Since releasing his first album in 2010, Iranian artist Mehdi Saleh has built an impressive discography. Along the way, he has released numerous albums, including several collaborations with other renowned projects within the genre.

“Subsynthetic Pulseforms” features ten new compositions that take the listener on a fresh journey through sci-fi-inspired and cosmic soundscapes. The universe of Alphaxone remains firmly rooted in dark, drifting waves of sound that perfectly embody the Cinematic genre. Over the years, Mehdi Saleh has continually refined his craft, enriching his music with meticulously crafted details, subtle textures, and carefully placed effects. Field recordings further complete the sonic canvas, creating the impression of an approaching apocalypse—or perhaps a world already living in its aftermath. The artist invites the listener to surrender to their imagination, guiding them through a subtle yet immersive sound world where ominous signals, mysterious noises, and haunting atmospheres evoke a profound sense of wonder and unease. Alphaxone remains an artist with a strong visual appeal whose creativity consistently translates into quality.

“Subsynthetic Pulseforms” stands as another powerful and captivating opus from one of the genre’s most talented artists. (Rating:8½).

Listen to “Hypostasis”:

About Alphaxone

Alphaxone is the dark ambient project of Mehdi Saleh, a musician based in Tehran, Iran. Saleh began his music career in 2005 and set up Alphaxone as his dedicated dark ambient project in 2009. He later ran the related projects Spuntic (from 2011), Inner Place, and Monolith Cycle, active until 2014.

Alphaxone is signed to Cryo Chamber, the Oregon-based label run by Simon Heath (Atrium Carceri). Saleh’s album chronology on the label includes “Absence of Motion” in 2015, his third full-length, and “Echoes from Outer Silence” in 2016, his fourth. He also released the collaborative album “Stardust” with protoU in 2017 and has contributed to several Cryo Chamber compilation projects.

“Subsynthetic Pulseforms” was released on 21 April 2026, written, produced, and performed by Mehdi Saleh, with artwork and mastering by Simon Heath, continuing Alphaxone’s ongoing run of albums for Cryo Chamber.

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Iranian artist Mehdi Saleh has released an impressive number of productions since 2010, not to mention numerous collaborations.

In his latest work, he continues to explore the boundaries and connections between Dark-Ambient and Cinematic music. He leads the listener into an obscure, mystical world, crafting ultra-low soundscapes merged with astral strings, a wide range of effects, and field recordings. At times, a repetitive melodic sequence emerges, adding an extra layer of diversity to the sound.

More than ever, this production is rich in small subtleties and comes across as an intricately detailed whole.
It’s no coincidence that Alphaxone is regarded by many as one of the new grandmasters of the genre — and after listening to this latest release, I can only agree. (Rating:8½).

Listen to “Underverse”:

About Alphaxone

Alphaxone is the one-man dark ambient and space ambient project of Iranian musician Mehdi Saleh, active since 2010 under this name and under aliases including Inner Place, IX, Monolith Cycle, and Spuntic. Saleh releases through the American label Cryo Chamber.

His collaborations for the label include the space ambient album “Stardust” with Ukrainian artist ProtoU (2017) and a joint appearance alongside Council of Nine, Xerxes The Dark, and Wolves and Horses on the 2017 compilation “Tomb of Seers”. “Final Encounter” now continues his solo discography on Cryo Chamber.

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-Ambient, Cinematic.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: For more than ten years Iranian artist Mehdi Saleh has been releasing his work under the Alphaxone moniker. Most of his works and collaborative projects have been released by Swedish label Cryo Chamber.

Content: Alphaxone moves exploring the darkest corners of music switching from Dark-Ambient to Cinematic music and vice-versa. The main difference and innovative element of “Interdimensional” is the more explicit Ambient touch in the purest sense of the meaning. It feels a bit like an astral production or dark adaptation of Tangerine Dreams.

+ + + : Mehdi Saleh remains a prolific artist but he dares to walk on new paths. Going back to the ‘roots’ of ambient music isn’t that innovative but the way he mixes old-school Ambient influences together with his own, darker, and Cinematic style is worth discovering. This is a styled and artistic work revealing subtle sonic effects and impressive Dark-Ambient sound treatments.

– – – : The first half of the album is definitely the most interesting one; like the final part suffers from a lack of imagination.

Conclusion: The new Alphaxone-album brings different and renewing elements to the global production.

Best songs: “Quantum Evo”, “Temporal Vortex”, “Starfields”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/alphaxone

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

About Alphaxone

Alphaxone is the dark-ambient project of Iranian musician Mehdi Saleh, who began his music career in 2005 and set up Alphaxone as an official project in 2009. Saleh also runs the ambient-soundscape project Spuntic, launched in 2011. Most Alphaxone albums, including the 2016 release “Echoes From Outer Silence” and the collaborative “Stardust” with ProtoU, appeared on Cryo Chamber, the label that also released “Interdimensional”.

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Cinematic, Dark-Ambient, Drone.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Six years after the “Forsaken”-album  Mehdi Saleh (aka Alphaxone) and Oleg Puzan (aka Dronny Darko) joined hands again for a new Iranian-Ukrainian collaborative work. Both artists are quite familiar and renowned names from the Cryo Chamber roster and next to having released different solo-works, they also like to collaborate with other artists.

Content: The album reflects a dark sound universe with a strong visual appeal. Intense, heavy, sound waves have been mixed with field recordings plus an interesting canvas of noises and effects. The work is mixing elements of Drone, Dark-Ambient and pure Cinematic music.

+ + + : Both artists gained a wider recognition while remaining really prolific. This second album between Alphaxone and Dronny Darko sounds more mature and accomplished than its predecessor. We now feel a true harmony resulting in a dense, and apocalyptic atmosphere which is mainly coming through at the beginning of the work. The long, elaborated, and poignant sound waves have been masterly fused together with subtle noises, aquatic field recordings and effects. The tracks are characterized by a slow progression.

– – – : The cuts are becoming a bit predictable during the last part of the work.

Conclusion: This is a successful collaboration between two, talented and visionary artists of the Dark-Cinematic music universe.

Best songs: “Out Of Orbit”, “Shadow Constellation”, “Signal Erosion”, “Transmission Zero”.

Rate: 7½.

Artists: www.facebook.com/alphaxone / www.facebook.com/dronnydarko

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

Listen to “Beyond The Event Horizon”:

About Alphaxone & Dronny Darko

Alphaxone is the dark ambient project of Iranian artist Mehdi Saleh, and Dronny Darko is the project of Ukrainian artist Oleg Puzan. Both are established names on the Cryo Chamber roster with extensive solo discographies and a history of collaborating with other artists.

Saleh and Puzan first teamed up on the album “Forsaken”. “Beyond The Event Horizon” followed six years later as their second joint album.

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Cinematic, Dark-Ambient.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Mehdi Saleh remains a prolific artist and already strikes back with new work. “The Infinite Void” however is the first Alphaxone-album released this year.

Content: Alphaxone invites the listener to jump into an imaginary black hole. The visitor will enter an astral sound dimension characterized by dark sounds and ambiguous atmospheres although there also is a Psychedelic flavor on top of the work. Lost voices are running through the recording like lost humans trying to get in touch with the planet earth. 

+ + + : The main strength of this artist is that next to his prolific writing he never totally repeats himself. Every single work sounds driven by a different theme and influences. He now seems like exploring astral Ambient dimensions which he meticulously adapted into a dark work. The debut tracks are poignant, mixing great Ambient tones together with Psychedelic elements.

– – – : Despite of the exceptional debut part the album is progressively stagnating and repeating itself.

Conclusion: This is a dark space odyssey conceived by a talented and fascinating artist.

