Cult Of Terrorism Unify Soothing Ambient Textures And Hypnotic Industrial Samples On ‘Megváltozhatatlanság’

When calmness and chaos collide, it can be an intriguing affair. As two distant-end spectral forces merge at the point of emotional confusion, the outcome is often unexpected – like the age old battle of good versus evil. In music, the aftermath of this emotional merger is a little more advantageous as our mental state is already at a heightened state of awareness with an illusory fixation. ‘Megváltozhatatlanság’ by Cult Of Terrorism portrays that same disconcerting situation with its unique brand of Dark Ambient. At its base, ‘Megváltozhatatlanság’ uses minimal drones and textures to devise a sense of tranquility, while on the other hand, Industrial soundscapes are injected to agitate the mind with frenzied audio terror. However, the combination of the two will escort the listener to a fascinating gray world where nothingness provides a soothing sense of anxious turmoil.

Sensational album opener, “Mitochondria, O Sindrome Di Le Tour (feat. 52-Hearts Whale)” instantly catapults the brainwaves into a hurried state as Industrial frequencies flow from side to side, creating the epicenter for a daring new world. However, ground zero quickly recovers as the menacing sounds give way to enticing drones, field recordings and melodic keys. Occasionally, harsh sounds can be heard in the background, reminding the listener that all is not safe when beauty and bleak collide. The next track is “υπναγωγικών [UNO STUDIO]” and it features synth pads that create a melodic atmosphere. Haunting keys play at intervals in the background while various effects add layers of warmth and stability. The muffled piano notes in “Qualcosa E’ Perduto” are soothing yet disturbing. Barely audible wind effects add a touch of mysticism to this otherwise cold and minimalistic track. “I’ll Sequestro Emozionale Prima Dell ‘Ultimo Gesto” kicks things back into high gear again, as a droning and discordant synth tone plays unadjusted for several minutes before layers of rigid effects and soundscapes take this song to a whole new dimension. By the time the track comes to a close, screeching synths are at the forefront, but somehow remain quite melodic. “La Fortezza Di Spine (feat. Valerio Orlandini)” keeps the Industrial momentum going with its dark, spongy drones. The addition of malevolent narrations and evil sounding textures makes this one of the standout tracks on the album. “Notturno [Il Tuo Cuore E’ Sacro] (feat. Testing Vault)” is another disturbing track that dabbles into Indistrial sampling and perfectly placed random sounds. The maniacal keys in the background maintain a monotone pattern, providing just enough normalcy to offset the controlled chaos that is happening in the foreground. The final track on the album, “Megváltozhatatlanság (feat. Meanwhile In Texas)” is a slow building track that centers around spacey drones and desolate soundscapes. At around the four and a half minute mark, the sound shift to a higher frequency with trance-like qualities. Soon thereafter, this song dissolves into oblivion, going out peacefully – just the opposite of how this album started.

Although Cult Of Terrorism has a frightening name, the music says otherwise. Even with spots of Industrial-tinged madness, this album – for the most part – is a a peaceful yet dark affair. ‘Megváltozhatatlanság’ is a very mesmerizing album, and with a great song foundation and seamless transitions between tracks, is also extremely enjoyable. It can be streamed in its entirety at the link below, so head on over to the site and check out this great work.

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Links:

https://totenschwan.bandcamp.com/album/tsr-111-megv-ltozhatatlans-g

Empty Chalice Ignite Cold And Repressed Auditory Visions On ‘Mother Destruction’

One of the missions of Dark Ambient is to instill otherworldly emotions and senses in order to expand the horizons of the conscious mind. If you allow your psyche to open up to the music, the reward can often be rewarding. Whether the listener is seeking solitude, darkness, horror, a deep space adventure, or just an escape from reality, no other genre of music will capture that experience quite like Dark Ambient. Empty Chalice excels are doing just that, as their brand of Dark Ambient is a culmination of ritualistic ambience, terrifying field recordings, grim sequences and sampling, as well as vocal narrations. All of these combined create the malevolent recording known as ‘Mother Destruction’. At just over fifty one minutes long, these five tracks of neural dread, will anesthetize the senses and draw the listener into a hollow realm of consternation as they try to find the exit back to a normal reality.

