French artist Pierre Laplace returns with the sixth installment of his Beyond The Ghost-project. Following the “Europe Series” trilogy, which explored futuristic themes, this album transports us to the 1950s through a mysterious, fantasy-infused detective story. The sound and production style remain unmistakably Laplace-like, enveloping listeners in an enigmatic atmosphere that enhances the ‘film noir’ concept. You can almost envision a dimly lit café, where a subdued, jazzy Soundtrack wafts from the speakers. The trumpet adds an evocative layer to this imaginary scene, perfectly complementing delicate vocal passages that emerge throughout the album. With this release, Beyond The Ghost solidifies its reputation as one of the most talented projects in the dark, Cinematic genre. (Rate:8½).

Listen to “Neon Dawn”:

About Beyond The Ghost

Beyond The Ghost is the dark ambient project of French musician Pierre Laplace, based in Lille. Laplace led the experimental rock band Vera Clouzot for ten years, self-released two acoustic solo albums as Kenyon, and is one half of the atmospheric folk duo The Sandman’s Orchestra. He described his approach to sound and atmosphere in a 2022 Side-Line ‘Click Interview’.

All Beyond The Ghost albums have appeared on the Cryo Chamber label: “You Disappeared” (2019), “Eternal Drift” (2020), the collaboration “Crier’s Bane” with Dead Melodies (2020), “The Last Resort” (2021), “The Desolation Age” (2021), and “Sundown” (2022). “Neon Twilight”, released in 2024, is the project’s sixth solo album and the release reviewed here.

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

Belarusian artist Pavel Malyshkin, known as Ugasanie, continues to impress with a prolific output over the past 15 years. His latest album, “Cold World Of Eternity”, invites listeners into a chilling sci-fi realm, crafted with Dark-Cinematic and Drone influences. The atmosphere is dense and frigid, gradually building a hostile, imaginary world accentuated by field recordings, percussion, and sharp, metallic sounds. Ugasanie pushes boundaries, delivering a challenging but rewarding experience for fans of the genre. (Rating:8).

Listen to “Tambourine Of The Underworld”:

About Ugasanie

Ugasanie was formed in autumn 2010 by Pavel Malyshkin, who spent six months in the Arctic Circle on the Yamal Peninsula, an experience that shaped the project’s recurring themes of the north and the tundra. Malyshkin uses synthesizers, field recordings, and live instruments including the khomus (jaw harp), ocarina, zhaleyka, and guitar to build his material. Ugasanie released the album “Border Of Worlds” on Cryo Chamber in 2016, and continues that Dark-Cinematic and Drone-based sound on “Cold World Of Eternity”.

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

“Remnants Of War” is a collaborative effort between Tineidae (Ukraine) and Sole Massif (Lithuania), drawing inspiration from AI and its potential impact on the world. The album is a pure Ambient journey, tinged with a vintage feel that pays homage to early pioneers of the genre. The composition is personal and dark, with subtle ties to Experimental music. Some tracks are particularly striking due to their intense, sonic blasts. (Rating:7½).

Listen to “Signal Triangulation”:

About Tineidae & Sole Massif

Tineidae is the project of Pavlo Storonsky, a Ukrainian artist now based in Poland. He debuted in 2012 with the album “Lights” on Tympanik Audio, a release rooted in IDM, before the project became part of the Cryo Chamber roster and moved toward a more Ambient and Cinematic sound. In a prior Side-Line interview, Storonsky described “Remnants Of War” as a reimagining of a possible futuristic aftermath of war, a theme he linked directly to the ongoing war in his home country. Sole Massif is a Lithuania-based ambient project.

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

“2150” marks the twelfth album by Swedish Dark-Ambient and Cinematic master Simon Heath (Atrium Carceri) and the sixth installment in the “Sabled Sun”-series. Building on the excellence of its predecessor “2149,” this new opus is steeped in profound Cinematic influences combined with Dark-Ambient elements. The sound remains space-like, filled with ghostly voices. Towards the end, more explicit Electro sequences emerge, reminiscent of Klinik’s more experimental work. “2150” is driven by the spirit of Ambient pioneers, with Simon Heath transforming their sound into a fascinating sonic journey. This is, without a doubt, my favorite work in the Sabled Sun discography. (Rate:8½).

Listen to “Space Walk”:

About Sabled Sun

Sabled Sun is a dark-ambient and cinematic series by Swedish producer Simon Heath, also known for his Atrium Carceri project, released on the American label Cryo Chamber. The series began with “Nyarlathotep” in 2016 and continued through “2148” and “2149.” Side-Line spoke with Heath about Atrium Carceri’s production methods in a 2024 interview. “2150,” the sixth Sabled Sun album, continues the series with denser cinematic and dark-ambient textures and closing electro sequences.

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

In less than 7 years, this is the seventh album by Scottish artist Alistair Rennie as Ruptured World. After the “Shore Rituals” album (2021), this is the second work in the “Rituals” series. The composition revolves around dark, floating, Cinematic music on the one hand and a more pronounced astral-Ambient influence on the other. You will hear a lot of field recordings in the background as well as trumpet passages that are more prominent. “Void Rituals” is a beautiful and artistic work. (Rate:7½).

Listen to “Canticle For A Dying World”:

About Ruptured World

Ruptured World is the dark-ambient and cinematic project of Scottish artist Alistair Rennie, released on the American label Cryo Chamber. The project’s music combines dark, floating, cinematic passages with field recordings and astral-ambient textures. Ruptured World released seven albums in under seven years, including “Shore Rituals” in 2021, the first entry in the “Rituals” series that “Void Rituals” continues.

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

Cal Glover-Wessel remains highly productive and is already releasing a new album as Caldon Glover. His latest work is inspired by contemporary dystopia, expressed through an extremely dark soundscape that oscillates between Cinematic and Dark-Ambient genres. Deep, vibrating tones and drone effects blend with an array of noises and field recordings, creating a powerful visual sensation. Despite his prolific output, this American artist never disappoints. (Rating: 8).

Listen to “Liber Spiralis”:

About Caldon Glover

Caldon Glover is the recording name of American artist Cal Glover-Wessel. He previously released music as Azfarat, a project started around 2013 that grew increasingly atmospheric before he retired it in favor of releasing under his own name, beginning with the release “Peddlers Of Pastel Delights”. In 2022, Cyclic Law released his album “Labyrintia”, built from processed field recordings and heavily altered acoustic instruments including a mountain dulcimer and a reeded Kaval, with contributions from Ryan Wade Ruehlen. Cryo Chamber released his album “Metrophagy” on digital and CD formats.

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: This is one more collaboration between Swedish artists Simon Heath (Atrium Carceri) and Pär Boström (Kammarheit). This new opus comes two years after the “Colossus”-album. The work wants to explore ‘both a barren surface of enormous structures and ancient underground passageways’.

Content: This work invites listeners to dream but also to dive into the dark, imaginary, universe of both artists. Low sound frequencies have been mixed with multiple field recordings and manipulated noises to accentuate the darkness of the production. I noticed a passage with a kind of sacred, mystic,-like chant while other passages are driven by a slow cadence.

+ + + : I missed a climax at the previous work but got it at “Apparatus”. The last part of the work is featuring a few sonic pearls leading the listener into a state of ecstasy. “Stellular Glypts”” is a title with a magic touch featuring mystic chants and intimate darkness. The ominous sphere has something really powerful and even addictive.

– – – : The last part of the album is great but the very last song rather sounds as an anticlimax.

Conclusion: Atrium Carceri and Kammarheit reveal a true chemistry resulting in a fascinating work.

Best songs: “Stellular Glypts”, “Stirring”, “Mechanism”.

Rate: 8.