Best songs: “Exotic Matter”, “Across The Universe”, “Center X”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/alphaxone

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

About Alphaxone

Alphaxone is the dark-ambient project of Iranian musician Mehdi Saleh, who began his music career in 2005 and set up Alphaxone as an official project in 2009. Most of his works and collaborative projects have been released by Cryo Chamber, including the joined album “Stardust” with ProtoU in 2017. “The Infinite Void”, released in 2022, is Alphaxone’s first solo album of the year.

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-Ambient, Cinematographic.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Iranian artist Mehdi Saleh has released a countless number of albums and collaborative productions over the past ten years. “Ghost Machine” is his newest solo-work revealing nine new cuts.

Content: Alphaxone achieved a new sonic exposure as an imaginary bridge between pure Dark-ambient and freaky cinematographic music. It’s a dark composition, which brings the listener quite instantly into a state of fear. The tracks are progressively evolving towards a more elaborated final part. Resonating sounds and obscure noises are merged with refined astral bleeps right at the end of the work.

+ + + : Mehdi Saleh is a prolific artist, but I’m really fascinated how he holds on the quality of his productions at a very high level. “Ghost Machine” is dark work and I even dare to say his darkest production ever. The tracks have been progressively built up to a phenomenal final part. “Aftershock” and “Dissolution” create an imaginary apocalyptic apotheosis with a strong visual strength. There’s an impressive and overwhelming power emerging from the sound treatments, but you’ll also notice subtle sound arrangements in the background.

– – – : I’m not saying that the debut part of the work is monotonous, but the best cuts are right at the end. So, it takes a bit of time and a few tracks before Alphaxone reveals its best side. 

Conclusion: Alphaxone remains faithful to its familiar sound and music approach although the artist is constantly trying to put different accents in his production. This is a magnificent work.

Best songs: “Aftershock”, “Dissolution”, “Underneath”, “Derelict”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/alphaxone

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Cinematographic, Dark-Ambient, Experimental.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: “Back To Beyond” is the second album composed as a collaboration between Iranian Mehdi Saleh (Alphaxone) and Ukrainian Sasha Cats (ProtoU). The album has been released four years after “Stardust”, both artists also have worked with countless other artists while releasing their own solo-albums. 

Content: I experienced “Stardust” rather as a soundscape while the new work sounds more diversified. It remains a dark Cinematic journey carried by obscure tones, buzzing sound waves and field recordings, but I also noticed droning effects and Electronic sound manipulations reflecting a true minimal approach right at the final part of the work.

+ + + : Both artists became experienced musicians who’re used to working with other artists and especially label mates. There’s a true symbiosis between both sound universes, but I think this album goes much further than “Stardust”. It’s different and incomparable, but I prefer this album’s diversity. I like the surprising minimalistic sound treatments running through “Myriad Disguises”, which sounds like an unexpected finale. Another great cut is “Dreams Of Solace” carried by drone effects and repetitive sequences.

– – – : Collaborative efforts between label mates resulting in albums make the particularity of Cryo Chamber, but there isn’t always a true chemistry. It sounds like there’s something special between Alphaxone and ProtoU so move on working together guys instead of other collaborations.

Conclusion: This album makes me think of a dark and contemporary approach of Wim Wenders.

Best songs: “Myriad Disguises”, “Dreams Of Solace”, “Future Underground”, “Through The Golden Dust”.

Rate: 8.

Artists: www.facebook.com/alphaxone / www.facebook.com/protoudrone

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Cinematographic, Dark-Ambient.

Format: Digital, 2CD.

Background/Info: Since 2014, each year we get a “Cryo Chamber Collaboration”-album. It always consists of a collaborative- and conceptual production between label artists paying tribute to the work of H.P. Lovecraft. This latest production has been released at the end of 2020 and features the following artists:Neizvestija, ProtoU, Dronny Darko, RNGMNN, In  Quantum, Dead Melodies, Atrium Carceri, Keosz, Northumbria, Beyond The Ghost, Wordclock, God Body Disconnect, Randal Collier-Ford, Hilyard, Council Of  Nine, Dahlia’s Tear, Lesa Listvy, Creation VI, Aegri Somnia, Ager Sonus, Ruptured World and Alphaxone.

Content: The work features two extended pieces from 70 and 69 minutes. “Yig 1” is more diversified featuring buzzing noises, passages with slow rhythms, vocal effects, dreamy atmospheres, and field recordings. It’s a pure Cinematographic sensation, which becomes even more explicit on “Yig 2”. We here get an abyssal sensation featuring low sound resonations and progressively evolving into a total ‘film music’ approach refined with piano parts.

+ + + : This collaborative concept remains a unique experience, but also a true tour de force set up and masterly lead by Cryo Chamber’s owner Simon Heath. The common thread of this work is the dark atmospheres reflecting a pure Cinematographic style. It’s a collage of different parts, which all together create a sonic osmosis. I personally prefer the first disc “Yig 1”, which is more diversified and also a bit darker. You don’t really get the feeling listening to tracks of one hour; there’s enough variety resulting in different passages, which are now refined and then rougher. This is the perfect release to accompany a visual performance.

– – – : Even if the production is diversified, there however is a monotonous sphere hanging over the work. I’m missing highlights.

Conclusion: This album once again stands for the true spirit of Cryo Chamber; Cinematographic music around a conceptual theme accomplished by the artists of the label roster.

Best songs: “Yig 1”.

Rate: (7).

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Experimental, Dark-Ambient, Abstract, Cinematographic.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Italian label Unexplained Sounds Group moves on its sonic travel exploring distant and often unknown music scenes from this planet. This new compilation featuring fourteen tracks brings us back to Iran; a country featuring talented Experimental/Ambient artists. So this second volume features a few familiar names –most of them already got featured at the previous compilation, like Alphaxone, Xerxes The Dark, IDFT and SpectroDuo, but still new names.

Artists: Shahin Souri, Force Ignore, Ali Ostavar, Varkâna, Soheil Soheili, Xerxes The Dark, IDFT, Solatipour Reza, Sohrab Motabar, Ali Latif Shushtari, Alireza Amirhajebi, SprectroDuo and Alphaxone.

Content: The sampler brings a diversified spectrum of the Iranian underground scene related with Experimental, Industrial and Dark-Ambient music. Some artists are featuring some typical Eastern atmospheres –due to the use of traditional instruments, on top of their work, but globally speaking it’s fascinating to notice the ‘Western’ approach in the use of field recordings and the global Abstract format of the music. Some passages are extremely Experimental while other artists are featuring more ‘classic’ Dark-Ambient music.

+ + + : I remain an unconditional supporter of this compilation series, which each time again let us discover new names and talented artists. The presence of Alphaxone and Xerxes The Dark are there to remind us of the growing status of the Iranian scene. They both deliver a dark exposure to this compilation and especially the final track from Alphaxone is a great Cinematographic composition. Among the other artists I’ll mention Force Ignore for its somewhat lamentation style emerging from the female chants. The opening piece by Shahin Souri is another great discovery, creating a tormented and chilling electronic atmosphere. Solatipour Reza is another artist to watch out for, dealing with a mystic piece that has been slowly built up.

– – – : I’m not that into Experimental music and this compilation is definitely more into this vein than its predecessor.

Conclusion: Iran remains a prolific ground for Experimental music and related genres so this new volume in the label series is a welcome gift to enlarge our sonic horizon. 

Best bands: Alphaxone, Xerxes The Dark, Force Ignore, Shahin Souri, Solatipour Reza.

Rate: (7½).

Label: www.facebook.com/unexplainedsoundsgroup

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Cinematographic.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: The Internet makes everything possible today! “Dream Chambers” resulted from the common efforts between Cesar Alexandre (Brazil) and Mehdi Saleh (Iran). They’re both label mates and have already released a considerable number of productions. Mehdi Saleh is used to working and releasing with other artists. The main idea or theme behind this work is ‘exploring the delicate bridge between reality and dreams’. 

