dark ambient
Instead of compiling another Sunday Evening Sessions, I spent my evening listening to the Unexplained Sounds radio transmission. I can't say I regret that decision. It's a good show with some dark and atmospheric music, plus it's got a chatroom with a bunch of nice people.
One of the acts played on the show was Urs Wild, an electronic music project from Switzerland. My brain immediately linked me back to earlier today when I downloaded the album for a near-future review. It had been sent to me by Raffaele Pezzella, the man behind the earlier mentioned radio show.
So after the radio transmission, I immediately decided to start writing this review, regardless of the circumstances (a friend visiting, attention seeking cat, that kind of stuff). Why? Well, because this is a remarkable dark ambient album where drones, electronic sequences, soundscapes and deep percussion create an organic and psychedelic atmosphere, despite of being mostly electronic. Being an electronic music composer ànd a music reviewer, I can confirm the fact that an organic sound with electronic equipment is not an easy task to accomplish. But Urs Wild did exactly that.
What I like most about this album is it's alternation between droning dark ambient and cold industrial sounds. Perhaps this is what happens when you put Lustmord, IIVII and Ah Cama Sotz together in a studio. I'm also quite fond of the repetitive nature of some of these tracks. 'Ritualized' is a brilliant piece of work and 'Hidden Matter' is an magnificent psychedelic trip. Then again, most of the track are. I mean, 'Sea of Unnatural Presence' drives on one of the best drones I've ever heard, and I've heard a lot of drones.
Many dark ambient albums, especially debuts, are promising but rather one-sided. As a big fan of the genre, that often bothers me. 'Hidden Universe' is the exact opposite. It's a deep, immersive album with plenty of variation. There is not a dull moment to be found. Each track has its own identity and still the whole album has a great conceptual feel. So yes, I'm a fan and I will recommend this album to every fan of dark ambient music. It's going to be hard to find something better than this, I'm afraid.
Serge
One of the acts played on the show was Urs Wild, an electronic music project from Switzerland. My brain immediately linked me back to earlier today when I downloaded the album for a near-future review. It had been sent to me by Raffaele Pezzella, the man behind the earlier mentioned radio show.
So after the radio transmission, I immediately decided to start writing this review, regardless of the circumstances (a friend visiting, attention seeking cat, that kind of stuff). Why? Well, because this is a remarkable dark ambient album where drones, electronic sequences, soundscapes and deep percussion create an organic and psychedelic atmosphere, despite of being mostly electronic. Being an electronic music composer ànd a music reviewer, I can confirm the fact that an organic sound with electronic equipment is not an easy task to accomplish. But Urs Wild did exactly that.
What I like most about this album is it's alternation between droning dark ambient and cold industrial sounds. Perhaps this is what happens when you put Lustmord, IIVII and Ah Cama Sotz together in a studio. I'm also quite fond of the repetitive nature of some of these tracks. 'Ritualized' is a brilliant piece of work and 'Hidden Matter' is an magnificent psychedelic trip. Then again, most of the track are. I mean, 'Sea of Unnatural Presence' drives on one of the best drones I've ever heard, and I've heard a lot of drones.
Many dark ambient albums, especially debuts, are promising but rather one-sided. As a big fan of the genre, that often bothers me. 'Hidden Universe' is the exact opposite. It's a deep, immersive album with plenty of variation. There is not a dull moment to be found. Each track has its own identity and still the whole album has a great conceptual feel. So yes, I'm a fan and I will recommend this album to every fan of dark ambient music. It's going to be hard to find something better than this, I'm afraid.
Serge
