New Reviews 3/27/2010 @ AZM
Visions- Summoning the Void-CD (Cyclic Law)So the owner of Cyclic Law has created another dark, noisy journey under the name Visions again and you know what . Its really good and well worth many listens many times label owners just release there on material as a vanity on there label . Well with Visions this is one of the labels best projects. Summoning the void to my ears is the most layered and expansive of all the visions titles and the most noisy to date. It verges on harsh noise at times but always comes back in to the more Dark Industrial feel I have come to know and love with this project. Visions is bombastic as it is industrial as it is orchestral and with each release gets stronger in what it creates.
http://cycliclaw.com/
TAPHEPHOBIA - Black city skyline-CDR (Reverse Alignment)
Do you remember when Dark Ambient music gave you chills and hope all at the same time? Welcome to the world of TAPHEPHOBIA. This is straight from the world of Robert Rich, Raison D Etre, Sephiroth etc... The dream like state the sounds drift and lull you into are almost hypnotic is style. The vocals are very much on releases Ive heard from Hypnos or Cold Spring Ambient releases... There was an amazing label call Amphos from Italy I think that has stellar releases of this caliber as well. The mastery of synth and string work are just so strong here it a damn shame its just a CDR release. This should be a much wider available title. At times this reminds me of the more subdued moments of Devil Doll . TAPHEPHOBIA is a jaw dropping Dark Ambient project that any fan of the genre should without fail check out. Fantastic!!!
http://www.myspace.com/reversealignment
Bring Me The Head Of Orion - Courting Leviathan-CDR (Black Drone)
So are you a fan of the Drone Doom scene if so this will be brilliant to you if not this may be mind numbing terror. If you like bands like Black Mayonnaise, Sunn O)), Earth and Phobos then run to find this. The guitars and bass crawl out of the speakers with a pain and torment not heard by many projects. There is a melody going on here as well that is almost relaxing and then the harsh guitar tones come in from time to time to remind you that this is not going to be a happy journey. I really respect projects like this as this is much more a close your eyes and let the sounds take you to another realm music. As there is no vocals or percussion going on its is all sonic tones in the lower spectrum that take you there and lets face it 2- 20 + min tracks just simply kick ass in this format!
Mister Vapor - Light And Vapor-CDR (Black Drone)
So here is another release from the Black drone label this time its an Ambient Drone release something that is experimental and drifting all at the same time. Where is almost becomes a noise release but will never cross the time . This is very much for Arecibo and Schloss Tegal Fans. With Mister Vapor the madness level becomes high with the oscillating tones and just oddity to it all. This is experimental music to the highest of orders. Though I will say the water sounds are a bit out of place as a whole I do get what they are trying to do with them. Thomas Park is better know for his Mystified project I would assume. This also has a very Dense Vision Shrine vibe going on Karsten I think you have influenced someone greatly here.
CrepusculaR - Deep Slow Majesty-CDR- (Black Drone)
Holy shit is this a creepy sounding release CrepuscalaR to me has that total MZ412/Valefor/ Endura Occult Dark Ambient sound going on. They are trying to awaken something or someone that clearly needs to be left alone. CrepusulaR will give you nightmares if you not use to listening to this style of Black Ambient release. They have a lot in common with Kervonian on Cold Spring as well. Material like this is made for the old pagan world and is not here for modern needs. If you pray to the darker more aggressive Gods of old then this can be you ritual music for sure. There is an underlying layer of despair going on here. Black Drone have one of the best releases I've ever heard in this sub genre hands down. CrepusculaR is a must own...
Haken - Aquarius-CD (Sensory Records)
Haken are more then words can mention they are Symphonic, prog, metal, avant and blues all at the same time. They remind a lot of a mix of The Gathering, Ayreon, Ulver , Polka Dot Cadaver and Kayo Dot ... There is so much going on here is just hard to begin. The Prog and Symphonic elements really are the key components to Haken the vocals and strings are just simply amazing with the lush guitars and warm full bass and percussion explosions . There are times they have TSO or Savatage or Circle to Circle sounds going on as well. There is a Mike Patton love going here at times as well. If you want to you the Post Metal banner this band is 100% in that style mixed with many many more. Sensory Records always get these brilliant projects I just think its time for a band like this to break out to the mainstream more and Haken could very well be the one. I feel a Sci Fi soundtrack in the making for this band... Then they go to the next track and swear they sound like Styx or Kansas ..... Haken you have just blown my mind musically its that plain and simple...http://www.lasercd.com/
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