Content: The opening track has something menacing and filled with field recordings. The use of field recordings is the common thread, but quite progressively the work becomes more and more ‘abyssal’. It’s a progressive trip getting you the impression to explore unknown territories of prosperity. Especially the last tracks are becoming less dark although always hiding a few evil noise sources. 

+ + + : Mount Shrine and Alphaxone both transposed their own sound and influences into a more explicit Cinematographic approach, but the main evolution is the prosperity supporting this work. I noticed a kind of dark climax at “Ethereal Origins”, which is the fourth cut from the album, but the next 4 songs are definitely more relaxing. It’s an invitation to dream away, awakening in a prosper and peaceful world. Some darker field recordings like thunder noise are there to remind us that all is vulnerable and reality is always changeable. So I would say this is an album opening with a fascinating darker side and moving towards a serene end.

– – – : I have a preference for the darker beginning of the work so I would not say the other tracks are like an antithesis, but it feels like an album with 2 different sides.  

Conclusion: The main strength of this album is the different approach from both artists resulting in a production, which is somewhat different from what you’re, used to hearing from both protagonists.

Best songs: “Ethereal Origins”, “Beyond The Gates”, “Displacement”, “Dream Chambers”.

Rate: (7).

Artists: www.facebook.com/mtshrine / www.facebook.com/alphaxone

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-ambient, cinematographic.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: One year after his debut album “The Substance Of Perception”, Italian composer Alessio Antoni strikes back with a similar concept. He again invited some familiar names active at the wider fields of dark-ambient music to contribute each on one track. So you’ll discover collaborations with Phelios, Dødsmaskin, Phragments, Yann Hagimont (Cober Ord) and George Zafiriadis (Martyria), Mount Shrine, Xerxes The Dark and Yann Hagimont (Cober Ord), Alphaxone, Leila Abdul-Rauf, Shrine. And there’s like a concept in the concept as each track is inspired by a famous painting (or writing). 

Content: The tracks are varied, but the cohesive element between them all is the fascination for darkness. The album reflects a kind of nearby disaster, which is created by overwhelming sound waves and sinister sound arrangements. Some tracks are featuring extra elements such as drones, astral atmospheres, sounds of classical instruments and even a few vocals.  

+ + + : Just as on the debut album, this work reveals a great selection of guests. The difference however is that this album sounds more accomplished. There’s a stronger visual strength emerging from the work. I was mainly impressed by the overwhelming sound production running through “The Last Abjurer” featuring Phelios. Other noticeable cuts are “The Collapse Of Matter And Time” (which is the single cut from the album without any contributor) and “Towards Oneiric Truths” featuring Leila Abdul-Rauf. But my favorite cut is “Thou, Daemon“ featuring vocals by Yann Hagimont (Cober Ord) plus George Zafiriadis (Martyria). This track has something dark and even tenebrous.

– – – : I can’t say that some tracks remained unachieved, but some are missing a true apotheosis.

Conclusion: I think it’s not an easy thing to manage such a work featuring multiple guests on each composition, but there’s a noticeable evolution from the debut album towards this new one.

Best songs: “Thou, Daemon”, “The Last Abjurer” “The Collapse Of Matter And Time”, “Towards Oneiric Truths”, “Virtues Of The Dawn”. 

Rate: (7).

Artist: www.facebook.com/neraterrae

Label: www.cycliclaw.com / www.facebook.com/cycliclaw

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-ambient, drone, cinematographic, experimental.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: This album features thirteen artists dealing with music influences related to dark-ambient, drone, cinematographic and related genres.

Artists: Rapoon, Troum, Autopsia, Schloss Tegal, Tunnels Of Ah, Alphaxone ao.

Content: Eight Tower Records (subdivision of Unexplained Sounds Group) invites the listener to a sonic travel where darkness is King. There’s an interesting mix between established, great names and  a few ‘new’ ones. They all bring an interesting twist of dark music moving from heavy sound treatments towards pure experimentalism/minimalism driven by field recordings to dark evasive passages into the realms of cinematic music.

+ + + : This compilation reveals a great sound production, which I especially noticed on the tracks by Rapoon and Gaspar Peralta –who’s one of those ‘new’, but talented artists featured on the sampler.  The track by Simon Balestrazzi is another attention grabber for the mix of cello-like sounds together with metallic noises and vocals’ effects lost in space. Taphephobia is one of the noticeable formations in the cinematographic style, but my absolute favorite track is the one by Martyria. I discovered this Greek project by their debut album released on Malignant Records. They’ve been featured here with a track that makes me think of a haunted version of Ennio Morricone.

– – – : The biggest names from the compilation aren’t maybe featured with the best cuts.

Conclusion: This is a sampler with a great sound production featuring visionary and diversified artists.

Best bands: Martyria, Gaspar Peralta, Taphephobia, Rapoon, Simon Balestrazzi, Troum.

Rate: (8).

Label: www.facebook.com/eighthtowerrecord

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-ambient, dark-cinematographic.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info:  We’re used to hearing collaborative efforts from Cryo Chamber artists. This new opus, which is a conceptual release inspired by the legendary Kraken has been accomplished between Alphaxone (Mehdi Saleh) and ProtoU (Sasha Puzan), who both are familiar artists from the Swedish label plus  Onasander (Maurizio Landini). The Italian project Onasander is less renowned while the Iranian Alphaxone and Ukrainian ProtoU projects both gained some recognition.

Content: The Kraken was a creature living in the water, which might explain the numerous ‘aquatic’ field recordings running through this work. It has been supported with an intimate, cinematographic atmosphere, which I recognize in the work of Alphaxone and ProtoU. Both projects share a very personal approach in sound, but they also have this subtle touch you don’t find in other projects. It’s hard to say what has been the input of the different artists, but their common efforts resulted in a compact, ghost-like sonic voyage.

+ + + : I like the intimacy of this production, but also the coherence of the work. You can’t feel at any single moment that this is a collaboration between different artists. The album reflects maturity and stands for a great work. There’s a strong visual appeal emerging, diving the listener into a tormenting and haunting atmosphere. “Thoughts Of Ancient Gods” is a brilliant exposure, but I also have to mention the somewhat more into ritual sounding “Northern Waves”.

– – – : This album is probably my favorite collaboration among the numerous Cryo Chamber collaborations. I didn’t hear real minus points and I can only encourage this trio to renew the experience.

Conclusion: “Shadows Of Forgotten Legends” is a great work and totally stands for the style and influences of Cryo Chamber!

Best songs: “Thoughts Of Ancient Gods”, “Northern Waves”, “Dusk Wings”, “Scourge Of The Seas”.

Rate: (8½).

Artists: www.facebook.com/alphaxone /   www.facebook.com/protoudrone  /    www.facebook.com/onasander

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-ambient, dark-cinematographic.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: “Dystopian Gate” must be the eleventh album by Mehdi Saleh aka Alphaxone. And I’m not considering the multiple collaborative releases that saw the light of day. This new opus and conceptual work is meant as an invitation ‘about the contrast between the dystopian and the dream of a better future among the stars’…

Content: Alphaxone moves on with the construction of styled and intimate dark atmospheres. The tracks have been progressively built up with the addition of little noises and effects. Buzzing sound waves are supported by white noises. The sensation of an old cracking vinyl record sound appears to be the red line through the work, but it also creates a ghost-like feeling.

+ + + : Alphaxone remains to me one of the most essential ambient composers from the dark-ambient scene of the last decennium. He’s not exactly innovating, but has this particular taste to refine his work with numerous little details and electronic effects. It creates an intimate universe, which however has something malefic. “Frozen Light ” is a perfect track to experience this disturbing sensation, which is due to the visual strength of Alphaxone’s work. The tracks don’t exactly need multiple sound layers to get you in their grip. “Falling Time ” is a very efficient track where you get the impression that not a lot is really happening and yet you can feel a deep feeling of angst.

– – – : The album is maybe missing an absolute climax to speak about a masterpiece. The main problem with prolific artists is that they’re often repeating themselves.

