dark ambient

I can't remember exactly when my fascination with dark ambient began but it certainly had something to do with labels like Cold Meat Industry and Cyclic Law. There was a time when I devoured their releases. Today, still, acts like Raison D'être, Svartsinn, Desiderii Marginis and Kammarheit are almost constantly present in my playlists. Some of my friends still wonder why I am so depressed but they just don't get it. They only listen to happy music because they are scared to get in touch with their deep, dark emotions and thoughts. But, that's their problem, not mine. I'd rather lock myself in, blast one of these awesome records through the speakers and mind my own business.

Pär Boström is a master in his craft, which he has been for ages. I don't think I can remember any of Kammarheit's releases being disappointing. 'Thronal' is no exception to that sentiment. From the first drones of opener 'Iron Bloodstream' it is very clear that we're dealing with another high-quality dark ambient album. You'll get exactly what you expect from a class-act in this genre: ominous, enigmatic and suspenseful music, inspired by dreams and the growing darkness of the world around us. 

“I took the crown and the throne acted as a magnet, drawing the attention of distant stars…” Boström claims somewhat predictive. Perhaps yes, perhaps Kammarheit is the current heir to the throne of the dark ambient scene, although that is an unforgiving decision to make. The genre has been growing like crazy in the past several years so It's hard to stand out in the seemingly endless pool of dark ambient artists. With that, the question rises: what is it that makes Kammarheit stand out? The answer is quite simple: experience.

Whenever someone asks you what dark ambient sounds like, you can give him a Kammarheit album. Any track will do, although tunes like 'Carving The Coordinates' and the closer 'The Magnetic Throne' are my personal favorites on this particular album. The deep drones, the strong and dreamy soundscapes, the haunting atmosphere, everything is here and everything has been put together by a highly talented and experienced artist.

Kammerheit stand for perfect dark ambient, nothing more, nothing less. Don't expect too much experimentation on 'Thronal'. Boström leaves that to some of his colleagues while he himself focuses on his tiny gloomy universes. That's perfectly fine, I'm sure all fans of classic dark ambient will agree with me on that. That's probably the only thing you need to remember from this review: Kammarheit is back, rejoice.


​Serge

dark ambient

The sound mapping compilations of the Italian Unexplained Sounds Group label offers new and interesting electronic sounds from all over the globe. Their sub-label ZeroK has released a collection of more electronic resonances definitely worth listening to in our opinion. 

When we noticed which artists contributed on Music For Abandoned Cold War Places, we were very sure this wasn’t just horse shit. With the most interesting among underground dark ambient artist gathered on this album, we were already certain about a high quality result. This compilation is curated by Raffaele Pezzella (Sonologyst) and provides sound structures inspired by abandoned places from the almost forgotten Cold War period.

The album sweats tension, darkness, and has strange but vibrant vibrations that translate an almost ancient desolation of a world on the brink of nuclear disaster. Music For Abandoned Places literally takes us on a remarkable sound journey between history and modern mythology. All the artists have done a fantastic job of looking deep into their talent and creative afflatus. This project is a part of a wider conception focused on derelict, dismantled, or even vanishing places.
The Music For Abandoned Cold War Places anthology goes beyond standard dark ambient tunes. We were launched with experimental  and eerie dark ambient, murky drones, sound effects of sirens, registrations of Geiger counters and bizarre echoes of nuclear poisoning. The cooperative artists on this awesome release are: Grey Frequency, Joel Gilardini, HLER, Phalioo, Kloob, Super8music, SÍLENÍ, Psionic Asylum, vÄäristymä, Jeton Hoxha, WILT and Chronodepth.
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With no doubt this album could be the start of a new dark ambient approach inspired by ghostly military places disguised in scratching soundscapes coming from unknown dimensions. These twelve pieces of dark electronic art are the perfect soundtrack to hide in an old atomic shelter and stay until the global virus problem is vanished. Music For Abandoned Cold War Places is also available on CD. Buy or die!


Patsker

dark ambient

Winter-Light

A while ago there was a question thrown into a Dark Ambient group on social media, how to explain dark ambient in one word. Our answer was: enigmatic. The Croatian artist Jurica Santek is the man behind the dark ambient project Nox. Some might be familiar with Jurica Santek's  Aegri Somnia project. He released two albums on the American Cryo Chamber label and has also released a pure dark ambient album Dead Pact on the Kalpamantra label, under the name Efil.

Nox opens his void of darkness with deep roaring drones combined with slices of field recordings. In fact the project enlightened its darkness in the year 2019 as a collection of previously recorded experimental and field sounds. The result is an old school dark ambient album with deep howling soundscapes and fragments of industrial and horror recordings. The moods on Opus Unending are reflecting a journey into the vast and dense swarthiness of deep space. By adding shards of death industrial sounds to the echoing drones feelings of emptiness and desolation are created.

