic Gates”. Instead of beginning with an ominous drone, bells toll in different ranges, symbolizing the traversing to calmer waters. Although many dark obstacles were observed and navigated along the way, the journey to the other side has turned out to be just as challenging. As the layers of aggressively sounding drones kick in, the sense of adventure continues down a dark path in the form of various soundscapes and dystopian-like effects. Proving that wastelands can also be aquatic, the forceful winds and soothing ocean waves at the end are a fitting finale for this esoteric and mysterious album.
Dronny Darko and Ugasanie have once again proven that their collaboration efforts produce top tier results. ‘Dark Source Of The North’ is a fantastic follow up to their 2019 ‘Arctic Gates’ album and if they choose to produce more albums with this same theme, I’d eagerly welcome it. The Cryo Chamber label always provides a solid platform for the best in cinematic Dark Ambient music and this solid release is right up there with the best of the best. If you’re a fan of sinister Dark Ambient music that ventures beyond time and space, definitely check out this album from the link below.
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Links:
https://cryochamber.bandcamp.com/album/dark-source-of-the-north
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