Conclusion: Alphaxone is a master in creating evasive music passages, which are although anguishing!

Best songs: “Frozen Light”, “Dissolving Horizon”, “Falling Time”, “Lost In The Moment”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.facebook.com/alphaxone

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Experimental, industrial, dark-ambient.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: This compilation was originally released in a digital format in 2016. There were some ‘political’ issues with Iran because of the original title “Iranian, Experimental Music Survey”, the compilation being black-listed. The compilation has been now re-released as CD format featuring twelve artists and songs while the digital edit featured eighteen artists.

Artists: Alphaxone, Xerxes The Dark, Idlefon, Bicolor, Spectro Duo, Nyctalllz

Content: We all know Iran from our history books, but we often forget this country also has a very active and interesting underground scene. Bands like Idlefon, Xerxes The Dark and Alphaxone became praised and successful names of the dark-ambient scene. This album sounds like a magic trip throughout the underground scene of Iran and more especially of its capital Tehran, where most of the bands are located. This is a real diversified release revealing multiple intelligent sound treatments by bands like Alphaxone, Bicolor and Umchunga, but also more experimental treatments from bands like Idft plus industrial-inspired formations like Xerxes The Dark, Nyctalllz and Spectro Duo. I also have to mention the minimalism from Tehransmission.

+ + + : I can imagine this re-release was not an easy thing because of the current political situation. I really have to express my gratitude to Raffaele Pezzella (label owner) for his devotion, passion and commitment. This compilation is not just dark-ambient music. It especially reveals an impressive sonic welfare of a country, which clearly seems to produce intelligent and passionate sound architects transposing ambient music into a real creative exposure. Next to a few familiar and established names I discovered several talented formations, which I hope will progressively find their way towards the West. I like this kind of conceptual release giving us an idea about the underground ambient-scene from one specific country!

– – – : I was less convinced by the more experimental artists from the sampler. Just a little regret some great tracks by Elemaun, Xsix and Hami Keivan aren’t featured on the CD format.

Conclusion: This compilation series remains to me the most educative one from the underground scene! What a Brilliant concept to connect people via music!

Best bands: Alphaxone, Tehransmission, Nyctalllz, Umchunga.

Rate: (8½).

Label: www.facebook.com/unexplainedsoundsgroup  

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-cinematographic, dark-ambient.

Background/Info: Iranian composer Mehdi Saleh is already back with a new opus. He released an impressive number of productions in less than 10 years.

Content: “Chronosphere” moves on there where previous works have stopped. The musician invites his audience to embark on a dark sonic shuttle for an ambient trip. The tracks have been progressively built up, sometimes gaining an ultimate point by the addition of sharp sound treatments. The visit brings us throughout baleful imaginary spaces, creating the impression of an endless tunnel effect accomplished with refined sound treatments.

+ + + : The visual strength of Alphaxone’s work remains intact. The listener will figure dark and disturbing images, which are reaching an apotheosis at “Into The Void” and “Ancient Pillars”. The composition is rather diversified, revealing an interesting palette of sounds and noises including field recordings. I also –and once again, enjoyed the delicacy of the sound treatments. The work is filled with multiple little details you can better discover by using headphones.

– – – : Some passages right in the beginning are a little bit monotonous. Mehdi Saleh remains a master in his genre, but his work became more predictable.

Conclusion: The sonic universe of Alphaxone remains an imaginary voyage throughout unknown mysteries.

Best songs: “Into The Void”, “Ancient Pillars”, “Particle Storm”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/alphaxone

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-ambient, cinematographic.

Background/Info: The recently released compilation “Visions Of Darkness In Iranian Contemporary Music” revealed the state of the Iranian dark-ambient music scene. “Aftermath” brings two from the finest Iranian ambassadors in the genre together.

Content: “Aftermath” is a rather typical album released by Cryo Chamber. It’s not only about the ‘concept’ of artists working together, but the sound is also devoted to the taste of label owner Simon Heath. “Aftermath” sounds dark and teasing your imagination to face the darkest subjects hidden in the secret corners of your mind. Nebulous sound waves have been joined by low vibrating sounds while some subtle arrangements are achieving the work.

+ + + : Alphaxone and Xerxes The Dark sound like a compact project bringing. They are real experts in the creation of cold, icy atmospheres leading the listener to face his most secret and hidden thoughts of horror. The work reveals a kind of authenticity, which is due to the use of ‘classical’-like sounds while I also enjoyed the refinement of sound treatments.

– – – : The album is nicely moving on, but is just missing a few moments or passages with a real apotheosis.

Conclusion: “Aftermath” is an invitation to experience a dark and imaginary meditation lead by two talented musicians from the (Iranian)  dark-ambient scene.

Best songs: “Ancient Amulet”, “Nascency”, “Deep Space Signals”.

Rate: (7).

Artists: www.facebook.com/alphaxone / www.facebook.com/xerxes.the.dark

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Cinematographic, dark-ambient.

Background/Info: This album is not a compilation, but a collaboration between numerous Cryo Chamber artists. Atrium Carceri, God Body Disconnect, Dronny Darko, ProtoU, Kolhoosi 13, Neizvestija, Northumbria,
Apocryphos, Randal Collier-Ford, Dead Melodies, Flowers For Bodysnatchers, Ager Sonus, Council Of Nine, Kammarheit, Gydja, Creation VI, Darkrad, Aegri Somnia, Ugasanie, SiJ, Alphaxone and Keosz have all contributed to this work, which took them over a year to accomplish “Shub-Niggurath”. It’s a conceptual work inspired by H.P. Lovecraft. Cryo Chamber already released previous Lovecraft tributes as a collaboration between label mates on “Cthulhu”, “Azathoth”, “Nyarlathotep” and “Yog-Sothoth”.

Content: “Shub-Niggurath” features 2 albums. It’s impossible to know what has been the real contribution of each artist, but one thing becomes rapidly evident: it’s a truly Cryo Chamber work. The influences and especially the dark-cinematic approach are easily recognizable. Each disc features a long duration track. The work is driven by the strength of the dark atmospheres and their visual appeal. From nihilistic landscapes towards cellar music, the work is joined by passages with drones, slow rhythms and an impressive arsenal of subtle noises, scratches and other sound effects.

+ + + : This kind of album featuring an endless list of artist is a real ‘tour de force’. It’s a fascinating concept, which I think would be interesting to realize how this album took shape and what have been the inputs of the artists. Next to the way it has been accomplished the album also reveals exciting passages and I here especially refer to low sound vibrations, the detailed format of the work with its endless number of sounds and noises, but most of all the baleful atmosphere recovering this tribute to the Master of fantasy and fiction.

– – – : Some passages are a bit long in duration and monotonous, but globally speaking there’s a real flow running through his work. I personally prefer the first disc although the final part of the second disc sounds pretty cool as well.

Conclusion: I don’t know other labels other than Cryo Chamber releasing this kind of conceptual work. It’s not only about a conceptual theme, but also about a label, which seems to be a real ‘family’.

Best songs: “Shub-Niggurath 1”.

Rate: (7½).

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-ambient, cinematographic.

Background/Info: Ukrainian artist Sasha Puzan is a very prolific musician. Since her debut album in 2015 together with her partner in crime Dronny Darko, she didn’t stop releasing new material. This is her fourth solo-work while she also released other albums together with Hilyard, Alphaxone plus the “Tomb Of Druids”-album together with other Cryo Chamber artists.

Content: “Echoes Of The Future” deals with the imaginary concept of leaving the earth. It’s an astral voyage towards an unknown destination, maybe a better world for our civilization. This theme has been remarkably adapted into a sonic voyage, which remains dark-like, but still characterized by a feeling of evasion and freedom. The tracks bring the listener into a progressive sonic storm, some of the final tracks being a little bit more hostile. Spoken samplings are accentuating the mystery around this obscure odyssey while enigmatic field recordings only reinforce the atmosphere.