Opus Unending howls like a pack of black wolves and guides the listener into cold forgotten areas where the adoration of murky sound landscapes feels like a home coming. The Winter-Light label could catch (again) another creative dark ambient artist who combines his machines, thoughts, ideas and expressions to a compelling piece of 'supercalifragilisticexpialidocious' sound art. 
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Patsker

ambient / dark folk / cinematic

So, if the first three tracks of a four track EP already remind me of acts like Nick Cave, Penitent, Raison d'ètre, Aphex Twin and Biosphere, I guess it's alright to call this a pretty damn varied release. And then comes 'Synchronism', a goosebumps inducing dark pop anthem with vocals by Raya. In all, '...Unfolds' indicates a more than welcome return for a highly exciting ambient project. Recommended? Dûh!

alternative rock / punk / grunge

thrash metal

dark ambient / drone

Signora Ward Records

drone / ambient / soundtrack

drone / ambient

bandcamp

industrial / dark ambient / noise

HGM Music

drone / dark ambient

dark ambient

Mortar Devotions is a collaboration between the two members, Manuele Frau and Nicholas Pucciarelli, of the experimental ambient project Nona Et Decima and Aleksei Tsernjavski alias Огни. Operazione Piovra: The Lead Chronicles is inspired by one of the darkest pages of Italian history. The five tracks are a soundtrack reflecting  the period of social and political turmoil (the war between the mafia and the Italian government) that lasted from the late 1960s until the late 1980s. These times were also known as the years of lead.

The Helsinki based trio uses a cinematic approach in their compositions. We can’t deny that a somehow claustrophobic 70s feeling is created in the music. The ambient sounds are darkened with noisy and industrial inputs conceiving a weird, dirty and old-fashioned atmosphere. Although the music on this recording is about a very dark period, the sounds are less dark and sometimes tripping, compared to the inspiring era. 

With the varied tensions and the use of electronic effects  Mortar Devotions sounds more experimental than dark (ambient). They hold on to the mysterious ambiance creating a strange elaborating deep listening trip. Highlight of the album is Part IV where post rock and electronica fuse into a spooky riddle of sonic vibes.  

The more subdued sound of Mortar Devotions has a welcome escaping effect still holding on to the darker sides of the spectrum.  This is Dark(er) Ambient eased with experimental inputs, percussion and industrial fragments. Operazione Piovra: The Lead Chronicles is a slow but absorbing cinematic work that keeps the listener focused.

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Patsker

dark ambient

The collective Nam-Khar consist of several artists from all over Europe and has been releasing work on regular base the last decade. Sur Chöd is the second release of Nam-Khar on The Dutch quality label Winter-Light. When you look at the names of the artists who cooperated on this release, you can’t have any doubt about the artistic competency of this album.

With deep rituality the collective’s leader Konchog Gyaltsen spreads the inertia of the subconscious awareness. The slow ritual tracks breath out death, depression, desolation and other underworld emotions hidden behind the human masquerade. Mystical drones and minimal soundscapes are guided by percussive instruments, evoking transformative views and feelings. The moods on Sur Chöd exhale transgressions of the daily life and it’s emotions.

Sur Chöd is not an easy piece, the music and atmosphere transcend the thinking brain. This is a profound sound art work that prompts the mind and body to search for the deeper meaning of everything in life. The repetitive percussion combined with the dark electronic vibes gives a transcending feeling of peaceful tranquility. But darkness lurks around every sound Nam-Khar produces, imprisoning the listener into an extraterrestrial temple of sounds and thoughts.

On Sur Chöd, Nam-Khar are: Boenke, Gossmann, Gyaltsen, Martinegou, Prochir. The track
T´ew rang is a collaboration with Akoustik Timbre Frekuency. Robin Storey (Rapoon) was responsible for the mastering of this deep touching piece of ritual dark ambient. Our favourite on this album is the enigmatic track Gangs chen mdzod Inga. During Covid-19 times Sur Chöd can be your guide to another destination in life, an instrumental mind fucker that opens the gates of the abstruse ritual dark ambient world. 

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Patsker

drone / dark ambient / ritual

Belgian ambient guru Ashtoreth is one of the most prolific acts in today's ritual ambient music. Several people know him as gentle and friendly Peter but his transformation into the mystic entity that is Ashtoreth is quite often mindboggling. One moment you're enjoying a nice conversation and a glass of beer with him, the next moment he grabs you by the soul and transports you to worlds and dimensions unknown. I think that is pretty fascinating. While his solo works are dark ambient gemstones, his collaborations have become unique sonic journeys in which both Ashtoreth and his respective collaborator seem to rise above themselves. 

And that is definitely the case on 'Throne of Astrŏarchē', his collaboration album with New Zealand`s one-woman ritual ambient/dark folk act for Chthonic worship and meditation Chthonia. These four tracks do not restrict themselves to the borders of this planet, not even the reality we think we live in. Opener 'Asir' mainly drives on ritual vocal performances, creating a dark and eerie atmosphere. Throat singing, whispering, chanting; all purely human voices creating something which is not earthbound, that is a stunning accomplishment if you ask me.

But then comes 'Nehalennia', the longest and most narrative piece of music on the album. This is a sonic journey second to none. It's nearly impossible to properly describe this dark ambient anthem without travelling to places unknown. Deep, pulsating drones support Chthonia's ritual voice in one of the most captivating ways I've ever heard. You can feel this music pierce your consciousness, face your demons and battle your ego. Meditation music for the dark minded, that would be a perfect line to describe it.

