Touch Records introduced many experimental and post-industrial music fans to some of the most crucial artists of the past 40 years or so. This compilation originally came as 28 single tracks which were available via subscription only, but since that option was shut down, the label thankfully compiled these tracks into one album.
I don’t remember Somewhere in Time as being a classic movie, but the film was enjoyable and starred Christopher Reeve (of Superman fame) and Jane Seymour. It’s fun to hear a much darker take of the soundtrack coming from composer Scott Lawler. This would have made the film a much more emotionally gloomy affair.
Respect to Midira Records for publishing this work by Tehran-based composer Shahin Souri. It is a most elegant take on ambient music. There should be a better term for this, as the genre’s name is so badly abused these days, and this seems to transcend it.
Today is a workday for us in Beijing, so there is no review today, but I did want to point you to an Indonesian band called Senyawa, who is featured on Rafaelle Pezzella’s incredible Unexplained Sounds Group‘s digipak retrospective called the Far East Music Collection. It is a reissue of three seminal compilations covering experimental music from China, Indonesia and the Far East in general. The set looks gorgeous, and Senyawa‘s contribution is mind-blowing.
The first thought I saw with this lovely cover art from Greek composer Anglachel was, “good boi!” It’s a heartbreakingly charming bit of cover art, but the main story is the music. It’s dungeon synth, but perhaps a little meatier than what I am used to hearing. The production value is quite nice. The story about the release is recorded below: “The purpose of this EP is to provide assistance in organizations helping stray animals in Greece. For that reason ALL earnings will be donated to such organizations. The donation will take place on the 8th of May, so contributions…
Alphaxone are a Tehran-based project who put out profoundly deep and lush dark ambient music.
Hiemis are a project out of Spain, not exactly a mecca (yet) for dark ambient bands or dungeon synth, but this album is wonderfully bleak and enveloping. It has the feel of a lo-fi Spanish or Italian horror soundtrack, but with a lot of warmth to it. Eerie, of course, but accessible.
The legendary Lustmord has a new album which releases on March 15, 2024. Judging by the one track currently available to sample, this will be a creepy, heavy album with all the horror of watching a Bosch painting melt while on acid. This will be that deep.
Øystein Jørgensen should need no introduction to those who follow ambient experimental music. He has been quiet over the past few years, but I came across this old recording from 2010 which showcases his more sound designer influences.
As Orthodox are still going through the process of Advent, we share our second post of the year in honor of the Birthgiver of God (Theotokos), as composer Scott Lawlor has titled this 2019 release. Time flies, but great electronic and ambient music maintains its station.