Ierophania – Book Of Memories IV: Jordan (2009-2010) (Album – Castle Of Dreams)
Genre/Influences: Dark-Ambient, Industrial.
Format: Digital, Cassette.
Background/Info: “Jordan” is the fourth and last chapter of the “Book Of Memories”-series by the Russian Industrial project Ierophania. The album features four tracks, which have been introduced as being in the line of the collaborative album(cf. “Escort Of Endless Summer”) Ierophania did together with their compatriots of Fanum.
Content: The main difference between these ‘later’ tracks and former albums is the explicit Dark-Ambient side. Ierophania constructed a heavy, resonating sound, which gives you the impression of an echo in a church. The atmosphere is menacing and overloaded with elements of drama.
+ + + : This is already a work with a different focus and the least I can say is that Ierophania have a nose to compose poignant and overwhelming obscure Ambient atmospheres. The last track especially has a strong visual appeal. The sound has something disturbing, creating the sensation of a nearby disaster. The best cuts definitely are both last ones.
– – – : It’s a shame this Russian formation didn’t get more recognition and response in the international Industrial music scene.
Conclusion: These four albums of the anthology are a true must-have for all Industrial & Dark-Ambient fans. The last album in the series is a masterpiece.
Best songs: “Hagalaz Ritual”, “So I Will Be Protected In The Shining Of Your Eyes”.
Rate: 8.
Listen to “Book Of Memories IV: Jordan (2009-2010)”:
Artist: www.facebook.com/Ierophania
Label: www.facebook.com/codmusicdistro
About Ierophania
Ierophania is a Russian ritual industrial and dark ambient project active since the mid-2000s. Discogs credits the recordings to a single member, listed as Мертвый Лед. The label Castle Of Dreams states the project “has never been genre-oriented” and “has always remained true to its once-postulated ‘ritual anti-art’ manifesto”.
The project debuted in 2006 with the limited CDr “Иерофания” on Ufa Muzak, followed by the two-disc “Детство” on Embrion D in 2007 and the “Splite” and “Human’s Death” EPs in 2008. Four titles appeared in 2009: both volumes of “Ritual Works For Destruction”, on Tachibana Records and Spermodeath Records, plus “Heliogabalus” and the collection “Mobilization 2005 – 2009” on SkullLine. “Krv” followed on DNA Production in 2012, alongside the collaborative album with Fanum, “Escort Of Endless Summer”, on Radiodrone Records.
Castle Of Dreams issued the four-part “Book Of Memories” series on 8 August 2021, using 2017 remasters and artwork by J. Nemo. “Jordan” closes the set, after “Book Of Memories I: The Flight Of A Bee (2005-2006)”, “Book Of Memories II: Golgotha (2006-2007)” and “Book Of Memories III: The Scar (2008-2009)”. The label also reissued “Heliogabalus” on CD in 2021.
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