Artists: www.atriumcarceri.com / www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063521439906 / www.kammarheit.com / www.facebook.com/kammarheitofficial

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

About Atrium Carceri and Kammarheit

Atrium Carceri is the dark-ambient project of Swedish artist Simon Heath, who founded it in 2003 and debuted with the album “Cellblock”. Heath also owns and runs the Cryo Chamber label and released the solo album “Forgotten Gods” in late 2023. Kammarheit is the project of fellow Swedish artist Pär Boström. The two have collaborated repeatedly, including on the 2017 album “Echo” and the “Colossus” album two years before “Apparatus”, which followed 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

There’s that much to say about Simon Heath. The Swedish artist and label-owner (Cryo Chamber) has been involved with numerous music projects and has collaborated with multiple other artists. Atrium Carceri probably remains his most famous and renowned project which he set up in 2003. Twenty years later, by the end of 2023, he released the new album “Forgotten Gods”. I consider the work as one of the best Atrium Carceri-albums in history; mixing Dark-Ambient and Cinematic influences together with a Ritual input. I asked a few questions to Simon about this absolute masterpiece. (Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: “Forgotten Gods” was released by the end of 2023 which means twenty years after Atrium Carceri’s official debut-album “Cellblock”. Can you draw up the balance sheet of this incredible sonic voyage?

Simon: It’s been a while since I produced “Cellblock”; that album serves as a good introduction into the project and was conceptually a bit more to-the-point with its framing. “Forgotten Gods” is so far down the Atrium Carceri rabbit hole that I purposely needed to anchor it to my very first albums both in the themes and in the production style. Hopefully that will be recognizable to a few fans

Q: How much of the ‘young’ Simon Heath do you still recognize in “Forgotten Gods” and how did you see the evolution of the project when it comes to concepts, writing, sound production, recording techniques etc?

Simon: I think conceptually things have drifted a bit away from traditional physical horror and more into cosmic- and philosophical terror, which is to be expected as we move beyond our world and into the real one, truth is terrifying.

Q: “Forgotten Gods” took me by surprise. I got the impression you ‘reinvented’ Atrium Carceri although the sound remains familiar to ‘earlier’ productions and influences. How do you perceive this album and how did it saw the daylight?

Simon: I very much wanted a different more distorted and more cult-like atmosphere on this one to represent the heavy feeling of exploring deep underneath the cities. To feel the weight of the earth and hear the reverberations of ancient stone temples and abandoned sewage halls.

Q: What inspired you in the concept of the album which takes the listener away in a mysterious and ritual exploration of the underworld beneath our cities?

Simon: It’s very much a continuation of previous albums but ties in a bit more conceptual with “Metropolis” and “Cellblock” than to “Codex”.

Q: How did you transpose the ideas of the concept into sounds and songs? What have been the different stages you’d to go through to achieve “Forgotten Gods”? 

Simon: Those that know me know that I produce a lot, but also delete a lot. I sometimes have a subtractive approach to production. On this album I deleted at least half of the tracks that were meant for it, and then started working my way up to the finishing point again. Some of those tracks weren’t bad necessarily, but they didn’t fit into the sound or concepts I was exploring and some of them interrupted the flow from track to track.

Generally this is an approach I like to use, to not emotionally get attached to my own material because it can cloud my judgment of what works or does not. It’s an easy trap to fall into if you put 50 hours into a track, to delete it and feel like you sat there 50 hours in the studio for nothing, but at the end of the day it wasn’t for nothing because deleting that track made for a better album. 

Q: You clearly like working and composing together with other artists -which in a way also became a trademark of Cryo Chamber. Why are these collaborations that precious and important to you? And is there any specific artist you would like to work with?

Simon: I do love collaborating with people, it’s a good time to geek out with like-minded people and also a good learning experience to be able to share techniques and learn from other artists. Well I always love to work with Pär Boström of Kammarheit/Cities Last Broadcast/Aindulmedir/Trollslottet as we have a very good balance where my more sterile- and technical- and his chaotic- and artistic production styles work to bring us out of our comfort zone and create something  neither of us would be able to pull off solo.

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: Third album by British artist Monty Adkins as Skrika. The album brings us once again into a futuristic sci-fi exploration.

Content: The work sounds more Cinematic than its predecessors but especially the ‘astral’ sound dimension the work has been made of is rather noticeable. Astral bleeps are emerging from a dense, and obscure, sound universe.

+ + + : Monty Adkins doesn’t repeat himself and that’s rather a good thing -although his debut-album “Fifth Nature” remains a true masterpiece. This album is more into exploration and even reminds me of early Ambient pioneers like Tangerine Dream. This astral dimension has been transposed into a darker and tormenting dimension carried by low sound resonations. I salute the elaborated composition of this opus. Last but not least the artwork is totally fitting with the theme of the work.

– – – : I was not disappointed by this work but the magic of “Fifth Nature” is far away.

Conclusion: I still would recommend discovering previous albums of Skrika before listening to this new opus.

Best songs: “Solitude Chamber”, “Crynopticon”.

Rate: 7½ .

Artist: www.facebook.com/skrikasoundstudios

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

Listen to “Vyeltyra Vortex”:

About Skrika

Skrika is the cinematic dark-ambient project of British composer Monty Adkins, started in April 2020 during lockdown and shaped over the following year. The name is the Swedish word for “scream”, a nod to Edvard Munch’s painting and the sense of awe and unease Adkins wanted the project to convey. Debut album “Fifth Nature” was released on Cryo Chamber, the label that also issued “Vyeltyra Vortex”, Skrika’s third album, at the end of 2023.

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: British composer Tom Moore remains ultra-prolific. While reviewing this album released by the end of 2023 and dealing with sci/fi themes, the artist is already releasing new material.

Content: This work immediately creates a strong visual appeal which rapidly turns into a nightmarish vision. Ultra-dark sound wave constructions adorned by field recordings are leaving the listener in a stupor. The tracks have been progressively built up to create a final effect of torment.

+ + + : Prolific artist aren’t always able to keep the quality of their work to a higher level. Tom Moore is an exception to the rule. From album to album he deals with different themes while adapting his composition to the concept. He this way don’t repeat himself although the sound remains connected to his proper sound DNA. The album reveals an impressive number of sonic details; subtle noises and arrangements you would discover by using headphones. “Interdimensional Rift” is one of these cuts featuring impressive, low sound vibrations, and getting the listener into an abyssal sci/fi universe.

– – – : A very few of the passages -and especially on “Incorporeal Existence” remain monotone.

Conclusion: A new sonic exploration resulting in a fascinating, obscure, Cinematic odyssey.

Best songs: “Interdimensional Rift”, “When The World Began To Bleed”, “On The Strings Of Divergence”, “Transportal Awakening”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/thedeadmelodies

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

About Dead Melodies

Dead Melodies is the dark ambient and ambient post-rock project of UK-based musician Tom Moore. Moore has recorded electronic music since 2006, first under the project Indigolab, before shifting focus to ambient music in late 2014. He also records as Understated Theory and Cinereous Mire. Dead Melodies debuted on Cryo Chamber with “Legends of the Wood” in 2017, followed by albums including “Murken Hollow”, “Memento”, “Fabled Machines of Old” and “Echolithia”. “The Aberration Of Time And Space” continues that catalogue 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, Ritual.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: By the end of 2023 Simon Heath (involved with numerous projects and Cryo Chamber-owner) struck back with a new album of his main sonic project Atrium Carceri. The album has been released twenty years after Atrium Carceri’s first album ever “Cellblock” (released by the defunct Cold Meat Industry). “Forgotten Gods” invites the listeners to explore the underworld beneath our cities.

Content: Atrium Carceri bring us back to the essence of good-old Dark-Ambient music; obscure sound waves accentuated by deep sound resonations, the unavoidable field recordings and mysterious, Ritual, chants. Simon Heath even added a few passages with slow rhythms.