Prominent album opener, “Unholy Light”, penetrates the ear canals with jarring synth pads and frequent cymbal crashes as a bombinate drone sound breaks through and add a depressive dynamic to the track. Moments of eerie near-silence pull the listener down even further before more deep drones start to rumble again. Various instruments add brief moments of angst, but this track halts on a grim & long silent ending. “Treblinka’s Snow” begins with a calming drone with dreamy instrumentation heard in the distance. Soon, beautiful female narrations add to the story, and it creates a numbing effect with its soothing structure and pacing. Scattered samples are amply placed throughout the narration, followed by a harsher droning sequence. “Qva Resvrget Ex Favilla” is a downright sinister track, as it features black metal vocal style narrations, as well as clean, operatic singing. At around the seven minute mark, the track begins to morph into more of an industrial ambient piece, with screechy drones and piercing synth pads. The near fourteen minute long “Rest In Pain” begins with inaudible narrations that have a echo effect on them. Combined with some high-pitched drones, and melodic sequences playing in the background, this track is a slow builder but very rewarding in the ends. At around the three and a half minute mark, a mid-paced drum beat enters the picture as the melody of this song becomes more prevalent. Even after the drums fade away, the melody continues to play on for a few minutes and then too it fades into the hisses of the synth sequences. The final track on the album, “Mother Destruction” begins with haunting tape loops, obscure samples and alluring synths slowly fade in. As the drones grow louder and harsher, the tone of the track becomes more evil sounding and bleak samples can be heard throughout. The final couple minutes of this song is a slow burn into obscurity as all of the noises gradually seize to exist.

Empty Chalice takes the listener to a cold and empty world, where escaping becomes the nightmare. Over the course of fifty one minutes, ‘Mother Destruction’ creates atmospheres that are both serene and nefarious. Featuring various vocal and narration styles, as well as elements of percussion and sampling, this is a very diverse and musically versatile album. I highly recommend this if you’re into the more obscure styled Dark Ambient recordings. Show your support for this amazing artist by clicking on the link below.

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Links:

https://emptychalice.bandcamp.com/album/mother-destruction

Two Obscure – Yet Groundbreaking – Genres Collide On The Unfathomable ‘Crypt Hop Compilations I’

Who would have ever thought that two musical genres at the farthest ends of the sonic spectrum could provide so much listening pleasure when combined? Well, quite a few obviously, because it’s definitely a thing. Crypt Hop was born out of the enigma known as Dungeon Synth and the ambiguities of Memphis style hip hop from the early 90’s. If you’ve not heard artist from that genre such as Manson Family, Gangsta Pat and Three 6 Mafia (among others), you’re missing out on some of the early, most innovative artists from the Memphis Horrorcore genre. If you strip away the gangsta rap, hip hop beats and underlying samples, you’ll actually hear an early 90’s rendition of Dungeon Synth, that typically features lo-fi production and the structural hissing of vinyl and cassette tapes. Fast forward to 2020 and we have the Dungeon Synth-led ‘Crypt Hop Compilations I’, which features thirteen daring tracks from various artist that intend to leave their mark not only in the Dungeon, but also in the Crypt!

