Metal and Dark Ambient Webzine: Interviews, reviews, artist conversations, and podcasts
VOICES FROM CORNERS UNKNOWN, EP. 8 (HIEMIS, FROM HARBOUR, MICROCOSMYS, LA TORTURE DES TÉNÈBRES)
In episode eight we discuss the engulfing and monolithic drones on Nachtstücke from dark ambient artist HIEMIS, the melodic tides of From Harbour’s crushing hardcore debut Fatigue, and the atmospheric yet utterly chaotic split between microcosmys and La Torture Des Ténèbres titled THE GODS THEMSELVES.
We dedicate this episode to Caleb Scofield, vocalist and bassist of Cave In, Zozobra, and Old Gloom, who tragically passed away a couple of weeks ago. May he rest in forever lasting peace.
Thank you so much for listening and your continued support. Let us know what you think about each of these releases below and please feel free to leave us some album suggestions for future episodes
Contemplatron, Shentz – His Master’s Voice In memory of Stanislaw Lem 1921-2006 Label: Wrotycz Records – WRT 025 Format: CD, Album Country: Poland Released: 2016 Style: Ambient
‘APOCRYPHICAL SOUNDTRACK FOR THE BOOK OF ST. LEM’ – This dark ambient album is based on ‘His Master’s Voice’ (or ‘Glos Pana’ in Polish), a science fiction novel written by Stanislaw Lem, first published in 1968. It is a densely philosophical story about an effort by scientists to decode, translate and understand an extraterrestrial transmission. The novel critically approaches humanity’s intelligence and intentions in deciphering and truly comprehending a message from outer space.
His Master’s Voice (original Polish title: Glos Pana) is a science fiction novel written by Stanislaw Lem, first published in 1968. It is a densely phliosophical first contact story about an effort by scientists to decode, translate and understand an extraterrestrial transmission. The novel critically approaches humanity’s intelligence and intentions in deciphering and truly comprehending a message from outer space.
Human beings should accept some humility. Sometimes we face phenomena the essence of which we are unable to understand. Even if we are equipped with the most modern scientific apparatus and knowledge we are incapable of resolving whether they are accidental or intentional. Newton once said that with respect to nature we are just children playing with shells on the seashore.
Label: Shadowplay Release – SPR 114, Zhelezobeton – ZHB-XXIX, Monopoly Records – none Format: CD, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue Country: Russia Released: 30 Oct 2010 Style: Downtempo, Experimental, Ambient
Cyclotimia’s album “Celestis: Space Ceremonial Music” is inspired by the activity of a well-known American aerospace company Space Services Inc. which among other things specializes in sending human ashes into space (via their subsidiary Celestis Inc.). Moreover, the compact discs with this music have prowled the outer space twice while being on board rockets launched from the spaceport America in New Mexico. This happened for the first time in April 2007 (“Legacy” project), and for the second time in May 2010 (“Pioneer Flight” project). Cyclotimia’s music obtained the status of the official soundtrack to both events.
“Celestis” definitely stands out in the discography of this project, known mainly for its post-industrial and avant-garde recordings. It would be no exaggeration to say that this is their most accessible work (in a good sense) correlating with the best examples of such acclaimed masters of the “space genre” as Jean-Michel Jarre or Klaus Schulze. At the same time the music on “Celestis” is in no way secondary, it is modern and quite craftily made.
From the opening theme “Capsula” the album’s atmosphere plunges the listener into a world of spiritual experience, calls to take an imaginary space travel; fly towards Space along with the remains held in capsulas… It’s worth mentioning that the CD comes with a 12-page booklet narrating about the activities of the company. This release differs from the first edition (2007) as it contains an additional exclusive track “Another Time Another Place” – a 15-minute “space suite” recorded by the project in 2009.