+ + + : Simon Heath remains a prolific artist but I get the impression he patiently composed this new Atrium Carceri moving back to the early years of the project while injecting, explicit, Ritual elements to the work. It creates a freaky, fascinating, experience. It feels like looking at what’s happening behind a closed and forbidden door. This work has a strong visual appeal which is coming through at multiple tracks. I can’t fully say Heath reinvented Atrium Carceri but he strikes back with an overwhelming and ultra-accomplished production. Hard to say if this work is the ‘best’ one he ever composed under the Atrium Carceri moniker but it definitely belongs to the best ones in time. I also want to say a word about the front cover of the album which is intriguing and totally matching to the sound.

– – – : I don’t see any minus points.

Conclusion: This is a true masterpiece bringing Dark-Ambient and Ritual music together in a freaky experience.

Best songs: “Chamber Of Rebirth”, “Revelation From The Book Of The Flesh”, “Throne Room”, “Ritual For The Abyss”, “Pathway To Nothing”.

Rate: 9.

Artist: www.atriumcarceri.com / www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063521439906

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

About Atrium Carceri

Atrium Carceri is the dark ambient project of Swedish musician Simon Heath, born in Stockholm in 1977. Heath debuted the project in 2003 with the album “Cellblock” on Cold Meat Industry. In 2011 he left Cold Meat Industry and founded the dark ambient label Cryo Chamber, which has since become Atrium Carceri’s home. The project’s discography includes “Seishinbyouin” (2004), “Kapnobatai” (2005), “Ptahil” (2007), “Souyuan” (2008), “Phrenitis” (2009), “Reliquiae” (2012) and “Void” (2012), alongside collaboration albums with Kammarheit and Apocryphos such as “Onyx” (2015) and “Echo” (2017). Heath also records as Sabled Sun. “Forgotten Gods” arrived at the end of 2023, twenty years after “Cellblock”.

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, Ritual.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Serbian project Metatron Omega is back on track unleashing their sixth album thus far. ‘Scorpio V’ deals with an introspective work resulting in seven tracks.

Content: Metatron Omega moves on exploring dark sonic realms constructed from deep, dark, sound waves joined by humming- and other Gregorian chants. The tracks are evolving progressively into an apocalyptic sensation.

+ + + : Metatron Omega is a project I’m supporting from the very first album “Gnosis Dei”. I like the judicious mix of influences resulting in an inhibited atmosphere of Ritual and Dark-Ambient music. “Revelatio” sounds to me as the ultimate track of this work from which emerges a strong, visual, appeal. Another masterpiece is “Apocrypha” which is driven by some metallic sound treatments and here again moving quite progressively till reaching a climax of darkness and angst. The different chants are quite essential to this work. 

– – – :  I can’t say that the title track is the least interesting song from the album but not exactly the one that caught my attention while it also is one of the longest cuts.

Conclusion: Metatron Omega strikes back with a true masterpiece and is for sure one of the best albums in the genre I’ve heard this year.

Best songs: “Revelatio”, “Apocrypha”, “Sozertzanie”, “Epsilhos”.

Rate: 8½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/metatronomega

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

About Metatron Omega

Metatron Omega is a Serbian dark ambient project run by Scorpio V, drawing on ancient mystery schools, esoteric Western tradition, Kabbalah, Gnosticism, esoteric Christianity, and secret societies. Scorpio V debuted the project with the album “Gnosis Dei”, followed by “Sanctum” in 2016, both released on Cryo Chamber. Scorpio V also records as Paleowolf, a side project on the same label.

“Kataphasis”, written, produced and performed by Scorpio V, was released on Cryo Chamber on 10 October 2023, mastered by label head Simon Heath, and is Metatron Omega’s sixth studio 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: Dark-Ambient, Cinematic.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Based in Berlin (Germany) Russian native Sergey Gdanian unleashed the third full length album of Gdanian.

Content: The work takes off with an intro cut announcing an intimate, sonic, travel throughout Cinematic space fields and Dark-Ambient music. The tracks have been meticulously built up resulting in elaborated pieces featuring subtle, little, bleeps, astral atmospheres, menacing deep tones, bewitching rhythms and drones plus passages with speeches. Notice by the way Ruptured World, Atrium Carceri and Dead Melodies each contributed to one cut.

+ + + : I experienced this new work as the most accomplished and elaborated one. The sphere is hostile and mysterious creating a strong visual appeal. But I’ve been mainly impressed by the elaboration of the tracks. The work has been composed by an impressive sonic canvas featuring multiple sonic details you would better listen to by using headphones. The album features several brilliant cuts.

– – – : The intro- and last cut both are the ones which can’t convince me but all stuff in between sounds magic!

Conclusion: Gdanian has accomplished a true tour de force which sounds a bit atypical but absolutely poignant and overwhelming.

Best songs: “Tunnel Builder”, “Underground Complex”, “The Ritual feat. Atrium Carceri”, “Searching For Prey”, “Mechanical Gods feat. Dead Melodies”.

Rate: 8½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/gdanianmusic

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

About Gdanian

Gdanian is the dark ambient project of Berlin-based, Russian-born musician Sergey Gdanian. He debuted on Cryo Chamber with the album “Submersion” in 2021, followed by “Induction” in 2022.

“Mechanical Gods”, written, produced and performed by Sergey Gdanian, was released on Cryo Chamber on 29 August 2023, with art and mastering by label head Simon Heath and text by Alistair Rennie. The album features additional music from Ruptured World on “The Inner Sun”, Atrium Carceri on “The Ritual”, and Dead Melodies on “Mechanical God”, plus additional sound design by Maurizio Bergmann on “Tunnel Builder”.

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

Referring to the events that unfolded globally, 2023 has again been a bloody, terrible year. Music continues to be a true therapy for soothing pain and suffering, though it seems to have a diminishing impact on the ongoing horror. Therefore, I’m once again wrapping up the year with a personal selection of my very own ‘best of’ albums.

Throughout the year, over 700 productions were selected, and 450 reviews were conducted. Some productions were declined because the style of music didn’t fit, others weren’t reviewed for not being ‘good enough’, while a final portion of reviews will be postponed to early 2024. I am immensely grateful to all the labels, bands, and promoters for considering my work, and I look forward to collaborating again in 2024.

I extend my deepest gratitude and thanks to Rich Bova (NEIKKA RPM), who has been reading, correcting, and improving the reviews for many years. Without Rich, these reviews would not exist. I also want to thank Bernard Van Isacker, chief editor of Side-Line Music Magazine, for our ongoing, successful collaboration. Last but not least, I thank my lovely wife, Katja, for giving me the time and freedom to pursue my passion.

However…

Looking ahead to 2024, I’ve been scaling back my activities for a few years and plan to reduce them further. Having started with my first reviews and interviews back in 1991, I feel the end drawing near. My aim is to reach 2025, but nothing is certain. I’ve grown a bit tired and disillusioned with how things are evolving.

That’s why I want to express a big ‘F*** you’ to so-called ‘artists’ and label owners who fail to realize or appreciate the work I do in creating reviews and preparing interviews to spotlight them. Guys, I do this for free and in my free time! The attitude and lack of respect shown by some – fortunately a very few – is very, very sad. But, I’m afraid it reflects the world we live in. Behind a genius artist doesn’t always stand a great person. It’s odd realizing that the ‘biggest’ and long-established artists in this scene are often the most accessible.

Writing reviews remains highly subjective and a source of discussion. Remember, it’s always the reviewer’s perception. I assure you, I always strive to substantiate my reviews as best as possible. A review is subjective but must be honest!

