dark jazz

Obscure Japanese movies can be very inspiring for musicians who love to create doomy atmospheres. Senketsu No Night Club was formed by Giovanni Leo Leonardi (guitars, bass, synths and electronics), Adriano Vincenti  (samplers & drones) and Ian Ferguson (saxophone). Ejiki is the third album of this Italian band. With the support of the Englishman Ian Ferguson, the band could bring their artistic expressions filled with passion and inspired by the ideas of Adriano Vincenti  to a higher level.

Ejiki contains ten constructions that guide you into a world of slow and bizarre ambiance. This soundtrack has a triggering film noir content. The darkened jazz vibes create visions of abandon residential areas, mysterious men lightning their cigarettes on half-lit street corners and stray cats wandering through sad creepy rows of houses. The images and concept of this intriguing album were done by the Japanese artist and film maker 不埒ライフ Furachi-life Fan. She also delivered one of the poems on band's debut album.

Senketsu No Night Club uses influences of trip hop, kraut rock to colour the lury moods. The Belgian guest player Izzy Op de Beeck (Detour Doom Project)shows his talents with soft but haunting adds of his flugelhorn and trumpet virtuosity. Electronic tunes are layered in the tracks and only show up after several deep listening trips. The album is detailed with gloomy precision while the sax dominates the slow dark romantic proclivity.

This is a quality dark jazz recording referring to Bohren & Der Club Of Gore, The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble and the Dale Cooper Quartet & the Dictaphones. Senketsu No Night Club released a doom ridden jazz trip (limited to 300 copies in a digipak) that will elicit grim moods any season or time of the year. We are hooked by the nihilistic sadness Ejiki generates.

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Patsker

dark jazz

Electronica can be, sorry, but a pain in the ass. Repetitive as hell, stubborn in its atonal sound landscape, squeaky and high-pitched to the max. All of this applies to the worst kind of electronica, the stuff you will find in the mainstream charts, the EDM of the Tens and now Twenties.

But there is also the other side of electronic music, the one where you can feel that there are real musicians behind it, who used their knobs and buttons like a normal instrument and who are able to transport something via their arrangements.


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For quite some time now, Italian electronic artist Adriano Vincenti has been publishing music under the moniker Macelleria Mobile bi Mezzanotte. The name of the project means something like “Mobile Butcher’s shop at Midnight” - keep that in mind, we will come back to it in a moment. Since 2013, with the release of their album “Black Lake Confidence”, the band has introduced a more drone orientated kind of Doom-Jazz – also due to the final addition of Saxophone player Pierluigi Ferro; while Vincenti before published some kind of harsh noise electronica, the band is now compared to acts like Zu, Dale Cooper Quartet or Bohren und der Club of Gore – and interestingly, these comparisons are not far-fetched or too high for the quartet from Rome. 

The band has a particular soft spot for everything related to Film Noir and Hard Boiled detective literature, which is obvious when you look at the covers – this one features a cut-up picture of a classic pin-up girl with the whole colors being changed into different shades of red; actually this might be one of the nicest covers I have seen in the last few months. Song titles like “Devotion”, “Death was last to enter the Nightclub” or “Neon Lights Say you will Die Tonight” are quite explicit in their meaning. 

To give you an idea of the band’s sound (made up of synths, drones, saxophone and drum computers) you should listen to the title track “Noir Jazz Femdom” - a classical triphop beat is accompanied by harsh synths and drone sounds and the saxophone gives it some kind of erotic undertone which completely fits the lyrics about sex and violence. Imagine a spawn between Zu and Portishead but not with a soothing Beth Gibbons but rather with a disturbing, hushed version of Mike Patton. It sounds like a poppy description to a crime scene where the detectives find a slaughtered body that obviously had sex just before the massacre kicked in. 

This album is one of the late highlights in great (dark) electronica and something every lover of dark jazz should embrace. Welcome to the butcher’s shop!