The track that begins this morose phenomenon is “Poltergeist Manifestation At Midnight Cemetery” by Kravtun. Ghastly lo-fi synths compete against background static before a stunning hip hop beat immerses to synchronize everything. A swift breakdown in the middle with layered synths before the massive beats and bass tone reignites to finish out the track. “Astrals” by Leneaux has the warm sounds of fantasy synth that is soon accompanied by smooth drum & bass with a constant clap track. The background organ tones throughout add a nice texture to the track. “The Horla” by The Spirit Of Luvenium begins with a traditional Dungeon Synth sound then is bombastically merged with a mid-paced trap beat that is right on point. “Unterwelt Pt. 1” by Orcaluv is more of a hip hop track, as it features some grime style rap but the music is undeniably cemented in Dungeon Synth. “Tenebris Et Spiritus” by Lurk starts with droning synth notes that tip the creepiness scale. Barbaric percussions are interlaced to give a big, theatrical sound as layers of instrumentation continue to build. As soon as it reaches that “wait for it” moment, narrative samples take over, leading the anticipation, then it happens – slow, doom-like hip hop beats explode onto the track for the final minute. “Towers Of Time” by Moon Druid is truly unique in that it features an early 80’s style hip hop beat and clean sounding synth tone. Soon in, it changes to a more modern sound with a lush atmosphere. The track then morphs back into its original beat to close out the track. “On The Darkest Occurrence That Has Ever Happened By Right Of My Own Hand” by Pharanick is a straight up horrorcore rap track with eerie backing music and with medieval rapping about wizards and daggers, what can go wrong? “Windy Night (Crypt Hop Remix)” by Francis Robert is another superb fantasy/forest synth-based track with manic hip hop beats and throbbing bass lines. “From The Ashes Of Bael’s Kingdom” by Erythrite Throne is my favorite on this compilation. The multi-layered synth work is amazing and the quality Of Dungeon Synth in this one track is unmatched. Not only is the production spot-on, but the beats are amazing as they consistently ebb and flow with the tempo change of the music. “His Crimes Against The Realm” by Poodle Knight is another amazing track as it has multiple genre influences. Not only hip hop and Dungeon Synth, but I also hear influences of early synthwave on this track and it fits in perfectly. “Skull Bong” by Resinator begins with ambient undertones, Tibetan bowl sounds, and narrative samples before introducing a dark dub beat and discordant sound effects that are reminiscent of early-90’s pioneering electronic experimental artist, Scorn. “Noblesnatch” by Were-Panther is one of the most unique tracks on this compilation as it features medieval times centered rapping, 8-bit sound effects, chorus breakdowns, and a whirlwind of strange instruments. However, as weird as it is, it’s also a highly addictive listen and probably my second favorite track on the album. The final track, “Belabored With Mysteries” by DJ 行者, is a three and a half minute trip hop, psychedelic adventure that properly closes out this astonishing compilation.

What more is there to say? This compilation album is pure fire! The artists selected for this project have a gift for fusing two seemingly incompatible genres of music and making it sound like a band of gangsta’s should be raiding a castle with 9mm’s instead of swords. At any rate, this compilation is an incredible body of work in which these artists should all be proud to be a part of. If this is any indication of what’s to come, then I can’t wait for what the future has in store for Crypt Hop! Show your support for these artists and download this album from the link below.

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Links:

https://crypthopcompilations.bandcamp.com/releases

Beyond The Below Offer Disturbing Sounds With Tranquil Piano Arrangements & Turbulent Field Recordings on, ‘Heart Like An Empty Coffin’

Every time I listen to a Dark Ambient recording, I hear it as a soundtrack to a particular moment in time. Whether its from a horrific era that has passed, an ominous & futuristic existence that has yet to happen, or the treacherous present that continues to unfold before our very eyes right now, this genre excels at bringing out the most emotional state of our being in order to imagine such scenarios and how humanity has evolved (or continues to evolve). On ‘Heart Like An Empty Coffin’, Beyond The Below covers each of those era’s by using intelligent field recordings, well-crafted piano arrangements, and modest use of long-form drones to create a unique sound that can be identified with a specific aeon. That’s not to say that there are several distinct sounds on this recording, it just means that Beyond The Below has a keen ear for sounds that expand the epoch of time. Let’s dive into this extraordinary recording.