+ + + : Especially the first part of the work reveals an intimate atmosphere and I even felt like an intruder entering into the secret world of the musician. But music is made to get shared with people and quite progressively I experienced the visual strength of this epos. Quite progressively the work moves into darker and overwhelming passages. “Hounds Of The Void” is the freakiest part of the work.

– – – : The single reproach I could figure is that Sasha Puzan is not exactly evolving in her approach. The influences and format remain the same-old, but at the other side she clearly has a very own sound DNA.

Conclusion: ProtoU remains one of the most delicate and subtle artists from the contemporary dark-ambient scene. This album is a real noticeable production illustrating and confirming her talent.

Best songs: “Hounds Of The Void”, “Vessels Of God”, “Transmissions”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.facebook.com/protoudrone

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Cinematographic, dark-ambient.

Background/Info: Iranian composer Mehdi Saleh has released an impressive number of productions since 2010. “Edge Of Solitude” is his fifth full length on Cryo Chamber, which seems to be a comfortable home for his work.

Content: Alphaxone is a dark-kind of soundtrack music. It always sounds like a journey through imaginary spaces. The space-like atmospheres mix prosperity and coldness. It more feels like an enigmatic journey in a fantasy universe. Deep resonating sounds, field recordings, heavy blasts and other buzzing sound waves lead the listener into an unforgettable sonic trip.

+ + + : I consider Alphaxone as one of the most innovating and talented artists from the past few years. This music brings dark-ambient and cinematographic music together, but with a very special and proper sound DNA. Darkness has been replaced by mysterious atmospheres while the global sound production and mixing both have something pretty high tech. It’s an overwhelming sound experience, which mainly comes through at the last part of the work. “Lost Horizon” and “Overland” both are great pieces of music confirming the talent of this project.

– – – : The first part of the album is cool and enjoyable, but missing the climax I experienced at the final part of the work.

Conclusion: “Edge Of Solitude” is not my favorite Alphaxone work, but it still stands for poignant ambient music with an emotional content.

Best songs: “Lost Horizon”, “Overland”, “Road To Nowhere”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/alphaxone

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-ambient, minimal-electronics, cinematographic, experimental, ritual.

Background/Info: Italian label Unexplained Sounds Group is a small but fascinating releasing original productions if you’re in search of new- and unexplored sonic paths related with dark-ambient, industrial, experimental music and other related genres. I earlier this year discovered this sampler featuring 21 bands from Iran. Cold Spring now re-released the compilation on CD format, which will for sure give a wider exposure to this compilation.

Bands: Xerxes The Dark, Hossein Rangchi, Idft, Alphaxone, Limen, Crows In The Rain ao.

Content: If you’re not familiar with the Iranian underground scene, which is mainly based in the biggest cities of the country, this compilation is an opportunity to discover several unknown bands active in a fascinating underground scene. From pure dark-ambient mixed with mystic elements to obscure cinematographic experiences to pure ambient reverie to more ritual music to minimal electronics carried by a slow tempo, this sampler reveal a real huge diversity in sound and influences.

+ + + : The main strength of this compilation for sure appears to be its diversity. Next to some more familiar and established names such as Alphaxone and Xerxes The Dark, we get a serious amount of ‘new’ names. I discovered the fascinating universe of Limen, the mysticism of Saint Abdullah, the experimental and somewhat noise-inspired  Hossein RangChi, the mysterious sound universe of PooYar and the more into ritual-sounding Mehdi Behbudi together with Vahide Sistaani.

This release is exactly what I expect from a compilation, which is discovering new bands!

– – – : Despite of the diversity, this is not the kind of accessible music for a wider audience. You really have to like dark-ambient, experimental music and related genres to enjoy this work. The most famous and/or familiar names aren’t delivering the best cuts.

Conclusion: I’m progressively getting more familiar with Iranian projects dealing with underground electronics and this sampler only confirms the huge number of talented artists active around Tehran.

Best bands: Saint Abdullah, Mehdi Behbudi & Vahide Sistaani, PooYar, Limen, Mehdi Behbudi.

Rate: (7).

Label: www.coldspring.co.uk / www.facebook.com/coldspringhq

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-ambient, cinematographic.

Background/Info: Iranian artist Mehdi Saleh (aka Alphaxone) joined hands together with Ukrainian composer Oleg Puzan (aka Dronny Darko) to unleash this album featuring 8 tracks. Alphaxone also released an album together with ProtoU… the partner in crime of Dronny Darko.

Content: I consider Alphaxone as one of the ‘new’ dark-ambient masters so I’m always fascinated to discover what this artist has accomplished. But Dronny Darko also is one of the growing talents in the dark-ambient and drones genre so “Forsaken” could only, but become a noticeable work. Both artists are moving exploring the darkest corners of dark-ambient music resulting in humming, vibrating cellar tones reinforced with field recordings creating a visual appeal. Lost voices are haunting these corridors of despair, which only accentuate the vision of despair and angst.

+ + + : The visual aspect of the album definitely works well on a few cuts. The power of the music directly incites the listener to figure the most anguishing visions and that’s for sure one of the main strengths of dark-ambient music. Some field recordings have a real important impact in this global sensation and I regret –even if it’s a bit cliché, there are no more passages with these voices.

– – – : I was pretty confident about this work and even if it clearly reveals great passages I prefer to hear both artists separately. Working together became a kind of ‘trademark’ between Cryo Chamber artists, but it sometimes affects the original spirit of each artist. I heard great releases between label mates, but I’m maybe missing some chemistry between Alphaxone and Dronny Darko.

Conclusion: If you like the work of both artists, this album will for sure awake your curiosity, but maybe not your fascination… I expected a bit more out of this work.

Best songs: “Immersion”, “Outlying”.

Rate: (6).

Bands: www.facebook.com/alphaxone / www.facebook.com/dronnydarko

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-ambient, experimental, soundscape.

Background/Info: “Alpine Respire” resulted from the common efforts between Cryo Chamber artist Sasha Cats (aka ProtoU) and Bryan Hilyard (aka Hilyard). It also is a collaboration between artists from different continents. Ukrainian based ProtoU has already released two previous collaboration albums together with Dronny Darko and Alphaxone while Hilyard just released a split work with Elam.

Content: “Alpine Respire” leads us throughout familiar dark sound spheres accomplished with numerous field recordings and some impressive blasting tones. The field recordings definitely are one of the most essential and noticeable elements of the work.

+ + + : If you’re into visual music, the field recordings running through “Alpine Respire” will for sure bring your imagination into action. It creates an experimental exposure, which has been joined by dark-ambient atmospheres. I here especially enjoyed the impressive, vibrating and overwhelming dark tones. The final cut is more into harsher noises and is a great final cut.

– – – : The field recordings have a real important impact on this work and that’s why it sounds maybe a bit too into experimentalism. The tracks are missing a climax and feel a bit monotonous after a while.

Conclusion: ProtoU and Hilyard invite their audience to embark for an obscure trip on an endless sonic ocean, which will appeal for all of your senses.

Best songs: “Alpine Respire”, “Elwha Snowfinger”.

Rate: (6½).

Bands: www.facebook.com/protoudrone / www.facebook.com/hilyardmusic

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-ambient, minimal-electronics, cinematographic, experimental, ritual.

Background/Info: Italian label Unexplained Sounds Group is a small, but fascinating Italian label releasing original productions if you’re in search of new- and unexplored sonic paths related with dark-ambient, industrial, experimental music and other related genres. This sampler features 21 bands from Iran. The label last year released another compilation (cf. “Iran Experimental Underground 016 Survey”) devoted to the Iranian scene.

Bands: Xerxes The Dark, Hossein Rangchi, Idft, Alphaxone, Limen, Crows In The Rain ao.

