Not long after a record on Athanor, Dawn & Dusk Entwined comes with a new 10″, this time on Eternal Soul. It contains half an hour of mostly tranquil soundscapes, which sound less martial and melodic than most previous releases. “The Hikimori Songs” is more in line with the “Scherzo” 7″, also released on Eternal Soul. As far as the title is concerned, I assume it relates to the hikimori, a fast growing group of young people in Japan who withdraw from social life and lock themselves in their bedrooms.
The record starts with an oppressive piece of dark ambient, with (speech) samples in the background, resembling an ominous soundscape of a post war battlefield. After a few minutes delicate piano sounds take over, adding a melancholic touch to the music. The deep voice of David Sabre, D&DE’s sole member, really works hypnotizing. The darkness falls in during ‘The middle children of history’, dedicated to Graeme Revell (SPK), with a solemn, classical ending with speech samples.
Side B starts dramatic with the sacred choirs of ‘Gloria Mundi’ (in honour of John Carpenter), followed by more minimal piano sounds. I really like this solemn, introspective mood. The record ends with a cold soundscape, with wind blowing though a desolate landscape, with an apocalyptic speech as the finishing touch.
A highly atmospheric record, which asks for a visual translation to accompany these sounds.