Thorsten

Winter-Light is a Dutch label specialized in ambient, experimental and drone soundscapes. During the year 2019 the label released a number of high quality productions like Rapoon, Sysselmann, NIMH and Abbildung. We took with pleasure the time to listen further and deeper in their beautiful catalogue of 2019.

drone / dark ambient

Trances is the sequel to the album Zwischenwelten of the German drone artist Seetyca. The album was conceived and recorded during several summers. No warm seasonal tunes appeared, on the contrary, deep and dark signals of winter spheres are introduced on this mysterious album. The drones and soundscapes shiver like sharp ice rain slicing away the last pieces of the so hopeful winter light. Trances is a hypnotic piece of work with a lot of hidden layers like piano sounds, distorted humming and floating soundscapes, proving that Seetyca is a sound wizard like no other.  We were very pleased with the mental climate change this album induced. Trances is a detailed beauty on ice.

dark ambient

With chiming bells on a bed of dark drones presented on the first track, Rngmnn introduces his new work. RNGMNN aka Ronny Engmann from Germany, previously released albums on Noctivagant and Reverse Alignment, as well as a collaborative release on Cryo Chamber with Dronny Darko. Arctic Interference contains eight tracks with polar ambiance ranging from drifting pieces to tight, rhythmic and dark pulsating soundscapes. The industrial moods lurk behind the corner of this sharp edged electronic release. The tracks were recorded in the month of December, over a period of five years. RNGMNN uses field recordings, elements of percussion, samples and darkened electronic paths creating a desolated world where the only orientation point is the silence behind the ocean of sound structures RNGMNN produced. An awesome album for the darker parts of life.

ambient

The music of Kloob beholds profundity. Barcelona based Dani Kloob focuses his creativity in deep ambient music since 2010. Unpredictable Signs is a fascinating descent into a maze of cryptic caves. The ambient soundscapes howl like eroding winds against the damp walls. Kloob uses all kinds of manipulated voices and field recordings to detail his compositions. Perplexing sound structures amplify the feeling of never coming back to the surface. This recording feels like entering a bottomless chasm without beginning or end. Kloob created an irresistible mesmerizing world filled with soft drones and refined electronic tunes. We are obligated to say that this ravishing album is very addictive.

ambient / experimental

Atomine Elektrine is a project of Peter Andersson, the artist behind the Swedish dark ambient project raison d’être. Inspired by the discovery of a mysterious analogue computer, Peter Andersson  bundles his experiences as a sound creator in a new project. The enormous variety in approach and experiment with electronic based sounds makes this album not that easy to absorb. The Antikythera Mechanism sounds like cosmic clock, not only questioning time with creative squeaking and ticking of sprockets, but also using soundscapes, exploratory accents, glitch and sequencing. The result is a unique multidimensional melting of enigmatic sounds with a slight dark and edgy punk attitude. The Antikythera Mechanism is also available on vinyl and CD.  


​Patsker

dark jazz / free jazz

I have an odd relationship with jazz. Since I discovered the darker version of the genre, with bands like Bohren Und Der Club Of Gore or Dale Cooper Quartet and the Dictaphones, I'm gradually growing into it. Today, I have a rather large folder with jazz releases on my hard disc, many of which often rush through my speakers.

However, there is a very thin line between adoration and distaste. When the jazz roams too free, it makes me nervous and uncomfortable. I'm definitely not a fan of extreme experimental solos, that's for sure. So when I select a jazz album to review I constantly worry about that thin line.

And then this album came in. According to the biography Der Finger create a blend between avantrock-noise, free/dark jazz and psychedelic improvisation. "Auwtch," I thought, "this is going to be a tough one. Luckily for me, Russian trio Der Finger deals more into the dark than into the free jazz. How dark? Well, the five tracks are based on the "Illuminati Calendar", appearing in Robert Anton Wilson novels and represent the eternal cycles of development to chaos and rebirth. And there is plenty of chaos to be found here, but highly enjoyable chaos.

While listening to these tracks, an eclectic parade of artists rushed through my head. Of course, there is the old fashioned jazz of Davis or Coltrane but also the earlier mentioned dark jazz acts. Then there is the often repetitive groove of Deutsch Nepal and the in-your-face heaviness of Dead Neanderthals. The list goes on an on, even Melvins come mind here and there. But eventually, all of that tumbles down into chaotic black holes of free jazz, while that thin edge between adoration and distaste slowly fades away.

In all, this is an adventurous and experimental jazz album, one that challenges the listener. I don't really know who to recommend it too. Jazz fans, obviously, but perhaps also people who are into sludge metal and noise rock. Anyhow, it's probably best to play it loud and let these five seasons overwhelm you. Try it out, you might discover a brand new favorite.