Engaging album opener, “Downpour”, starts with a menacing piano note that embeds its presence in the conscious by its continual mesmerizing play. Scorching synth frequencies create an unnerving expanse as the field recordings start to filter in. The time setting seems to take the listener from a not-so-distant past to a near-distant apocalyptic future. More beautiful piano notes play over evaporating synth drones as the song comes to an abrupt end. “Kill The Past” begins with haunting piano melodies and distorted field recordings, creating a very bleak atmosphere. Majestic synth arrangements are introduced, establishing a smooth tone, while cosmic sound effects randomly break through as if introduced from a futuristic time portal. “Cleansing The Cursed” starts with night time sound effect, then the abrupt breakthrough of piano notes and industrial synths real havoc as if providing the score for a horror movie. “Solitudinous” features the looping hiss of antique recording techniques as retro-wave keys influence a time where industrial wastelands ruled the earth, and bands of outlaws protected its natural resources from other groups. Although one of the shorter tracks on the album, this one stands out as one of my favorites. “Creatures Sing At Night” is one of the creepiest songs on the album, as the opening elements feature obscure vocals and deep piano notes. The constant inaudible field recording in the background is enough to bring on additional anxiety. “Ghosts Of The Sun” has some of the best piano melody on the album and the echo effect really sets this track in high gear. The warm drones in the background, offer a safe haven for the imagination as this track is calming, while offering bits of discordant harmony. “Love Once Lost” starts with a synth tone that sounds like a submarine sonar. As this sequence continues to play, industrial synths are layered in, as well as additional sound effects that creates a sense of angst. The final track on the album, “Darkness Speaks”, wastes no time creating ominous sounds as harsh industrial frequencies and beautiful piano notes collide in absolute harmony. After several minutes of alluring synth overlays, the track transitions into an industrialized nightmare filled with dissonant sounds and a short blast of nightmarish vocals. Such an ideal way to end this fantastic album.

Beyond The Below take a more theatrical approach to Dark Ambient than a lot of other artist. Shedding the constant, enduring drones and epic track lengths for shorter, cinematic structured tunes that contain a variety of instrumentation and styles, ‘Heart Like An Empty Coffin’ is an enigmatic album that will appeal to a wide variety of music listeners. I highly recommend checking this one out, so please click on the link below and add this gem to your collection.

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Links:

https://beyondthebelow.bandcamp.com/album/heart-like-an-empty-coffin

Abhasa Amalgamate Ritualistic Dark Ambient And Bewildering Black Metal On ‘१’

Ritualistic forms of art have been around for centuries, providing people with an outlet for conveying their ceremonious rites. In music, it’s an all-out free form, and emotional channel that allows artists to express their craft freely and without restraint. Abhasa epitomizes this condition by combining metal, ambient textures and liturgical sentiment on the massively impressive album titled ‘१’. Showing huge amounts of restraint, Abhasa lets the music and atmosphere set the pace by creating the beautiful, emotional tone that will catapult the listener to an ethereal location – for at least the fifty minute duration of this album.

Holistic album opener, “१“, sets the spiritual tone as the hum of Tibetan bowls and ringing bells provide meaning and direction for this ceremonious journey. Field recordings of a natural setting amplify the experience. This vibe continues and seamlessly leads into “२”, which features more Tibetan bowl sounds, and the introduction of more modern instrumentation. Droning guitar riffs slowly crescendo their way into the mix, becoming louder and at their apex, the strums of distorted guitars make their presence known. After a few strums, it stops and after a short break, a beautiful acoustic passage begins, taking this track to new heights. As this track fades into “३”, the ambience slowly fades and gives way to a harsher, post-black metal sound. Interestingly, it has a very dreamy sound thanks to the ghostly production efforts. The next track, “४” starts with an acoustic riff that is quickly abandoned for a louder, more depressive tone. As this being one of the longer tracks, it gives the listener time to soak in the alluring guitar tone that’s equivalent to polarizing dark ambience. “५” begins with malevolent soundscapes and obscure field recordings that provide a sense of dread. The hiss of a guitar creates additional atmospheric tones as well. As the ambiguity fades, the sudden violent rush of distorted guitars introduce the next track, “६”. At just over twelve minutes, this saga runs through harsh metal parts, acoustic passages and ambient atmospheres while maintaining an even keel of emotional moments. The final track on the album, “७” blazes with discordant and blackened riffs, while the drums blast through like an assault weapon at a firing range. At around the half way mark, enticing keys create an exuberant atmosphere before the harsh tones pick up again. After a few minutes, the song finally fades to the sounds of the strums of an acoustic guitar.