You know, I'm not going to write much about the other two tracks. I think those paragraphs would just become a repetition of the things I already mentioned, of words like "Ritual, Out of this world, meditation", along with a number of "brilliants" and "perfects". If you need a solid dark ambient album you can either grab a Lustmord CD or this epic masterpiece. Heck, I've heard artists rise above themselves before but I've never heard artists lifting the listener above him/herself but that is exactly what happens here. 

'Throne of Astrŏarchē' is a perfect dark ambient/ritual ambient album. Period!


​Serge 

dark ambient

Last year Alessio Antoni surprised us with his awesome dark ambient debut The Substance of Perception (Cyclic Law). Less than twelve months later he is back with another pitch black dark ambient attack. Inspired by ten paintings NERATERRÆ conveys the reflected emotions of the artworks into murky drone landscapes. Each track (like on the debut album) got also a musical contribution from an artist from the scene.

The first track, The Last Abjurer (feat. Phelios) is inspired by Zdzislaw Beksinski’s AA72 and blows us immediately into a dark mysterious world filled with deep spooky drones. This breath taking piece opens the surrealistic dark ambient world of NERATERRÆ’s Scenes From The Sublime. Alessio Antoni chases with this album the symbolism of paintings by Dali, Bosch, Beksinski and many more artists. He succeeds by far to capture the beauty of darkness and the enigmatic content of the painters works. 

Scenes From The Sublime shows a  spooky and dystopian world created with arcane soundscapes and effects pushing the dark ambient genre further into dour and oneiric atmospheres. The contributions and ideas by Alphaxone, Dödsmaskin, Leila Abdul-Rauf, Mount Shrine, Phelios, Phragments, Shrine, Xerxes The Dark and the ritual vocals of George Zafiriadis from Martyria and Yann Hagimont from Cober Ord bulldoze this album up to a possible classic dark ambient album. 

Drenched in the sweat of dazzling artworks, this unearthly music projects a vantablack atmosphere. Scenes From The Sublime is a dark ambient masterpiece where a beam of light has no chance of survival. Without being flippant, this is a symbolic album of the genre.

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Patsker

dark ambient

The haunting sounds of ∆ø∆ (DØD) have a long history. Attila Iváncsik is the Hungarian bedroom artist behind ∆ø∆. He started to create dark clinical sounds under the name Prosektor in 2009 with some very interesting CDr and digital releases (Mental Illness and Mors Omnia Solvit). Parallel with ∆ø∆ the Budapest based artist puts his creativity in Twilight Of Emptiness, an on nature inspired ambient project with a full upcoming release  in 2020.

We have been following  Attila Iváncsik from the beginning of his musical career. With the four track EP Lost Souls Of The River he amazes us with spooky dark ambient structures. The tracks contain deep dark vibes spawn from eerie drones and soundscapes. ∆ø∆ produces dark cavernous tunes with a ritual edge. The music has depth and traps the listener in a cinematic atmosphere where doom and death are near. With a concept story about the beast, Lost Souls Of The River can be interpreted in many ways.

The threatening grim drones growl like a pack of sleeping wolves and are drenched in mysterious sounds. We are overwhelmed by the irresistible darkness this release withholds. ∆ø∆ finished Lost Souls Of The River in detail, adding samples and macabre effects to strengthen the obscurity on this awesome dark ambient release. ∆ø∆ already announced that the sequel Allegory Of Death is soon to be released. We are ready for some more dark sounds from Hungary. Lost Souls Of The River is available on digital format and limited edition tape on the artist’s Bandcamp page. 

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Patsker

dark ambient

The third release of  Jinthra captured the personal mythopoetic  background of this dark/ritual ambient artist. Jinthra is the solo project of Jindřich Spilka who is also active with other underground names like Druhá Smrt and A Most Accursed. During the darkest days of winter, between Samhain 2019 and Imbolc 2020 (a pagan cleansing feast during the first two days of February), Jindřich Spilka performed his sound  manifestation and recorded his solemn ceremony titled Wotanist Affair.

The four growling tracks are based on a wall of distorted and slow guitars spreading a ritual swarthiness filled with a deep cohesion of thoughts. Mythical voices and screams awaken an energetic wave of darkness from the unconscious of the artist. The soundscapes add an eerie tinge to the result of the revealed constructions. Jindra’s DIY rite feels like a transforming communication between several dimensions of the inner self. 

Track titles like Garma (warmth in Hindi), Notschrei (cry for help in German), Odinvokation and Ragnarok were chosen to introduce the meaning of the deep sounding and flesh cutting atmosphere. Jindřich Spilka lives in the shade of the vast Czech forests, not only receiving its inspiration but also perspires the call of nature with the ideas of Friedrich Nietzsche, Guido von List and Peryt Shou.

Wotanist Affair provokes as a deep listening session but the moment you start to understand the communication and the hidden emotions, your thoughts will be chopped into pieces and prepared for a new afflatus. Don’t say we didn’t warn you for this mind blowing sound art.

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Patsker