Serge

dark jazz / experimental

Radare is back!!! And how!!! The four shy Germans deliver the next stunning phase in their continuous musical evolution. What began with heavy riffing and post metal elements, back in 2010, steadily grew into an enigmatic four piece which co-defined the dark jazz genre. 'Im Argren', released in 2015, placed Radare on a high shelf, along with Bohren and Dale Cooper. Their somewhat hesitant but beautiful and intimate gig at Dunk! Festival convinced many of their capabilities and 'Der Endless Dream' nails the next landmark in one of the most enigmatic genres in the history of music. Radare is back!!! The world is a better place now.

The album opens with 'Loup De Mer', a mid tempo tune that carefully opens the door to the new and improved Radare. The restraint modesty of the band has made place for a firm belief in their own musicianship, resulting in highly narrative and varied music. In a way, Radare has become the post rock band in the dark jazz scene, which in my opinion is a pretty neat thing. These are not merely Twin Peaks inspired tunes. These are pieces of music that Ennio Morricone himself would purchase in a record store. Yes, jazz, western music, post rock, krautrock, it's all here and it's pretty damn fascinating. 

I am incredibly impressed by this album. I discovered them back at Incubate several years ago. They were youngsters with a vision and with enjoyable music. Now they have grown up, they have listened to Godspeed! You Black Emperor and set their own standard to that very level. And would you believe it, they quite often reach that standard. 'Eternal Love' is a mind boggling piece of music and the short title track brings tears to my eyes. If it's possible to fall in love with a record... You get the idea.

'Der Endless Dream' is the result of years of meticulous songwriting but also one where Radare dares to experiment, cross borders and explore niches. 'Room' is indeed the jazz version of a glacial post rock track, slowly meandering and evolving. I never thought I was going to say this, but this album is even better than 'Im Argren'. Radare, I hope you are ready to say goodbye to the forest stage and hello to the mainstream media. This album is award winning material, brought to you by one of the most talented and hardworking bands on the planet.


​Serge

dark jazz / post rock / doom

I don't really know how to start this review. I want to write about the short appearance of A-Sun Amissa in my book, 'Cecilia's World' (---->) but I also want to write about that breathtaking concert at Trix that inspired that particular passage. I want to write about how I immediately became a huge A-Sun Amissa fan and about how they expanded the entire dark jazz scene.

But I think the safest way to do this is to dig deep into this brand new album and see how this project by Richard Knox (Shield Patterns, Glissando, founder of Gizeh Records) has evolved in the past few years. 

'Ceremony in the Stillness', to be released September 14th, contains six tracks, all slow and compelling. On this follow-up to the highly acclaimed 'The Gatherer' A-Sun Amissa seems to dig deeper that ever before. The jazz elements faded to the background, making place for post rock and doom metal. On several of these tracks, including the immersive opener 'The Black Path', Knox twists the distortion knob a bit more.

Now, I can say a lot of things about this album, but there is one thing in my mind throughout the entire duration: a front seat at the forest stage of Dunk! festival. Now more than ever I see this band being a massive highlight on this Flemish post rock event, and all other related festivals around the world. With emotional rollercoasters like 'To The Ashes' or closer 'Remembrancer' , A-Sun Amissa will undoubtedly enchant audiences far and wide.

I guess it's not a surprise that bands like Mono, Stars Of The Lid and A Swarm Of The Sun come to mind more often than the Bohren or Dale Coopers of this world, which was the case on 'The Gatherer'. Lingering guitars and steady drum rhythms now make up most of the music, but the gloomy, intrinsic atmosphere remains a constant. Just listen to the fascinating anthem 'The Skulk' which does beautiful things with ambient, noise and avant garde classical music, often with the help of Jo Quail and other guests.

'No Perception Of Light' makes me realize that this project didn't really chance. It just continued its evolution towards ever more intriguing slow and murky music. Back then, I thought 'The Gatherer' was a highlight in the so-called "slowism" scene but this new work surpassed that, even though the much beloved jazz elements are now backgrounded. 'Ceremony in the Stillness' is a perfectly balanced album, one I would like to recommend to all fans of slow and dark. 


Serge

post-metal / doom / alternative rock

dark jazz / ambient / experimental / trip hop

hardcore

acoustic blues

dark ambient / noise

doom / occult metal

death metal

black metal / doom / death metal

post punk / synth pop

breakcore / industrial

alternative rock / blues

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style of Tool and quite a bit of grunge - vocals that remind of Cobain included. So go buy this one if you appreciate something that refuses to fit into one box.

ambient / experimental

Pany Rosas Discos

dark jazz

I have just returned from another exquisite edition of Dunk! festival. It was a magical three days, loaded with post rock, doom metal and everything related. It was also quite exhausting, so for the time being I'm not going to get into heavy, fast and pummeling albums. 