The ritualistic sounds of Abhasa are undeniable, as they penetrate the ears and soul with emotional atmospheric music that border the genres of black metal and dark ambient. Now with the backing of the incredible Mystic Timbre label for a cassette release, this prodigious effort can be heard and enjoyed across multiple platforms. Click on the link below to download this ceremonious release!

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Links:

https://abhasa.bandcamp.com/

Shelter-In-Place Dark Ambient & Dungeon Synth Playlist

We are living in dark times and whether we like it or not, we are witnessing a historical occasion that is effecting the whole world. Although many people still have to work, legions of the worlds population are under a strict shelter-in-place order. Not to make light of the situation, but what better time is there to check out some awesome artists that you may have never heard of before, or to revisit some newer albums that stand out amongst the others. These are some of my (current) favorite albums to listen to and I’m sharing them with you as a recommendation. Check out and support these amazing artists (and labels).

Recommended in Dark Ambient:

https://hiemalambient.bandcamp.com/album/vacant

https://scottlawlor.bandcamp.com/album/badseed

https://cycliclaw.bandcamp.com/album/the-outside

https://cryochamber.bandcamp.com/album/shortwave-ruins

https://cryochamber.bandcamp.com/album/dystopian-gate

https://cycliclaw.bandcamp.com/album/scenes-from-the-sublime

Recommended In Dungeon Synth (and beyond):

https://borg.bandcamp.com/album/woodland

https://serpentsswordrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-woods-of-galdura

https://crypthopcompilations.bandcamp.com/releases

https://jenntaiga.bandcamp.com/album/plight

https://coniferousmyst.bandcamp.com/album/queen-of-the-timberline-realms

https://criptadel.bandcamp.com/album/the-goblin-market

Regen Graves Delivers A Synthesis Of Krautrock And Space Ambient On Vintage-Styled Offering ‘Herbstlicht’

I don’t usually start my reviews by discussing my opinion of album art, however, I think artwork is an intricate part of the listening experience, especially for the dark ambient genre. For me, when listening to dark ambient, the emotional experience is just as important as the music itself, because it free’s your mind without limitations and allows you to drift off into experiences that you may not be able to encounter in a lifetime. The cover art is equally important because it gives you a first impression of the experience at hand. When I first saw the artwork for Regen Grave’s latest album, ‘Herbstlicht’, I was mesmerized by the desolation and despondency caught in a single image. The gloomy weather, old buildings and empty streets paint a harrowing story of something menacing that could have happened during that time period. Although herbstlicht is German for Autumn Light, this cover depicts a particular dismal coldness that could have a reverse meaning. Musically, ‘Herbstlicht’ is chilling dark ambient with a vintage tone that could very be the soundtrack for what is happening in the album art. That’s why the entanglement of artwork and music is so important.

Eerie album opener, “Das Morgengrauen” begins with a low end bass drone that pushes the frequency spectrum with its tonal distortion. Also featuring some space ambient atmospherics, the high pitched synth effects randomly penetrate the atmosphere with discord of sounds and noises. “Leere Straßen” starts with an unearthly presence of layered synth sounds that have a dark, ubiquitous vibe. Horror-like keys play a dim melody, adding a sense of frenzied commotion. “Der Erste Schnee” introduces a narrative recording on top of spacious drones, creating an chilling, yet chaotic atmosphere. With a track length of nearly thirteen minutes long, this epic adventure takes the listener through various stages of obscurity. “Besuch” presents horrifying sound effects with inaudible narrations as if a warning message is broadcasting to an abandoned community after a tragic event has occurred. As the warning continues to play, low end frequencies and field recording mesh together to yield terrible uncertainty. “Zersetzung” features percussive elements and melodic keyboard tones in a short, apocalyptic number that sets the stage for the final track. “Rote Blätter” is an eleven and a half minute long track full of demise and oblivion. The synth effects have an abeyance-like nature to them while intermittent intonations seem more strident as the song continues.

Regen Graves epitomizes excellence when it comes to bizarre tones and spacey drones. The minimal use of field recordings and spacey narrations work perfectly with these tracks as they present a graphic story that may be depicted in the cover art. ‘Herbstlicht’ is a very impressive recording that not only has a vintage sound, but also represents the dark ambient genre with superb integrity. Please support this incredible artist and download the album from the link below.