Like every year, I’ve selected the best albums of the year 2023. This ‘TOP 25’ encompasses various styles like EBM, Dark-Electro, IDM, Synth-Pop, Ethereal, Dark-Ambient, Industrial, Ritual, Cinematic, Gothic, Post-Punk, Cold/Dark-Wave, Dark-Techno, and a few related genres. It’s always an exciting yet challenging task.

This ‘TOP 25’ is based on the promotional material I received, excluding compilations, ‘best of’ productions, EPs, and singles. So, here’s my ‘TOP 25’ from 2023, and don’t forget to share it with your friends…

Stéphane Froidcoeur (for Inferno Sound Diaries/Side-Line Reviews)

Top 25 albums of the year 2023

1. CERULEAN VEINS “Black” Cold Transmission Music
2. LIEBKNECHT “Fabrikat” Ant-Zen
3. FRONTIER GUARDS “Colony” Aliens Production
4. SOPOR AETERNUS & THE ENSEMBLE OF SHADOWS “Alone At Sam’s – An Evening With…” Apocalyptic Vision / Trisol
5. WAVESHARD “Waveshard” Corvus Records
6. THE EMPATH “Black Hole” Audiophob
7. VNV NATION “Electric Sun” Metropolis Records
8. EFF DST “Incarnate” Ant-Zen
9. ENZO KREFT “XL” Enzo Kreft
10. DELEYAMAN “The Sudbury Inn” TTO Records
11. GIRLS UNDER GLASS “Backdraft” Dependent Records
12. ALIEN VAMPIRES “Return Me To Hell” Alfa Matrix
13. SUN’S SPECTRUM “The Silence After The Fall” Cold Transmission Music
14. DANIEL MYER “Hingab” Sonic Groove
15. SHROUDS “Shrouds” Hands
16. DIARY OF DREAMS “Melancholin” Accession Records
17. MONO INC “Ravenblack” NoCut / SPV
18. ROME “Gates Of Europe” Trisol
19. OHNE NOMEN “The S-Witch” Cold Transmission Music
20. THE SEVEN WHORES OF THE APOCALYPSE “All Through The Waste” Scanner / Dark Dimensions
21. SPANKTHENUN “The Bunker Tapes Vol.3” SpankTheNun
22. BLACKCARBURNING “Watching Sleepers” COP International
23. GOD BODY DISCONNECT “The Weight Of Regression” Cryo Chamber
24. MILDREDA “Blue-Devilled” Dependent Records
25. PASCAL SAVY “Simulacra” Cyclic Law

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: This is the debut-album of Kristof Bathory -known as the front man of the Industrial band Dawn Of Ashes and is also involved with Void Stasis. The American artist composed eight tracks around a sci-fi theme dealing with ’four androids exiled to a desert prison planet.’

Content: The work is driven by a fusion of Dark-Ambient and Cinematic music. You clearly recognize the Electro background of Kristof Bathory in the arrangements and sequences this work has been made of. But it first of all is a heavy sound production creating an apocalyptic vision through the slow progression of the tracks. Bombastic percussion parts and drones can be heard as well while parts have been accomplished with cool strings. Atrium Carceri and Dimensional Dryft have been both featured on one track.

+ + + : Kristof Bathory brings a different approach of Dark-Ambient and Cinematic music to the wide Cryo Chamber roster. The production is more elaborate and features numerous little details. It’s somewhat atypical but efficient. There’s a visual strength emerging at the surface creating the sensation of music composed for an imaginary Soundtrack. There’re multiple great tracks featured by I especially recommend listening to “Hostile Prisoner Colony” and “The Escape”. Other cool cuts are “The Arrival” for its heavy sound waves and the very Cinematic like “Surviving The Sandstrom” featuring Atrium Carceri. “Repairs For Space Travel” is another brilliant piece of darkness driven by cool sequences and overwhelming drones.

– – – : The album is just missing an absolute master track but this debut solo-work sounds  phenomenal.

Conclusion: Kristof Bathory invites the listeners to visit a tormenting, sonic experience, in darkness. 

Best songs: “Hostile Prisoner Colony”, “The Escape”, “The Arrival”, “Surviving The Sandstrom feat. Atrium Carceri”, “Repairs For Space Travel”.

Rate: 8½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/OfficialKBathory

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

Side-Line reported on “Humanoid Dystopia” when the album was released in October 2023.

Listen to “Humanoid Dystopia”:

About Kristof Bathory

Kristof Bathory is best known as the vocalist of Dawn Of Ashes, and is also involved with Void Stasis. “Humanoid Dystopia” is his first solo album, released in October 2023 on Cryo Chamber. The CD and digital editions come with a 14-page booklet written by Kristof Bathory and Alistair Rennie, and designed by Simon Heath.

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: This is the fourth full length album -and third one released by Cryo Chamber – by Swedish artist Karl Ture Rydby. By the end of last year, he released the opus “Rule From The Dark Mountain” while two years ago he unleashed “Creation Of A Star”.

Content: Planet Supreme holds on the Cinematic approach of previous releases. The music consists of growling sound waves and extended, dark, sound resonations. You’ll also notice guitar playing creating an extra-dimensional sensation. A few more, explicit, evasive passages are emerging at the end of the album.

+ + + : I especially like both debut cuts of the work which are slowly running, creating a delicate sonic sensation. The way this dark reverie has been built up is quite exciting. The guitar emerging on “A Northern Tale” sounds original although resulting in a totally different cut. 

– – – : I already mentioned “A Northern Tale” for its originality but unfortunately the tracks sounds like lost in a totally different atmosphere.

Conclusion: I already heard better works from Planet Supreme which don’t really bring anything new.

Best songs: “Cloud Maker”, “Overgrowth”.

Rate: 6½.

Artist: www.planetsupreme.se / www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063630746830

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

Listen to “Destruction Of A Star”:

About Planet Supreme

Planet Supreme is the cinematic dark ambient project of Swedish artist Karl Ture Rydby. The project released the album “Creation Of A Star”, followed by “Rule From The Dark Mountain”, both preceding “Destruction Of A Star” as Rydby’s fourth full length and third release 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

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

Behind this American solo-project is hiding Bruce Maollem. He was previously involved with Metal projects till he set up God Body Disconnect. The debut album “Dredge Portals” was released in 2016 by Cryo Chamber. Bruce became a prolific artist who this year released “The Weight Of Regression” which is his eighth album so far. The music reflects some of the darkest thoughts and states from his inner life.It’s a dark and tormented sound universe featuring narrating, ghost-like vocals. God Body Disconnect is an unique experience in sound which incited me to get in touch with the artist.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: I think to might affirm God Body Disconnect is a very personal, prolific and intimate sonic project. Do we’ve to see it as a kind of mirror to your inner self and how important is this music project to you?

Bruce: God Body Disconnect is a dear project to me. A mirror reflecting myself is an accurate description. It represents my fears, hopes, pain, emotional states, etc. The project can be viewed as a blueprint to my life.

Q: How do you perceive the evolution of God Body Disconnect from the very first album “Dredge Portals” released in 2016 to your newest opus “The Weight Of Regression”?

Bruce: I don’t think the overall direction of God Body Disconnect has changed all that much since it’s inception. Even on “Dredge Portals” I was writing melancholic music, and doing introspective monologues. I view all my solo-albums to be interconnected. Each album represents a view of myself. If there is an evolution, it is representative of my own emotional growth. “The Weight Of Regression” is just the next chapter in the book so to say.

Q: “The Weight Of Regression”  is based on your experiences in psychiatric hospitals, mental illness, and a chaotic past. That makes this work very personal and I even get the feeling to become ‘voyeur’. Can you share a bit more details about the content and the goal behind the work? And in which way do you consider music and especially God Body Disconnect as a kind of self-therapy? 

