Phonothek – Styx (Album – Cryo Chamber)

Genre/Influences: Dark-Cinematographic.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Georgian duo Phonothek has unleashed their third full length album. The title speaks for itself; the mythological river flowing between life and death is a fascinating source of inspiration for this kind of music.

Content: The sonic trademark of Phonothek remains the trumpet playing. It creates a part of magic, switching from cold- to smooth passages, from Industrial- to a kind of Cold-Jazz music. But there’s much more than only trumpet parts, the work being recovered with ominous atmospheres and multiple field recordings. I also noticed some fragmented, deep pitched vocals leading the listener into a lost world.

+ + + : “Styx” is dominated by a strange, imaginary universe created by the simply power of our own imagination. Dark-ambient and-Cinematographic music have the power to create surreal images. But it’s first of all created because of this band’s talent and nose to create a perfect twist between Electronic manipulations, field recordings and trumpet playing. The trumpet injects an authentic touch to the composition and that’s probably what reinforces the visual strength of the work. Especially the first part of the work excels in feelings of desolation, being the perfect soundtrack for a dark- and gloomy film.

– – – : I can’t say that the second part of the album is not good, but I’m missing the bewitching effect of the trumpet there.

Conclusion: “Styx” makes me think of an imaginary, contemporary requiem.

Best songs: “Lethe”, “Shadow Of The Ferry”, “Styx”, “Iron Rain”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/Phonothekproject

Label: www.cryochamberlabel.com / www.facebook.com/CryoChamber

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