Content: If you’re not familiar with the Iranian underground scene, which is mainly based in the biggest cities of the country, this compilation is an opportunity to discover multiple unknown bands active in a fascinating underground scene. From pure dark-ambient mixed with mystic elements to obscure cinematographic experiences to pure ambient reverie to more ritual music to minimal electronics carried by a slow tempo, this sampler reveal a real huge diversity in sound and influences.

+ + + : The main strength of this compilation for sure appears to be its diversity. Next to some more familiar and established names such as Alphaxone and Xerxes The Dark, we get a serious amount of ‘new’ names. I discovered the fascinating universe of Limen, the mysticism of Saint Abdullah, the experimental and somewhat noise-inspired  Hossein RangChi, the mysterious sound universe of PooYar and the more into ritual-sounding Mehdi Behbudi together with Vahide Sistaani.

This release is exactly what I expect from a compilation, which is discovering new bands!

– – – : Despite of the diversity, this is not the kind of accessible music for a wider audience. You really have to like dark-ambient, experimental music and related genres to enjoy this work. The most famous and/or familiar names aren’t delivering the best cuts.

Conclusion: I’m progressively getting more familiar with Iranian projects dealing with underground electronics and this sampler only confirms the huge number of talented artists active around Tehran.

Best bands: Saint Abdullah, Mehdi Behbudi & Vahide Sistaani, PooYar, Limen, Mehdi Behbudi.

Rate: (7).

Label: www.facebook.com/unexplainedsoundsgroup

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-ambient, industrial, experimental.

Background/Info: Swedish label Reverse Alignment is focused on music styles such as dark-ambient-, experimental-, industrial- and drone music. This sampler features a selection of 13 formations active at the wider fields of the aforementioned genres. It also is a fine selection from renowned- and upcoming bands plus a few little surprises.

Bands: Alphaxone, Xerxes The Dark, Emerge, Hoarfrost, Ajna & Dronny Darko, Solemn Embrace, Freiband ao.

Content: This sampler reveals a nice sonic palette of different formations dealing with ‘darker’ music styles. There’s an interesting progression in the tracklist featuring a few great exposures.

+ + + : I like the diversity of the sampler, but also the global quality of the tracks. Reverse Alignment really made a fine selection resulting in noticeable contributions. I was impressed by the anguishing atmosphere created by Vlad, the explicit and poignant ambient work of Gydja, the more industrial-driven atmospheres of Emerge, the totally haunting and yet somewhat industrial-like Hoarfrost featuring mysterious chants, the totally claustrophobic-like Xerxes The Dark, the deep vibrating noises by Alphaxone (definitely one of the new Masters in dark-ambient) and Dao De Noize. Freiband (aka Frans de Waard) is a kind of living legend bringing this sampler to an end.

– – – : I don’t have minus points, but I think it’s just a pity this kind of compilation will have some difficulties to reach a wider audience used to hearing this kind of music genres. There’s so much music plus releases to discover and new bands to purchase we’re sometimes missing great opportunities.

Conclusion: “For Your Ears Only” is a fascinating compilation bringing different-, but related styles together. I can only, but encourage you to discover this sampler.

Best bands: Gydja, Hoarfrost, Xerxes The Dark, Dao De Noize.

Rate: (8).

Label: http://ralignment.tictail.com / www.facebook.com/reversealignment

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Background/Info:

Read the news on ‘Stardust’.

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

This week the dark ambient label Cryo Chamber is focusing on space ambient and for the occasion you can save 50% on the following digital downloads:

“Stardust” by the duo Alphaxone (Iran) & ProtoU (Ukraine)

The album mixes Alphaxone’s spacey synthesizers and ProtoUs’ filtered noise. The result is recommended for lovers of space ambient and old school science fiction soundtracks. Listen to it below.

“Locus Arcadia” by Council of Nine, God Body Disconnect, Flowers for Bodysnatchers and Randal Collier-Ford

“Locus Arcadia” is a split album between 4 artists: Council of Nine, God Body Disconnect, Flowers for Bodysnatchers and Randal Collier-Ford. This album focuses on a horror theme set on an abandon space station. For you who enjoy “Event Horizon” and similar space horror.

“Echoes from Outer Silence” by Alphaxone

This is the 4th album for Iranian Mehdi Saleh on the Cryo Chamber label. This space mystique album revolves around the interception of unknown signals from space. Field recordings from earth meet vibrations from deep space.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Cinematographic, dark-ambient.

Background/Info: “Tomb Of Seers” is a new opus released on Cryo Chamber bringing different ambient artists together. Next to the familiar bands from the Cryo Chamber roster (cf. Council Of Nine and Alphaxone) this album also welcomes two artists that are not familiar with the label. I’m sure dark-ambient lovers are already familiar with the Iranian solo-project Xerxes The Dark while Wolves And Horses is a Belgian solo-project and maybe the less familiar name from this work. The album wants to be an exploration of ‘gargantuan mystical monuments and the root of occultism’. The main difference with the familiar ‘family’ releases on Cryo Chamber is that this album is more a kind of compilation where the bands didn’t work together.

Content: This work doesn’t really sound like a compilation, but rather as a conceptual release featuring bands sharing a common interest in the main theme. This work sounds pretty compact. It starts in a rather dark and chilling way, progressively evolving towards a soundtrack approach and finally getting darker and darker.

The compositions are now filled with a delicious wafting sensation and next leading the listener into a dense web of horror and mysteries. It’s somewhat ritual-like, but always carried with a solid cinematographic basis.

+ + + : This is a pretty sophisticated work, which sounds like all the artists added all their knowledge and talent to accomplish the concept. The composition is full of little details while moving from pure dark-ambient impression to beautiful space ballads. There’s a nice twist between ritual elements and bewitching mysterious atmospheres. Alphaxone confirms his impressive skills to compose dark music, but I also noticed great contributions from Xerxes The Dark and Wolves And Horses.

– – – : I noticed one single piece (from Council Of Nine), which can’t really convince me. I expected a bit more from this band, which has never disappointed me.

Conclusion: I like the idea to create a theme, which serves as a muse to inspire the bands composing their music. This album reveals a few little dark sonic pearls.

Best songs: “Omniscient –Xerxes The Dark”, “Aphelion – Wolves And Horses”, “Secret Path – Alphaxone”.

Rate: (8).

Bands: www.facebook.com/Council–Of–Nine-728531383895261 /  www.facebook.com/alphaxone / www.facebook.com/xerxes.the.dark / www.facebook.com/Wolves–and–Horses-159084161113780

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

“Tomb of Seers” is the second album in the “Tomb” series which has been released now. Note that the first one “Tomb of Empires” is still available via Bandcamp.

It features 4 ambient artists (Council of Nine, Alphaxone, Xerxes The Dark and Wolves and Horses) who have joined forces to delve deep into history. Sound wise you can expect dark drone and huge walls of sound carefully mastered by Simon Heath. A fan describes the album as follows: “A meditative, ethereal journey into the darker realms of mysticism. This one truly takes my breath away.”

The recording is not only available as a high quality download, but also on CD, more precisely as a 6 panel full color digipak. And if you missed the first part in the “Tomb” series, then make sure to grab the bundle package holding both volumes.

You can listen to the 8 tracks below.

Cryo Chamber also released a video:

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

side-line.com

Read the review of ‘Stardust’.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-ambient, soundscape, cinematographic.

Background/Info: Cryo Chamber definitely appears to be under the influence of H.P. Lovecraft. The label already released the “Cthulhu”-collaboration featuring several label artists working together and achieving a great opus.

“Nyarlathotep” is a new collaboration between an impressive number of label formations. The story is about ‘A season of political and social upheaval. Mankind felt as if the world was at a breaking point, but no one wanted to speak of this. Seasons grew hotter. Our faith in the known gods faltered. The timing was ripe for the arrival of Nyarlathotep.’