Bruce: “The Weight of Regression” is very much connected to the title itself. It explores the dread, and emotional weight of regressing in my mental health. Going back to the psychiatric hospital, or the medicine I depend on not working anymore is a real fear of mine. The album also delves back into my past, and some of the traumas that have brought me to this point. With that being said, there isn’t one definitive theme I can point to for this album, or any of my albums, besides exploring my life and emotions.

God Body Disconnect is most definitely akin to self therapy for me. It’s a place where I can fully express myself, and try to make some sense of how I’m feeling, and why. I don’t always get the answers I seek, but I usually come out of it with a better understanding of who I am.

Q: God Body Disconnect also stands for a deeply, artistic music project. I’m always interested in the way an artist transposes concepts and especially inner-thoughts into music. Can you tell us a bit more about this procedure and your modus operandi to compose a track/album?  

Bruce: I don’t have a set procedure for writing an album. When the inspiration hits, I’ll sit down and begin to compose. I’m never sure what the end result will be. The vocal narrations usually come at the end of the process, when I’ve had some time to process what music I’ve written. They aren’t well thought out or written monologues, but rather pieces of vocal recordings I’ll make at night off the cuff. When something resonates with me, I’ll use the vocals to build a story around the musical compositions. It’s sort of a backwards process, but it’s usually what works for me.

Q: What have been the highlights in the writing and production of the new album? And what have been the biggest challenges and difficulties? 

Bruce: The highlights are always writing music that moves me inside, and the experience of going on a personal journey. The challenges are finding the correct path to begin the journey. I’ll sometimes write a full album, and find that I’ve reached a dead end with no real emotional closure. It’s then I’ll have to muster up the inner strength to start on a different path, hoping that it will reach something meaningful for me. It’s the same process with every album, not just my latest.

Q: I get the idea you must be already working on new ideas but what are the future plans and productions?

Bruce: I’m currently in production of a new God Body Disconnect solo-album. I’m also beginning to work with my good friend Pär Boström on our Underwater Sleep Orchestra-project. There is also a new non-Dark-Ambient project I’ve completed an album for that will soon see the light of day. 

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, Experimental.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: One year after the debut-album “Vestigium”, Simeon Popov strikes back with the second opus of his Crypthios project.

Content: The sound universe of the new work remains driven by an explicit Cinematic sound approach. The work is however evolving into a more Experimental sound approach. The tracks have been built up with impressive, numerous, field recordings. You’ll also notice slow, broken beats getting the work more accessible. The music is moving in between darkness and more evasive parts.

+ + + : The album sounds like an imaginary sonic collage. The project remains atypical to the Cryo Chamber roster although the Cinematic style remains connected to what we’re used to discovering on the Swedish label. The slow rhythm is an interesting aspect of this composition. I also noticed a few poignant cuts like the dreamy, but beautiful last cut “Sunrise” which is a cool apotheosis. Another magic cut is the more Experimental “A Place To Live” which is characterized by multiple sound effects.

– – – : The album is enjoyable but sometimes missing a few extra elements to speak about a true successful work.

Conclusion: Crypthios enlarges Cryo Chamber’s sonic horizon by an album which is definitely apart from the ‘classical’ Cinematic productions.

Best songs: “Sunrise”, “A Place To Live”, “I Saw Them As Their Fins Were Splitting The Sky”.

Rate: 8.

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

About Crypthios

Crypthios is the solo project of Simeon Popov, built around a post-apocalyptic concept and signed to Cryo Chamber. The project debuted on the label with the album “Vestigium” on 19 August 2022, an ambient-electronic work with cinematic passages that Side-Line rated 7½. Popov followed it with the third Crypthios album, “Awakening”, released on 1 October 2024.

“Fading Coast” is the second Crypthios album, arriving roughly one year after “Vestigium” and continuing the project’s cinematic, field-recording-driven approach.

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

Kristof Bathory of Void Stasis and Dawn of Ashes serves us his first solo album on Cryo Chamber with “Humanoid Dystopia”.

Thematically the album is a cinematic dark ambient story revolving around four androids exiled to a desert prison planet.

Here’s an idea what to expect: “Police Report: Captain Bryan Low, Los Angeles Police Department, Rogue Acquisitions Corps, 8 June 2193. The Praxis 8 models were the most advanced of their kind. They had enhanced cerebral and combat skills, expanded knowledge capabilities, and a capacity to develop as emotional beings that was equal to their human creators. The scientific minds of the Tyrone Syndicate had done well to make them more than human. And, to this extent, the Praxis 8 models were too good to be slaves. Four of the Praxis 8 models took matters into their own hands and formed a breakaway faction. They rebelled against their owners. They refused to obey. They absconded, taking refuge in the shadowed nooks of the urban sprawl.”

The CD and digital version come with a 14 page booklet written by Kristof Bathory and Alistair Rennie, and designed by Simon Heath.

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: Cinematic, Dark-Ambient.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Bruce Moallem unleashed the eighth album of his God Body Disconnect project this year. It remains a very personal music odyssey; kind of sonic canvas to express and exorcize some of his deepest thoughts. The new work is ‘based on his experiences in psychiatric hospitals, mental illness, and a chaotic past, Bruce serves us a harrowing story dealing with traumas, regrets, and gnawing thoughts of revenge.’

Content: God Body Disconnect doesn’t innovate but moves on there where previous work stopped. The music serves as poignant Cinematic exposure where you get the feeling of watching a movie/documentary without images. It sounds dark and ghost-like because of the narrating vocal parts which became a trademark of the artist. Long and abyssal compositions are inviting the listener to face the artist’s inner demons and traumatic experiences when he was hospitalized in psychiatry. The album also features more evasive -although still dark, Ambient parts featuring guitar play and slow rhythms.

+ + + : Music composition remains maybe the best cure to exorcize personal experiences. The album reflects an expressive atmosphere which I think is perfectly fitting to the traumatic theme of the work. It feels uncomfortable and even tormented. You in a way can imagine the fright and disorientation of Moallem. The long duration tracks have been built up to a crescendo to reach a final stage of angst. The visual appeal of the work is omnipresent while accentuated by the spooky, narrating, vocals. “Remnants Of A Soldier” is a brilliant exposure of the work and its theme. I also enjoyed the dark, dreamy, parts played with guitar and driven by a slow cadence.

– – – : The album stands for expression and to feel its density you definitely have to listen to the work in the right circumstances. It’s not the most classical Cinematic sound experience so it might take time to get into the work of this project.

Conclusion: This work sounds as a sonic testimony hiding an inner pain the listener can’t feel but we can only enjoy the beauty of this artistic juxtaposition.

Best songs: “Remnants Of A Soldier”, “Sometimes It Feels Like Hope”, “Dosed And Dreaming”, “Shackled By You”.

Rate: 8½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/godbodydisconnect

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

About God Body Disconnect

God Body Disconnect is the solo dark-ambient and cinematic project of Bruce Moallem, releasing on Cryo Chamber since 2016. Earlier albums include “Sleeper’s Fate” in 2017. Side-Line spoke with Moallem in a Click Interview about the project. “The Weight Of Regression” is his eighth solo album, drawing on his experiences in psychiatric hospitals across seven tracks.

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, Ritual.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: This collaborative work features Ukrainian Sasha Puzan aka ProtoU and Swedish Stefan Sandberg aka Oljus. ProtoU is a familiar project from the Cryo chamber roster while Oljus released a few self-released works and the Cryo Chamber collective work “Tomb Of Ordeals” (2019). This work has been introduced as inspired by Vikings. Mattia Giovanni Accinni (Chaigidel) and Thomas Langewehr (Ager Sonus) contributed as guest artists.

Content: The debut track leads the listener throughout a ghost-like sphere featuring whispering voices. Quite progressively we discover heavy, bombastic, and uplifting drones creating a Ritual effect. Some passages are more inhibited but always haunting. The last part of the album has been accentuated by mysterious sounds. A very specific aspect of the work is that there are 7 songs each featuring a duration of 7 minutes.