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Links:

https://regengraves.bandcamp.com/album/herbstlicht

Darkness Descends Upon The ‘Lost Souls Of The River’ By The Cryptic Artist Known As DøD

There are many legends and stories of what happens to a persons soul after they die. In some modern religions, it is said that the soul is judged by God and then it is determined whether the soul will spend an eternity in Heaven or Hell. There is also a tale that the soul will wander the Earth until it finds closure for the untimely demise of its physical counterpart. However, the lore of the soul can sometimes be told by the powerful broadcast of dark ambient music. DøD presents us with a mystifying vision of roaming spirits in ‘Lost Souls Of The River’. This short collection of aberrant drones gives a chilling insight of the afterlife meandering about, searching for answers in the watery mazes that ended their existence.

“Lost Souls Of The River I” is a gradual builder and the eerie soundscapes ascend in slow motion, like distorted figures emerging from a dense fog that drowns the coast line of a dissipated canal. As the mass of souls congregate around the banks of the waterways, darkened drones intensify, while jarring keys provide textures of industrial-like sounds that are the essence of evil. Perpetual drum beats provide the aspect of existence for the souls as their presence is now known and must be dealt with. “Lost Souls Of The River II” begins with guttural synth tones and sinister soundscapes that resemble a horror-like cinematic score. Toward the end, eccentric keys play a deranged arrangement before the guttural sounds kick in again to end the song. “Lost Souls Of The River III” is rooted in warm drones that pulsate through ominous keyboard effects and rain-like field recordings. Erratic tones oscillate from one side to another like a comet racing through the atmosphere. The final track on this distressing recording is “Lost Souls Of The River IV”. With searing orchestrations and bleak keyboard tones, this track is the climactic ending for the spirits that were set adrift, searching for answers of their mortal departure. Minimal electronic pulses exaggerate the expediency of their mission but a sudden inaudible scream puts and end to it all and the song soon fades into oblivion.

‘Lost Souls Of The River’ is a fascinating piece of work and stands out in the Dark Ambient genre. With a great mix of ambient, warm drones, field recordings and sensational keys & pads, DøD delivers a remarkable first look into a new project filled with many surprises and imaginative tales. Although this was a short EP, it was very entertaining and I enjoyed it very much. I’m really looking forward to hearing more dark & disturbing tunes from this artist and I highly recommend checking out this release. Please show your support and download ‘Lost Souls Of The River’ from the link below.

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Links:

https://dod0119.bandcamp.com/album/lost-souls-of-the-river

Execration Chamber Blend Cinematic Quality Score With Lo-Fi Dungeon Synth On The Intrepid ‘Cathedral Of Unbeing’

Is there a more perfect time to listen to Dungeon Synth than now? As we’re faced with the global pandemic known at COVID-19, many people are confined to their own homes in order to prevent the spread of the deadly virus – basically being imprisoned in their dungeon until it’s safe to – once again – interact with society. The mood just seems right to consume some lo-fi Dungeon Synth, to take you back to those Medieval days of malicious captivity. One artist that is an absolute fit during this trying time is Execration Chamber, and on ‘Cathedral Of Unbeing’ the infusion of cinematic composition and lo-fi Dungeon Synth is just what the doctor ordered to cure the ailments of solitude.