It has been transposed into music by Kammarheit, God Body Disconnect, Dronny Darko, Ugasanie, Kristoffer Oustad, Alphaxone, Svartsinn, SiJ, Gydja, Atrium Carceri, Darkrad, Flowers For Bodysnatchers, Aegri Somnia, Randal Collier-Ford, Neizvestija, Metatron Omega, Wordclock, ProtoU, Northumbria, Sjellos, Sabled Sun, Council Of Nine, Cryobiosis, Apocryphos, Enmarta and Mystified. Three albums were accomplished.

Content: “Nyarlathotep 1” takes us away for a voyage throughout industrial metal sounds rapidly joined by dark, buzzing noise waves. The sound reveals heavy vibrations and the magic of an Eastern-like flute. We progressively join an imaginary world of obscure reverie, like entering a tenebrous universe featuring spooky voices. It also sounds like a misty sound universe made of disturbing passages accentuated by impressive sonic blasts.

“Nyarlathotep 2” definitely sounds more into the soundscape format. It’s not as heavy, but more into a dense and constant chilling atmosphere. It quite progressively evolves towards harder passages like echoing thunder in the background.

The final chapter and album “Nyarlathotep 3” takes off with a kind of signals from an imaginary, distant planet. It’s pretty astral-minded while reinforced by great sweeps and new buzzing sound waves. It moves towards a crescendo until reaching an absolute climax while the final part sounds pretty oppressive and tormenting, somewhat reminding to the early work of Lustmord.

+ + + : The realization of this work is absolutely amazing and rather unique. This is the kind of concept that wouldn’t have been possible without an artist taking the responsibility to create an interaction between all contributors. Simon Heath has been probably the one that made this enormous project come true. You don’t really have the impression of listening to a mishmash created by numerous artists. The work is pretty compact and homogenous featuring a great 1^st and 3^rd disc.

– – – : The release stands for more than 3 hours of sound and music so you really have to take your time listening to this work in the right circumstances. I wanted to discover the work without interruption, which took me several takes.

Conclusion: “Nyarlathotep” is a great conceptual release based upon an original idea, but it also reveals the ‘family’ approach of Cryo Chamber to unite all bands under the same wings.

Best songs: “Nyarlathotep 1”, “Nyarlathotep 3”, “Nyarlathotep 2”.

Rate: (8).

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-ambient, electro-ambient, industrial-ambient.

Background/Info: Unexplained Sounds Group is a digital label and platform for mainly dark-ambient music. Next to other releases they created an interesting conceptual series revealing ambient music from different countries. They released albums with underground music from Germany, France, Italy, Canada ao while this series is dealing with music from the Iranian scene. It features 19 Iranian formations active at the wider fields of dark-ambient and experimental music.

Bands: Idlefon, Bicolor, Xerxes The Dark, Alphaxone, Hami Keivan, Idft, Tehransmission ao.

Content: We all know Iran from our history books, but we often forget this country also has a very active and interesting underground scene. Bands like Idlefon and Alphaxone became praised and successful names of the dark-ambient scene. This album sounds like a magic trip throughout the underground scene of Iran and more especially of its capital Tehran, where most of the bands are located.

This is a real diversified release revealing multiple intelligent sound treatments by bands like Alphaxone, Bicolor, Umchunga and Xsix, but also more experimental treatments from bands like Hossein RangChi and Idft plus industrial-inspired formations like Xerxes The Dark, Nyctalllz and Spectro Duo.

There also is more minimal-minded work by Elemaun revealing subtle treatments and the more into IDM-like Hami Keivan and Tehransmission.

+ + + : This compilation is not just dark-ambient music. It especially reveals an impressive sonic welfare of a country, which clearly seems to produce intelligent and passionate sound architects transposing ambient music into a real creative exposure. Next to a few familiar and established names I discovered several talented formations, which I hope will progressively found their way towards the West. I like this kind of conceptual release giving us an idea about the underground ambient-scene from one specific country!

– – – : A few bands can’t convince me, but it’s just a minority.

Conclusion: This is one of the most intelligent sampler concepts from the past few years, which made us also, discover unknown, but great bands.

Best bands: Alphaxone, Elemaun, Xsix, Hami Keivan, Tehransmission, Nyctalllz, Umchunga.

Rate: (8½).

Label: www.facebook.com/unexplainedsoundsgroup

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

A 190 minute dark soundscape album recorded by 25 ambient artists to pay tribute to H.P. Lovecraft. That is in short what you can expect on the “Nyarlathotep” album which is going to be released September 27, 2016 as a 3CD album set (housed in an 8 panel full color digipak) and a high quality download via Cryo Chamber. Pre-orders for both formats are available now via the label’s Bandcamp page.

The release holds field recordings from the deepest dark corners of 4 continents. The release is a collaboration and huge undertaking involving 25 artists who linked their studios and sound for over a year so that they could work with each other.

Bands involved are: Kammarheit, God Body Disconnect, Dronny darko, Ugasanie, Kristoffer Oustad, Alphaxone, Svartsinn, SiJ, Gydja, Atrium Carceri, Darkrad, Flowers for Bodysnatchers, Aegri Somnia, Randal Collier-Ford, Neizvestija, Metatron Omega, Wordclock, ProtoU, Northumbria, Sjellos, Sabled Sun, Council of Nine, Cryobiosis, Apocryphos, Enmarta.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

side-line.com

In 2014 Cryo Chamber got some of the most prominent dark ambient artists together to synchronize their studios during a year of collaboration creating the album “Cthulhu” in tribute to H.P. Lovecraft. It was followed up by the “Azathoth” collaboration album in 2015.

Following “Cthulhu and Azathoth”, Cryo Chamber now announces “Nyarlathotep”. This time 25 artists (!!!) synchronized their studios to create this tribute to H.P. Lovecraft. The album comes as a 3CD set and will soon be available for ordering via Cryo Chamber’s Bandcamp page.

The album will be officially out September 27, 2016. And to wet the appetite (and we’re pretty sure that serious dark ambient fans will be craving for this release) here’s already the list of bands which collaborated on the upcoming release:

• Kammarheit
• God Body Disconnect
• Dronny darko
• Ugasanie
• Kristoffer Oustad
• Alphaxone
• Svartsinn
• SiJ
• Gydja
• Atrium Carceri
• Darkrad
• Flowers for Bodysnatchers
• Aegri Somnia
• Randal Collier-Ford
• Neizvestija
• Metatron Omega
• Wordclock
• ProtoU
• Northumbria
• Sjellos
• Sabled Sun
• Council of Nine
• Cryobiosis
• Apocryphos
• Enmarta
• Mystified

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

side-line.com

The fine dark ambient label Cryo Chamber continues its Summer Sale, with 50% off all Alphaxone downloads including “Living in the Grayland”, “Altered Dimensions”, “Absence of Motion” and “Echoes from Outer Silence”.

You can listen to these 4 albums below and download them from Bandcamp at 50% off the normal price.

Happy downloading!

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

side-line.com

Behind Alphaxone is hiding a talented dark-ambient artist hailing from Iran. Mehdi Saleh is a passionate and prolific musician who has been involved in numerous dark-ambient projects. Alphaxone got signed to Cryo Chamber and has released multiple significant and poignant obscure productions during the past months. His last opus entitled “Echoes From Outer Silence” is a new exploration of sonic darkness and tormented ambient fields, but according to me it also appears to be the an intimate work.

(by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: I’m not familiar discovering dark-ambient music made by an Iranian musician so how did you get in touch with this music genre and can you briefly tell us something about your musical background?

Mehdi: I begin my music career in 2005, but my official work started in 2009 when I set up my dark-ambient project Alphaxone. After that, in 2011 I started another ambient-soundscape project named Spuntic. Beside these, till 2014 I was busy with other music projects called Inner Place and Monolith Cycle, which both had different elements and concepts.

