September 4, 2026

Silent Universe – Merger (Digital/CD Album – Cryo Chamber)

Silent Universe – "Merger" album cover
🇺🇦 Side-Line stands with Ukraine - Show your Support

We know Pavel Malyshkin primarily from his Ugasanie project, but he has also released several works under the name Silent Universe.

“Merger” opens with an overwhelming track that immediately transports the listener into a world of utter darkness. The following pieces continue to radiate an icy atmosphere with a powerful sense of imagery. While the tracks can at times feel somewhat monotonous, they still manage to deliver a breathtaking experience. The deep waves of sound remain obscure and ominous, with crescendos that are particularly effective. Each of the six tracks is long, and it isn’t always easy to maintain full attention throughout. In that respect, the final piece feels slightly underwhelming, but this does little to diminish the overall strength of the opus.

In my opinion the best work of this Belarusian artist. (Rating:8).

Listen to “The Great Attractor”:

About Silent Universe

Silent Universe is a Dark-Ambient and Cinematic project of Belarusian artist Pavel Malyshkin, who is also known for his Ugasanie project, formed in autumn 2010 and centered on polar and cold-ambient themes drawn from field research on the Yamal Peninsula. As Silent Universe, Malyshkin released “The Infinity Coordinates” in 2018, followed by “Immensity” in 2023 and now “Merger” in 2025, all issued via Cryo Chamber.

Support Side-Line

More people read Side-Line than ever, and there is still no paywall and no advertising. Readers pay for it instead - from $5 a month.

Select a Donation Option (USD)

Enter Donation Amount (USD)
Why we ask

Advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news organisations we have not put up a paywall, and we refuse to add annoying advertising, so we need to ask for your help. Side-Line’s independent journalism takes time, money and hard work to produce, and we do it to push the artists we like, who are equally fighting to survive.

Handled by PayPal.