+ + + : “Mørketsland” moves a step further than the ‘classical’ Cryo Chamber production devoted to Cinematic Music. This work sounds as the right offspring between Dark-Ambient, Cinematic, Ritual and even Drone. The production sounds ultra dark and ghost-like. I even dare to say it’s probably one of the darkest productions ever released by the Swedish label. “A Howling Gale” is a brilliant exposure. The bombastic effect of drones even creates a transcendental experience. The last part of the work sounds more mysterious because of the addition of flute sounds, strings, throat singing ao. Both artists are simply complementary while the guest artist inject a true bonus.

– – – : I don’t have true minus points but it feels like this duo can even do better.

Conclusion: “Mørketsland” is a great piece of music for dark souls.

Best songs: “A Howling Gale”, “Wall Of Thorns feat. Ager Sonus”, “Spirit Of The Water”, “The Summoning”, “Hall Of Serpents feat. Chaigidel.

Rate: 8½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/protoudrone / www.facebook.com/oljusbilder

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

About ProtoU & Oljus

ProtoU is the dark ambient project of Ukrainian artist Sasha Puzan, a regular contributor to the Cryo Chamber roster. Oljus is the project of Swedish artist Stefan Sandberg, who has issued a number of self-released works and took part in the Cryo Chamber collective album “Tomb Of Ordeals” in 2019. “Morketsland” is their collaborative album for Cryo Chamber, introduced as inspired by Viking themes, with guest contributions from Chaigidel and Ager Sonus.

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: Aside from collaborative albums “The People’s Temple” is the sixth full length by Council Of Nine. After “Exil Earth” (2018) and “Davidian” (2019) this new piece is the third work driven by the ‘dark side of mass followings and cults”. Maximillan Olivier has achieved six tracks for this work.

Content: The sound approach of the artist remains driven by darkness creating a strong visual appeal that brings the listener into turmoil. Obscure sound waves are progressively taking over while multiple, sometimes undefinable noises are noticeable elements in the background. Both last cuts have a rather abyssal effect featuring noticeable field recordings.

+ + + : There’s a heavy visual appeal emerging from the debut part of the work. You really get the sensation of getting lost in an unknown, dark depth. The artist builds up his tracks patiently. There’s a constant feeling of danger; an uncomfortable feeling created by the simple power of low, buzzing, soundwaves.

– – – : Both last cuts reveal a somewhat different approach, the sphere becoming evasive although still dark and oppressed. I however miss a true climax at this opus.

Conclusion: Council Of Nine moves on creating tormenting stuff but I’ve to say I personally prefer the previous albums in this series.

Best songs: “Peoples Temple”, “909”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100043332716962

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

About Council Of Nine

Council Of Nine is the dark ambient project of Maximillian Olivier, based in California, USA. In a Side-Line “Click Interview” conducted by Inferno Sound Diaries, Olivier said he had released five solo albums since 2014 by that point, calling the project “my main focus and outlet for my creativity.” Prior albums include “Exit Earth” and “Davidian” (2019), both released on the Swedish label Cryo Chamber and dealing with mass followings and cults, a theme “The People’s Temple” continues as the third installment in that series.

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: After the successful album “The Night And Other Sunken Dreams” Pär Boström (Cities Last Broadcast, Kammarheit, Bonini Bulga ao) and Bruce Moallem (God Body Disconnect) renewed their collaborative work. “Insomnolance” is meant for ‘the drifters between sleep and wake. Music calling from blurry forests of the mind.’

Content: The work sounds more Cinematic and less into explicit Electronics than the previous work. It however remains a Cinematic exploration of dark sonic realms and imaginary, abyssal, depths. When you get the feeling it all becomes relaxing you immediately get aware of an ominous, invisible, danger. Dark and misty atmospheres have been accomplished with subtle sound treatments.

+ + + : Underwater Sleep Orchestra strikes back with a different kind of album although holding on the Cinematic style. This one sounds a little darker and the ghost-like atmosphere they injected has a strong visual appeal. It has something menacing and this uncomfortable sensation only accentuates the fantasy of the listener. That’s what I should call great Cinematic/Ambient music. Both debut tracks are the most noticeable cuts; darkness created by low, resonating sounds mixed with field recordings and human growls.

– – – : When you’ve heard both debut cuts you’ve already heart the best of this album. So no real climax after a brilliant, dark, beginning.

Conclusion: Underwater Sleep Orchestra has never sounded like an occasional collaboration but it feels as a true, talented, project.

Best songs: “Into The Woods (Far, Far Away)”, “Counting Poisoned Sheep”, “Mirage”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/underwatersleeporchestra

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

About Underwater Sleep Orchestra

Underwater Sleep Orchestra is an international dark ambient collaboration between Swedish musician Pär Boström, also known for Cities Last Broadcast, Kammarheit and Bonini Bulga, and Bruce Moallem, who records as God Body Disconnect. The pair released the album “The Night And Other Sunken Dreams” on Cryo Chamber before reuniting for “Insomnolance”, again issued on Cryo Chamber, moving toward a more cinematic and less overtly electronic sound.

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: After the last year and astonishing “Labyrintia”-album released by Cyclic Law, American artist  Cal Glover-Wessel strikes back with a new work this time released by Cryo Chamber. The idea behind this work deals with ‘dark ritualistic explorations of pre-Roman Celtic tribes lost in time.’

Content: The work reveals a different approach -although features related influences, than on “Labyrintia”. Drones, low sound treatments, resonating kicks and multiple field recordings are crossing each other in a dark and overwhelming production. Caldon Glover again injects vocals -and even throat singing, on different passages.

Listen to “Tiodhlacadh”:

+ + + : The main power from this work emerges from the tremendous, dark, atmospheres, which are accentuated by low sound treatments. It creates a monstrous effect which is perfectly matching with this kind of work. “Tiodhlacadh” is an impressive, last cut but I also have to mention “Coilltean” and “Fògradh” for the strong, visual appeal. I personally prefer the previous album of Caldon Glover but I like the fact this artist isn’t repeating himself.

– – – : It’s not an easy thing striking back with a new masterpiece after the genius “Labyrintia”-opus. I was held more in the grip of the previous work although “Ùir” has it part of magic as well.

Conclusion: This work enlarges the sonic horizon of Cryo Chamber revealing a perfect twist between Dark-Ambient and Cinematic music.

Best songs: “Tiodhlacadh”, “Coilltean”, “Fògradh”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/cal.gloverwessel

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

About Caldon Glover

Caldon Glover is the solo project of American artist Cal Glover-Wessel, who previously recorded as Azfarat before retiring that name in favor of releasing music under his own name for more creative freedom. His debut Caldon Glover release was “Peddlers Of Pastel Delights”, followed by the 2022 album “Labyrintia” on Cyclic Law, built from processed acoustic instruments and field recordings. “Ùir” follows on Cryo Chamber, exploring dark ritualistic themes tied to pre-Roman Celtic tribes.

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: Anile Dahl strikes back with the ninth full length album of his sonic moniker Dahlia’s Tear.

Content: From the very first notes the artist invites us to join him on a mysterious, dreamy, sound trip. The work has been accomplished with numerous field recordings on top of delicate sound treatments. The dark mood recovers the work with a feeling of desolation.

+ + + : The last song entitled “Solitude” perfectly symbolizes by its title what the music is all about. This is a work with a very strong visual strength created by the perfect mix of field recordings, dark strings and delicate sound treatments -like the piano-like part running through “Infinite Dreamer”. The songs have been progressively built up creating an elevating effect which is mainly coming through during the final part of the album.