Monumental album opener, “The Lesser Felled” begins with the soaked sounds of a heavy rain field recording, followed by dense layers of keys that harmonize in a symphonic way. The sound is gloomy and mournful but played with a sense of hope and reason. As the song comes to a close, the sounds of heavy rainfall can be heard for one final time. “Gaunt, The Night” introduces bombastic percussive elements as if an anticipated Medieval battle is on the dawn of existence. The solo keys really standout as they are crisp and have the perfect tone to augment the background rhythm. “Buried In Time” has a bleak feeling to it, as it’s galloping cadence matches the simple beat that accompanies it throughout. At times, the keys become discordant as the sound becomes more harrowing. “The Great Purging Of Memories” sounds as if it could have been an intro to an early 90’s lo-fi black metal recording with its eerie tone and divergent arrangement. “A Hallowed End Of Passage” would be the perfect track to lead a garrison of warriors into battle. With its fast-paced, rhythmic patterns, this is just the motivation needed to carry out an assault on an enemy invasion. “Imminent Warfare” is a battle-ready anthem that features wondrous organ sounds and precision drum pulses that emit a culture of feudal decadence. “Crawling Tombs” is a dismal track that has components of lush textures and emphatic keys. The continuous pounding of the drum sounds as if the surviving warriors of a brutal battle are in sync, heading back to their kingdom to recover from their wounds. “Wept In Blood” is a dismal canticle with massively layered keyboard tones that are a vivid reminder of the tragedies that preceded times of peace. The final song on the album, “Dimly” is a sorrowful dirge filled with depressive sounding keyboards that perfectly compliment the emotional journey that this album has taken us.

‘Cathedral Of Unbeing’ is an incredible album that has that old-school Dungeon Synth vibe but with and an updated cinematic quality to it. It’s fantastic to see such a broad spectrum of musical sounds collide in an epic adventure with such a prosperous outcome. These tracks flow together so well and just like many other amazing Dungeon Synth recordings, they tell a valiant Medieval story of both victory and tragedy. I’m very much looking forward to hearing more adventurous tales from Execration Chamber, but in the meantime, please support this improbable artist by downloading ‘Cathedral Of Unbeing’ from the link below.

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Links:

https://execrationchamber.bandcamp.com/album/cathedral-of-unbeing

Audioalias Fuse Elements Of Downtempo and Drum & Bass To Form Mystifying Electronic Ambience On The Intelligent Offering, ‘Birds Of Prey’ EP

The atmospheric sounds of ambient music is a transcendent phenomenon. Although it doesn’t (normally) contain a rhythmic beat or percussive pattern, this mainly texturally layered music is mixed with soundscapes and the occasional field recording to produced an empowered and emotional music brand that is very addictive. However, due to the open-ended realm of the song compositions, it leaves a lot of room for experimentation and genre mixing. That being said, what do you get when you take the rooted consistency of ambient and combine it with the smooth vibes of downtempo and drum & bass music? You get the supreme recordings of Audioalias, the experimental electronic project from Melbourne, Australia, and on ‘Birds Of Prey’, you get four songs of magnificent electronic culture that combines the dreamy elements of ambient & soundscapes with the upbeat and rhythmic pulses of downtempo music.

To get things started on this EP, “Awkward Serenity” fades in with a looped drum beat and low end bass lines. Simple but effective digital piano arrangements can be heard providing a melodic balance. Additional sounds and keyboard effects augments random spots throughout, creating a spacious groove. The title track, “Birds Of Prey” begins with a haunting keyboard segment that loops, providing a cadence for the harrowing bass and beat to catch up with. Once all in sync, this fluid jam lay ground to additional sounds, tones and catchy vocal lines. Just as your mind and soul start to sink into the music hysteria, it fades out to the end of the track. “Port Park” has moments of darkwave and synthwave, showing versatility and the willingness to cross additional musical paths. Aside from a couple of spots of spoken word samples, there is a lot of looping elements to this track with some beautiful mixing moments. This one is probably my favorite song on the album. The final track, “Waiting For You” contains the most ambience as well as some killer vocal effects. This track is a slow builder, as it layers instrumentations and sounds practically one at a time until there is a conglomerate of musical ideas going on that form a chilling and climactic ending. This really gives me something to look forward to with future releases from Audioalias.

I really like the direction that Audioalias is going with electronic experimentation. Having the ability to combine elements from multiple genres of music takes talent and skill and there is no doubt that Audioalias has both. Audioalias also recently conducted an interview with Emanate Community, where he discussed his inspirations, collaborations and recording gear. I’ve included that interview link below so please check it out as it’s a wonderful read! In the meantime, you can check out ‘Birds Of Prey’ by clicking on the Bandcamp link below.

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Links:

https://audioalias1.bandcamp.com/album/birds-of-prey

Audioalias Interview With Emanate:

View at Medium.com