Three obscure acts on one split cd. Coming from The Rectrix, this will probably mean darkest ambient or industrial. First we are treated to three tracks by Hollowing. ‘Call to Arms: Xowardice’ has a martial feel, with threatening percussion and militant vocal samples. The song starts rather bare and minimal, which is effective as an introduction. Towards the end of the song it gets a bit stranger and more chaotic and nosiy. The next track is a 12-minute tranquil soundscape, with rumbling machinery and guitar sounds in the background. After a few minutes some brooding horn sounds are introduces, followed by some noisy rhythmic blasts. Halfway it really gets loud and aggressive. Towards the end the songs slows down a little, and even incorporates some piano sounds. Strange machines keep on doing their job in the background. ‘Convergence upon the Biopsychic’ starts with some triumphant straightforward drumming. Soon shrill noises and filthy voices are added to the mix, as well as some gritty, experimental passages. A strange, short composition.
Aere Aeternus offer us 4 tracks, filled with neo-classical ambience. Nice cinematic atmospheres on ‘Of suicide, pain and old age’, a track that is classical in nature, but which has some not so accessible industrial elements and some slightly bombastic drums. ‘Uselees, the obsolete view’ is a very dark piece of ambient, ulta low to make your speakers rumble. I am more fond of ‘I should have missed my birth’, which features some subtle acoustic guitar work and some nice atmospheric soundscape elements. Their last contribution is a long, rather experimental ambient track, with somewhat scary high tones in it. As the composition progresses it gains in volume and fullness, with some interesting layers of sound.
Last but not least is Metanemfrost, aproject of Adhab Al-Farhan, born in the Philippines, and also active in a few other (metal) projects). ‘Chtonian’ starts with a dark orchestral intro, think of Puissance. But then the music shifts to a spacious, atmospheric sound, filled with slow and repetive, powerful beats. Very nice track. ‘Black Flames’ of Phlegethon’ is more noisy and dense, but with a lovely classical outro. ‘Empire Ablaze’ nicely builds up the tension, with subtle changing rhythms and electronic sounds. ‘Ancient Blood Scriptures’ is a ritual soundscape, which takes you to obscure ceremonies, performed in deep hidden cellars. Finally ‘The Black Vortex’ reminds more of classic power electronics, with very low, distorted beats.
All in all a nice encounter with three projects I wasn’t ware of yet. This cd covers a variety of dark electronic styles, with a few songs that could not really hold my attention, but also some memorable tracks.
