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Many people have an almost unconditional trust in certain labels. I remember the time when Cold Meat Industry stood for a certain quality, just like Denovali Records does today. To me, Sombre Soniks is one of those labels as well. I've heard many of their releases in the past few years and they've never disappointed me. Second, Druhá Smrt never disappoints either. I know this act from compilations where both our projects were represented. So yes, I was really looking forward to hearing this album.
Druhá Smrt is a project from the Czech Republic, fouded by Jindřich Spilka and Lucie Spilková. During the past years they have been active in the dark ambient underground. They have been a part of a huge number of compilations and released several albums. This latest album, Occurrentium, contains four pieces with a very surprising timespan. The first three tracks last 7.40 (each) and the last one 8.00. However, it's not really important how long the songs last.
My expectations were correct. These are indeed four high quality dark ambient tracks, driving on lengthy soundscapes and drones, often accompanied by church bells and other subdued percussion. These are dark paths, like a walk through an abandoned graveyard on a stormy night. The overall atmosphere is grim and foggy and loaded with otherworldly sounds. Somewhere, hidden in deep layers of drones, there's a hint of some rhythm, which makes the whole even more impressive than it already is.
I cannot pinpoint a favourite track on this album, probably because it's the whole concept that
strikes me the most. The tracks fit perfectly together, breathing similar emotions. In some ambient albums the songs differ too much, making them sound like a compilation. Occurrentium does the exact opposite. It is a concept, sounding like it was recorded in one session, or 'ritual'. This results in something mystical and magical, and above all, beautiful.
I wouldn't be surprised if Sombre Soniks becomes a major player in today's dark ambient scene with Druhá Smrt being one of their main acts. This is a high-quality album that easily reaches the same level as many old CMI acts and even some Denovali projects. Every single dark ambient fan should have stuff like this in his collection, period.
Serge
Druhá Smrt is a project from the Czech Republic, fouded by Jindřich Spilka and Lucie Spilková. During the past years they have been active in the dark ambient underground. They have been a part of a huge number of compilations and released several albums. This latest album, Occurrentium, contains four pieces with a very surprising timespan. The first three tracks last 7.40 (each) and the last one 8.00. However, it's not really important how long the songs last.
My expectations were correct. These are indeed four high quality dark ambient tracks, driving on lengthy soundscapes and drones, often accompanied by church bells and other subdued percussion. These are dark paths, like a walk through an abandoned graveyard on a stormy night. The overall atmosphere is grim and foggy and loaded with otherworldly sounds. Somewhere, hidden in deep layers of drones, there's a hint of some rhythm, which makes the whole even more impressive than it already is.
I cannot pinpoint a favourite track on this album, probably because it's the whole concept that
strikes me the most. The tracks fit perfectly together, breathing similar emotions. In some ambient albums the songs differ too much, making them sound like a compilation. Occurrentium does the exact opposite. It is a concept, sounding like it was recorded in one session, or 'ritual'. This results in something mystical and magical, and above all, beautiful.
I wouldn't be surprised if Sombre Soniks becomes a major player in today's dark ambient scene with Druhá Smrt being one of their main acts. This is a high-quality album that easily reaches the same level as many old CMI acts and even some Denovali projects. Every single dark ambient fan should have stuff like this in his collection, period.
Serge