– – – : The work is maybe missing an absolute master track to consider the work as ‘outstanding’.

Conclusion: Dahlia’s Tear has already accomplished albums with great concepts and fascinating music but this one appears to be the magnum opus.

Best Songs: “Infinite Dreamer”, “Ravendark”, “Solitude”, “Iridescent Path”, “The Summon”.

Rate: 8½.

Artist: www.dahliastearband / www.facebook.com/dahliastear

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

Listen to “Tales From A Feeble Dream” below:

About Dahlia’s Tear

Dahlia’s Tear is the solo Dark Ambient project of Anile Dahl, formed in Stockholm, Sweden. The project mixes drone-based soundscapes with spatial, surreal moods and occasional industrial and experimental touches, released through Cryo Chamber.

Earlier full-lengths include “Through The Nightfall Grandeur” in 2018, “Across The Shifting Abyss” and “Descendants Of The Moon” in 2020, and “Adrift On The Edge Of Infinity” in 2022. “Tales From A Feeble Dream”, reviewed here, is Dahl’s ninth full-length album under the Dahlia’s Tear name.

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: Belarus artist Pavel Mal(yshkin) is probably more renown for his Ugasanie project but is now striking back with a new work of Silent Universe. This is the first new album in six years. The title indicates what it’s all about; referring to immensity of universe. 

Content: You clearly and rapidly recognize the main source of inspiration which has been transposed into explicit cosmos atmospheres. Dark humming sound waves are opening an imaginary gate to a dark cosmos. The work is switching in between floating- and anguishing passages. 

+ + + : I mainly like the visual strength of the production which has been accomplished by delicate sound treatments. I like both debut cuts  and “Dead Astronaut” for their darker side but there’s also worth listening to the more relaxing “A Thousand Light Years Of Emptiness”. 

– – – : It took me some time and a few new listening to get into “Immensity” which is however missing an total climax. 

Conclusion: This astral sonic journey is certainly pleasant although setting the world of Cinematic music alight. 

Best songs: “Dead Astronaut”, “The Mission”, “Astrosphere”, “A Thousand Light Years Of Emptiness”. 

Rate: 7.

Artist: www.facebook.com/silentuniverse.by 

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

Listen to “Immensity” below:

About Silent Universe

Silent Universe is a project of Belarusian artist Pavel Malyshkin, who is better known for Ugasanie, formed in autumn 2010. For Ugasanie, Malyshkin uses synthesizers, field recordings, and live instruments including khomus (jaw harp), ocarina, zhaleyka, and guitar, drawing on time spent in the Arctic Circle on the Yamal Peninsula. Side-Line has previously covered Ugasanie releases including “Border of Worlds” on Cryo Chamber.

“Immensity” is Silent Universe’s first new album in six years, also released via Cryo Chamber, and continues the cosmos-themed direction of the project.

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: Soundtrack, Cinematic.

Format: Digital, 2CD.

Background/Info: Slovakian Erik Osvald is back with a very special and conceptual work. This album is an original Soundtrack which he wrote for a sci/fi short film.

Content: The album features 23 cuts which are easily recognizable as Soundtrack compositions. The work is however switching from time to time into darker sonic fields. You’ll also notice a few passages driven by slow rhythms. There are very short cuts featured but also more extended compositions.

+ + + : The work is clearly revealing a few noticeable cuts with a strong visual appeal. This work sounds pretty different from previous Keosz albums but that’s because of the concept and I’ve to admit “Neven OST” really sounds as a Soundtrack; no doubt about it. There are multiple cool cuts featured but I especially want to mention “Parents” which also is one of the darkest tracks.

– – – : When listening to this kinds of conceptual release you definitely have to watch the film it has been composed for to get a better perception of the global project.

Conclusion: Keosz has probably accomplished one of its most significant works -Soundtracks remain the ultimate production for musicians, although as a listener it’s not exactly the album I would recommend to discover first.

Best songs: “Parents”, “Welcome To The Real World”, “Digital Rage”, “End Is Near”.

Rate: 7.

Artist: www.facebook.com/KeOSzMusic

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

About Keosz

Keosz is the dark ambient/drone project of Slovakia-based musician Erik Osvald. The project’s debut album, “Be Left to Oneself”, was the first release signed to the Cryo Chamber label, in 2016. “Neven OST” is an original soundtrack Osvald wrote for a science-fiction short film, marking a departure from Keosz’s earlier full-length productions.

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.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Alistair Rennie strikes back with the sixth album of his sonic alter-ego Ruptured World. It also is the fourth work in the “Planetary”-concept series, this time entering ‘a  domain of ultimate strangeness—an alien eco-system of forested peaks and escarpments that conceal a raft of secrets in the hidden valleys that lie among them.’

Content: Ruptured World brings a mix of Cinematic atmospheres and storytelling. It sounds pretty astral with a weird, sci/fi-inspired theme as the main source of inspiration. Sound-wise there are passages reminding me a bit of early Electro-Ambient pioneers.

+ + + : This is a truly a unique work for its storytelling aspect which is however never dominant. That creates an intriguing sensation accentuated by the retro-Ambient space atmospheres of the music. There’re also noticeable subtle bleeps and wafting strings. The conceptual theme of the work is permanently coming through.

– – – : A cool work by this underrated British artist which is however not the most accessible one.

Conclusion: “Xenoplanetary” is a strange travel through unknown, imaginary, spaces. You get the sensation of watching a movie without images…

Best songs: “The Telekinetic Amassment Of Being”, “Emergency Thought – Cast Distance Messaging”, “The Magnitude Of Luminiscence”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.rupturedworld.com / www.facebook.com/RupturedWorld

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

About Ruptured World

Ruptured World is the dark ambient solo project of British writer Alistair Rennie, released through the Cryo Chamber label run by Simon Heath. The project debuted with the album “Exoplanetary” in August 2018, followed by “Archeoplanetary” (2019), “Interplanetary” (2020) and “Shore Rituals” (2021), part of a wider body of work combining dark ambient composition with Rennie’s own cosmic-horror-inspired writing.

“Xenoplanetary,” reviewed here, is the fourth album in Ruptured World’s “Planetary” series, released in January 2023. Rennie followed it with “Void Rituals” in February 2024.

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: Karl Ture Rydby has accomplished his fourth full length album to date under the Planet Supreme moniker. It’s the second production released by Cryo Chamber.

Content: Planet Supreme moves on creating deeply, Ambient sound atmospheres. The work features different, crispy, little noises and other field recording impressions while carried by retro-like strings. There’s an interesting contrast between relaxing passages and darker, mysterious, parts.

+ + + : The main strength of the album is for sure its deeply, Ambient, sensation. It’s quite diversified and even a bit schizophrenic switching from deeply, relaxing, moments into darker, menacing, parts. “Enter Lucid Field” is one of these dark exposures and definitely my favorite one for reaching a climax.

– – – : I’m less convinced by the ‘classical’ Ambient side of the work although I’m sure this is maybe what will appeal for a wider audience.

Conclusion: This work gives me the vision of a beautiful and graceful feather driven by a bleak wind.

Best songs: “Enter Lucid Fields”, “A Northern Blaze”, “Shuttle”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.planetsupreme.se / www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063630746830

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

About Planet Supreme

Planet Supreme is the dark ambient project of Swedish sound designer Karl Ture Rydby, an active composer at Elektronmusikstudion (EMS) in Stockholm. The project debuted with the self-titled album “Planet Supreme” in 2019, followed by the double album “Order of the Star in the East / Holy Mountain” in 2020 and “Creation of a Star” in 2021. “Rule From the Dark Mountain”, the project’s fourth full-length and its second release on Cryo Chamber, followed in 2022. Planet Supreme has since released “Destruction of a Star” in 2023 and “Descending Dark Star” in 2025.