Instead, I'll delve into the blissful sounds of dark jazz, courtesy of Ukrainian band The Orchestra Of Mirrored Reflections. Regular Merchants Of Air readers will probably know that this is one of our most followed acts, having appeared here several times in the past few years.

And of course, there is a real good reason for that. These guys are awesome. From day one their dark jazz has enchanted and inspired me. Their music was a constant in my writing sessions for Cecilia's World and it's basically the imaginary soundtrack to my new novel. That novel will be a gritty, harsh and dark thriller, one that can best be read while listening to these gritty and dark jazz sounds. To be a bit more specific, the title track of this album, 'Narrow Escape', has been playing while I wrote the key-scene and if they ever turn this book into a film, I want that song to be the theme song.

However, this album also contains the one Orchestra Of Mirrored Reflections track that I'm not that fond of. In my mind, there seems to be something wrong with opener 'Dissociative Fugue'. I think it's the mixing as the sax feels too loud. Yet, apart from that, I will undoubtedly recommend this album to all fans of Bohren, Dale Cooper, Radare, The Thing With Five Eyes and so on. This is pure dark jazz galore. Besides, the Orchestra easily makes up for that one mixing-misstep. 'Marvelous Journey' is exactly what the title predicts and already one of my favorite dark jazz tunes of the moment.

'Le Printemps arrive dans l'Hémisphère Nord' could as well be a part of Miles Davis' 'Ascenseur pour l'échafaud' soundtrack. It's a short tune but such a nice and atmosphere one. 'Stay Low' allows ambient sounds to take over the jazz atmosphere, making it another brilliant piece of slow and immersive music. Finally, 'Fire Burns Brighter In The Dark' delivers a classic and perfect ambient-jazz hybrid, adding a ritual element to the minimal but effective music. At the end, there is also a neat bonus track, a short jazz jam so it seems.

So yes, apart from that loud sax in the opening tune, this album is a fantastic example of dark jazz. I don't think that there is any more to write about this full-length. If any of the aforementioned bands appear in your day-to-day playlist, you definitely should give this one a shot, and while you're at it, get their previous work too. The Orchestra Of Mirrored Reflections is one of the most interesting dark jazz act on this planet. It's time the planet knows that...


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ambient / drone

industrial / metal / drum & bass

classical

metal

grindcore / crust

ambient / techno

new wave / alternative rock

black metal

bandcamp

black metal

classical / post rock / jazz

facebook

drone doom

hard rock / metal

black metal / noise

dark jazz

Serge

doom / experimental

Any doom fan knows that Italy is one of the places to be for dark, obscure and occult doom metal. There must something in the water over there because that country keeps on barking brilliant doom albums. So I guess it's no surprise that a band like Messa roams in the same deep waters and comes out with something unique and epic.
The band has been making a name for themselves since their inception in 2014. Their classical and occult doom metal puts them on the same cards as bands like Jex Thoth, Pentagram and Windhand but Messa likes to take things a bit further, right into the regions of jazz, shoegaze and noise. Is that good? Dûh.

The album opens with the usual intro, a two minutes lasting track that drones and noises before 'Snakeskin Drape' breaks loose, first gentle yet impending, then fully embracing the vintage doom metal feel. Personally, I'm already convinced but we're not done yet. Messa still has a lot of goodness to show. 'Leah' for example, which shows you how an antique jazz club would sound if it had today's distortion pedals. I love the jazz escapades on this track and I love how Sara's versatile and soulful voice fits in perfectly. Somehow she belongs on jazz stages, in shoegaze bands and hanging out with dark doomers. I'm happy she picked this band to showcase her talent.

Now, when I mentioned "vintage doom", I obviously also included the psychedelic aspect of that genre. Many of the passages and solos on this album feel like immense and immersive jam sessions, thriving on ancient riff worshiping and the freedom of improvisation. 'The Seer' is a beautiful example of that. But then again, so are pretty much all the other tracks. I'm not going into a track-by-track description here, especially not since you should already get the hint: this is a fantastic album and a perfectly succeeded experiment. There is not a dull moment to be found. This will be a constant in my day-to-day playlist from now on and if you're a fan of high quality and unique music, you might want to get your hands on this.


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