N.Strahl.N / Metek - "Drowning Devices" CDR

This collaboration between a pair of obscure avante sound-artists from Germany (N.Strahl.N, aka W.Loehr) and Sweden (Metek, aka F.Nilsson) is a series of subtle, cinematic, and often dark experimental/industrial-type soundscapes, often minimalistic and sparse yet wholly effective. It seems that most of "Drowning Devices" consists of field recordings with processing and electronic effects, and Loehr and Nilsson utilize these with a strong sense of tension and restraint. "Ambient 8", for example, creeps along like a shadow along a wall, perhaps hinting at a presence unseen. "Komfort" is very much in the realm of ambient-industrial, with the humming of what sounds like big machines in a spooky, long-abandoned warehouse. Perfect for creating your own '"Saw" scenario! Hah! "Eiserne Reserve" is a quiet mix of grinding metal, drones, and cavernous reverberations. Superb work, and a top-notch soundtrack to your paranoid thoughts. (Cohort Records)

N.Strahl.Nspace

Metekspace

Michael Gendreau - "Voutes" CDR

Being a fan of (and corresponding with, briefly) venerable experimental music/cassette-culture staples Crawling With Tarts back in the early 90's, I was delighted to receive this new work by CWT's Michael Gendreau. First, the unique and individually hand-made packaging (hand-painted digipack, rubber stamped) was instantly appealing to my tactile senses. And the music/sound within? It's two extended pieces - both based on field recordings made at Les Voutes in Paris, France in 2004.
The first variation, 'Voutes', is a raw vibration recording of the arch-shaped vaults under the rue Tolbiac in Paris. It's a lonely sort of sound, sort of hollow and spacious, like little spinning ceramic wheels rolling around in a back room, with the discernible rumble of vehicles overhead. Curious and slightly mysterious in it's abstraction, this piece is somehow relaxing, rather than unsettling or nervous.
The second piece is a live manipulation of the previous recording, with added live feeds and mixing. This one is somehow larger, deeper, and more cavernous. It's a heavier and more sonorous invocation of the same spirit. Exceptional, individual, and provocative soundwork that conveys, if nothing else, that there are worlds within the worlds around us. (Cohort Records)

Michael Gendreau website

JDG - "Living Underground" CD

When he's not releasing fine experimental sounds via his own indie label Cohort Records, John D. Gore creates his own. 'Living Underground' is a collection of 'manipulated field recordings', and this proves to be a fairly oppressive and gray set of textures. The opening cut reminds me of the sounds of machination and automation - like a subway tunnel mixed into oblivion. It's like a strange kind of dirty static. And with the album's title, it's not hard to believe that these recordings did originate from a subway tunnel. The lengthy second cut is more ambient, and brings a sort of drone underneath the distant rumble. Track 3 is more of a shrill drone/noise - the higher pitch seems to signify faster motion, perhaps. I can almost feel the ground move from the force of the trains, somehow. This ends up with a collage of sirens, which only enhances the stressful environment of 'Living Underground'. Overall, a fine set of urban soundscapes - definitely not a relaxing listen, but more one of kinetic energy and big-city unease. Industrial ambience, indeed! (Cohort Records)

The Infant Cycle / Dronaement "Split" CDR

A very fine set of abstract experimentalism from a couple of rather obscure sound artists, this is one in a continuing series from micro-indie Cohort Records (based in Monticello, IN of all places!).

The Infant Cycle is a Canadian artist (Jim DeJong) who has been releasing a steady stream of cassettes and cdrs since 1994. His 3 tracks here are subtle and understated soundtracks of varying tension and droning mood. His opening cut, 'Everything In Slow Motion', begins with a nicely bassy rhythm not unlike some of Lustmord's slow and deliberate semi-beat pieces. But whereas Lustmord surrounds his rhythms with lots of reverberations and spooky ambience, DeJong's track has a more playful air to it - and even a subtle tribal vibe. But it all ends rather abruptly as the track changes direction mid-song and becomes a faster-paced mantric drone and buzz. I liked the first half best. 'Field Musick For Marcus (Bag Of Hiss Life)' is a field recording of 'harbourfront' - a sedate and actually kind of calming soundscape, and 'Organ Music For You' is an obnoxious and 'industrial' sounding slice of shrill keyboard tones that evolves into a mellow ambient piece. Weird and schizophrenic.

Tucked in-between is a brief 40-second collaborative piece by both artists, and it's really barely there.

Dronaement is the loop/sample/field recording work of German composer Marcus Obst, and his series of 6 tracks are very quiet and receding in nature, pleasant and unobtrusive yet rather otherworldly and almost psychedelic at times ('Switch To Mono, Jim' is a good example of this confusing and inviting direction). He takes pride in NOT creating the usual dark and stifling industrial sounds, but wisely, he combines the dark with the light (after all, you can't have one without the other, eh?). His use of natural sounds (birdsongs, wind, maybe some insects or frogs?) is refreshing and lovely, too.

Overall, a mostly listenable selection of drone/ambient sounds to float away with, with an artful presentation (the disc is enclosed in a nicely-designed sleeve with informational insert). (Cohort Records)

The Infant Cycle

Dronaement