Q: You’ve released an impressive number of productions in a rather short lapse of time. Where do you find all this energy & creative spirit and what’s your procedure to compose music?

Mehdi: I’ve spent a lot of time composing and listening to music; my main focus is on music, working on several music projects at the same time is really hard for every artist, however it’s the best way to emit my inner dark and bright senses and convert them into music… so music is not boring to me.

Q: What fascinates you working with conceptual themes and how do you transpose the content into your music?

Mehdi: In my opinion this kind of music is really impressive and important. I believe this music can help us to know the inner truth of the artist and the absolute understanding of artist’s outer ambience. The atmospheres and the FXs on this kind of music are good leaders to realize the story behind the artist’s mind and his/her experiences in life …

Q: I experienced your newest album “Echoes From Outer Silence” as your most intimate album to date. How do you look back at this work and how do you see your own evolution as musician throughout the years?  

Mehdi: Normally I don’t talk that much about my productions because I believe that others should listen, judge and leave comments. Certainly my sights are different from the audience’s sights. There are some secrets in every pieces of art, so these secrets are the keys to know more about an artist.

I think I have a long way and vast path to go in this music genre. There are many  great artists dealing with dark-ambient and I am just a member of this gorgeous family. I wish I can do better.

At last I want to thank you for your consideration about Alphaxone and my music, also I want to thank Simon Heath and my old friend Morego Dimmer (Xerxes The Dark)  for their supports.

Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Background/Info:

Read the news on ‘Echoes From Outer Silence’.

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Read the review of ‘Echoes From Outer Silence’.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

side-line.com

Read the review of ‘Diagnosis’.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

side-line.com

The dark ambient label Cryo Chamber has launched a sale on the releases of Alphaxone. Alphaxone is the project by Iranian musician Mehdi Saleh.

Saleh is no stranger to dark ambient with 7 full length albums behind him, of which Cryo Chamber serves the latest 3 endeavours. If you are into dark ambient soundscapes with a futuristic touch, then Alphaxone will be your thing for sure.

Alphaxone is Saleh’s first project, and was founded in the 2009. Since then he has been working on 3 other projects (Spuntic, Inner Place, Monolith Cycle).

You can find the albums which are discounted below or on the Bandcamp page of Cryo Chamber.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-ambient, soundscape.

Content: Last year Cryo Chamber released one of the most noticeable conceptual albums in history of dark-ambient music. “Cthulhu” was a collaboration of multiple artists in the genre accomplishing a phenomenal work around Lovecraft’s famous Cthulhu mythos and Dream Circle.

“Azatoth” is the successor to this impressive work. It again deals with the fantasy universe of H.P. Lovecraft, which has been transposed into dark sonorities by an impressive list of bands. It’s important to mention this is not a compilation, but an amazing collaboration featuring Atrium Carceri, Kammarheit, Foundation Hope, Taphephobia, Alphaxone, Alt3r3d Stat3, Apocryphos, Aseptic Void, Cryobiosis, Dark Matter, Darkrad, Dronny Darko, Halgrath, Mystified, Wordclock, Sabled Sun, Neizvestija, Randal Collier-Ford, Sjellos, Svartsinn, Tarradaemon and Ugasanie.

Each disc features just one single track. The 1st disc featuring “Azathoth 1” will hold you in its grip for almost an hour. It’s hard to imagine how this collaboration took part, but it once more stands for a real coup de force. You simply don’t get the impression this work resulted from the common efforts of all those bands. You’ll immediately get the impression of embarking on a heavy ambient trip leading you to imaginary freaky places. Low sound waves reinforced by overwhelming dark treatments are emerging to the surface creating a dark and frightening sensation.

Multiple sound treatments suddenly emerge like small pieces of a wider sonic puzzle. “Azathoth” stands for the chemistry of dark sounds, but especially for the chemistry between all those great artists. It’s hard to find the real input of every single formation, but I can assure you the impact of their common labor simply will leave you stupefied. This is for sure one of the most ambitious releases in history of dark-ambient music!

Cavernous passages joined by icy chain and humming sounds of imaginary spirits, plus multiple field recordings imprison the listener in a great, but freaky sonic cage from which you don’t really want to escape. You’ll progressively beg for more, just like reading a thriller which you cannot but down until the very end.

The 2nd disc featuring the track “Azathoth 2” will bring you more than 60 minutes of new chilling experiences. The style hasn’t changed and will directly lead you again towards the darkest corners of your imagination. I get the impression of being aspirated by the mouth of an evil force. This composition is carried by low vibrating sound waves featuring a kind of white noises. There’s a very progressive evolution towards darker and overwhelming passages.

This composition is also characterized by a few more accessible parts accentuating some prosperity. The work however remains ultra dark revealing chilling strings and echoing sound treatments.

Conclusion: It simply sounds incredible how this album has been realized while revealing a perfect cohesion between the input all of artists. I guess there’s no better sonic ode to Lovecraft than this work.

Best songs: “Azathoth 1”, “Azathoth 2”.

Rate: (DP:8½)DP.

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Content:

Read the news on ‘Absence Of Motion’.

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Read the review of ‘Absence Of Motion’.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

side-line.com

In 2014 Cryo Chamber got some of the most prominent dark ambient artists together to synchronise their studios during a year of collaboration creating the album “Cthulhu”. This year Cryo Chamber almost doubles the effort with a rumoured 2CD release follow-up. No less than 20 artists have been working for the last year to synchronise and co-create “Azathoth”. The album is scheduled for release in late 2015.

Note that “Cthulhu” and “Azathoth” are not compilations but collaborations.

The full artist list is as follows: Atrium Carceri, Kammarheit, Foundation Hope, Taphephobia, Alphaxone, Alt3r3d Stat3, Apocryphos, Aseptic Void, Cryobiosis, Dark Matter, Darkrad, Dronny Darko, Halgrath, Mystified, Wordclock, Sabled Sun, Neizvestija, Randal Collier-Ford, Sjellos, Svartsinn, Taphephobia, Terradaemon, Ugasanie.

Here’s a glimpse on what “Cthulhu” sounded like:

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-ambient, experimental.

Content: Iranian artist Mehdi Saleh has released an impressive number of productions in a rather short lapse of time. The 1st production saw the light of day in 2010 and “Altered Dimensions” is the 6th official full length of work.

This new work confirms the great ambient writing skills of Saleh, but I especially was impressed by the global production work. This album features impressive sound layers revealing an overwhelming power. The sonic creation by Alphaxone sounds complex and fascinating. The tracks constantly move in between 2 poles; pure reverie on one side and chilling passages on the other. Globally speaking the work remains –of course, characterized by its obscure inspiration. There’s a nice twist between experimental elements like field recordings/samplings and overpowering electronics. But the compositions also reveal great sound manipulations brining diversity to the album.

The opening cut “Distances” especially shows the subtle sound arrangements while merging dark atmospheres together with aquatic noises. The dreamy, but darker side of the album emerges on, “Human Frequencies” while we next dive into an abyssinian space (cf. “Passing Through”).

The next few cuts are pure ambient jewels! “Midnight Waves” and “Aftermath” both take you away into an obscure dream featuring resonating sound frequencies and monstrous sound manipulations. The tracks are refined by freaky noises which were mixed in the background.

Among the last cuts left “Equilibrium” is one more noticeable track revealing an elaborated writing and fascinating treatments. The least I can say is that Alphaxone doesn’t really sound like a ‘classical’ dark-ambient project. The work is more into complexity and details while carried by an impressive production work.

Conclusion: I haven’t heard all of the productions by Alphaxone, but from what I’ve heard I can assure you this new work for sure is the most accomplished album today. This is an intelligent and judicious approach of composing dark-ambient music.

Best songs: “Midnight Waves”, “Aftermath”, “Human Frequencies”, “Equilibrium”.

Rate: (DP:8½)DP.

Band: www.facebook.com/pages/Alphaxone/420065731489613

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com