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.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Dronny Darko (Ukraine) and Ugasanie (Belarus) both are artists who really like to collaborate with other artists. This album resulted from their common efforts and is their second work together after “Arctic Gates”. They again explore an imaginary, hidden, world deep beneath the ice.

Content: The work is an invitation to a fictive voyage throughout the abyssal depths. You’ll notice multiple aquatic field recordings accentuating the concept. Sound-wise the tracks are moving in between pure reverie and darker, desolate passages creating a feeling of solitude.

+ + + : There’s an interesting mic of atmospheres running through the work; now dreamy and relaxing and then tormented and even disturbing. I like this darker side which is reaching its apotheosis at “Presence” which is by far the most ‘visual’ cut from the album. The album has been accomplished with delicate sound treatments.

– – – : I regret there are no more passages like “Presence”.

Conclusion: Both artists are pretty complementary and have composed a cool, intimate, ghost-like experience in sound.

Best songs: “Presence”, “Consequences”.

Rate: 8.

Artists: www.facebook.com/dronnydarko / www.facebook.com/uga5anie

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

About Dronny Darko and Ugasanie

Dronny Darko is a dark ambient project from Ukraine, releasing on the Cryo Chamber label. The project’s second album, “Neuroplasticity”, was released in January 2016, followed by the third album, “Spira Igneus”, in October 2016, and “Abduction” in 2017.

Ugasanie is a dark ambient project from Belarus, also signed to Cryo Chamber. Its third album, “Eye of Tunguska”, appeared in 2015, followed by “Border of Worlds” in December 2016. Both artists have contributed to Cryo Chamber label compilations, including “Cthulhu”, “Azathoth”, and “Nyarlathotep”.

Dronny Darko and Ugasanie first collaborated on the album “Arctic Gates”, followed by their second joint work, “Dark Source Of The North”, reviewed above.

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: This is the second Skrika album which is the successor to magistral “Fifth Nature” released in 2021. Monty Adkins deals with an imaginary concept about the distant planet Soludenia where surreal things happen.

Content: The album takes off in a very Cinematic way and progressively evolves into mysterious, dark atmospheric pieces mixing Dark-Ambient and Mystic music driven by elevating female chants. The work is pretty diversified; each track being a new sonic adventure although some influences are coming back. There’s another cut with enigmatic chants but also tracks accomplished with Industrial sound treatments, field recordings and extended string parts creating a feeling of drama.

+ + + : The debut album revealed impressive passages with chants and the best tracks at “Soludenia” are the ones with mysterious, Ritual/Esoteric-like chants. It creates an uplifting effect which together with dark sounds and blasting treatments has something divine. There also is a very strong visual strength emerging from these cuts. There’s also something to say about other passages leading the listener into an endless ocean of despair.

– – – : The only regret I have is that this work remains one or two levels under “Fifth Nature”.It doesn’t take away the fact that it’s really a great work.

Conclusion: It’s never an easy job to release a new album after a masterpiece. This work however has a lot to offer and mysteries to resolve.

Best songs: “Pantropic Adaptation”, “Cerria’s Lament”, “Ice Fields Of The Eidola”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/skrikasoundstudios

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

About Skrika

Skrika is the dark ambient project of British composer Monty Adkins, started in April 2020. The name comes from the Swedish word for “scream”, referencing Edvard Munch’s painting “The Scream” and the stark visual art of Dariusz Zawadzki and Zdzisław Beksiński, which shaped the project’s sound design.

The debut album, “Fifth Nature”, was released on Cryo Chamber in 2021 as the first in a planned album series set in a distant future, featuring vocals recorded with Peyee Chen and Girilal Baars. “Soludenia”, reviewed above, is the second album in the series.

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: Tom Moore has released an impressive number of productions since 2016. Early last year, he released “Memento” followed at the end of the year by “Murken Hollow”. The work is a conceptual one about several, strange, murders that happened in a city over one month.

Content: The concept is fully appropriated for the music of the British artist. He built up a dark, obscure and inferno-like atmosphere with electronics, guitar playing, percussion parts and also invited a guest musician to play saxophone parts and another one to bring ghost-like vocals.

+ + + : The use of guitar, bass guitar and especially the saxophone inject an authentic sensation to the work. The dark atmospheric side has something to prosper and yet you can feel danger as an invisible presence right behind you. “Murken Hollow” sounds like a sonic thriller which is clear because of its strong visual appeal. The album sounds like a true Soundtrack and is according to me, one of the best production of Dead Melodies.

– – – : Because of the theme I sometimes wanted this album even darker and more disturbing instead of relaxing.

Conclusion: Dead Melodies invites us to explore unexplained, imaginary, murders; a morbid atmosphere that has been created by the strength of music.

Best songs: “Empty Reflection”, “One Way Ticket”, “Chasing Shadows – Part 1”, “When The Night Calls”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/thedeadmelodies

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

About Dead Melodies

Dead Melodies is the dark ambient project of UK artist Tom Moore, active in music since 2006. Moore started out with the acoustic-guitar-based project Indigolab, which produced ten albums and EPs plus numerous collaborations. He turned to ambient music in late 2014, releasing three EPs and the albums “Parallel Existence” and “Subtle Imperfections” (both 2016) through Norwegian net label Sparkwood Records, which also hosts his ambient post-rock side project Understated Theory. Dead Melodies debuted on Cryo Chamber in 2017 with “Legends of the Wood”, and Moore has continued releasing on the label since, including “Memento” and now “Murken Hollow”.

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: Dimitris Valasopoulos is an Athens (Greece) based artist who after self-released productions joined the Cryo Chamber roster to unleash his official debut album.

Content: The work takes off a Dark-Ambient way. Low, vibrating and buzzing soundwaves come out the speakers. Overwhelming dark atmospheres and haunting passages have been reinforced by field recordings. One of these cuts is featuring Cities Last Broadcast. The last part of the work moves into a more explicit cinematic style.

+ + + : The debut part of the work is a tremendous composition. The obscure atmosphere together with field recordings create an imaginary horrorscape, the album featuring a strong visual appeal. The opening piece “What Was Once Called Home” and “Opaline Apparitions” both are masterpieces. The tracks have been meticulously composed while the magic of modular synths come through.

– – – : I was less convinced by the second part of the work -which sounds cool, but definitely below the impressive debut.

Conclusion: Fractalyst is more than a promising newcomer to Cryo Chamber but simply one of the best productions from the label this year.

Best songs: “What Was Once Called Home”, “Opaline Apparitions”, “In The Dead Of Night – Cities Last Broadcast”.

Rate: 8½. 

Artist: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100023966089287

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

About Fractalyst

Fractalyst is the recording name of Dimitris Valasopoulos, a dark-ambient artist based in Athens, Greece. After a series of self-released productions, he signed to Cryo Chamber for his official debut album, “Watchtower”, released on October 4, 2022. The album was written, produced, and performed by Valasopoulos, with one track co-written and performed together with Pär Boström of Cities Last Broadcast. Artwork and mastering were handled by Simon Heath, the Cryo Chamber label founder also known for his Atrium Carceri project.

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: The new album by American Randal Collier-Ford seems to be a reflective work. “Thaumaturgy” stands ‘as a monument of thought, a reflection of the many years of trembling frequencies and world’s created; an ode to what once was.’ 

Content: The sound universe of this artist remains characterized by dark and ambiguous sound sculptures. Low soundwaves with extra, boiling, sound effects are leading the listener into a chilling experience. Field recordings and passages with mystic chants are accentuating the mystery hanging over the work. The sphere becomes truly disturbing when a kind of simple tune joins in.

+ + + : The album creates a disturbing sensation. It comes to tickle your imagination, rapidly leading the listener to face his darkest, inner-demons. It’s frightening and yet this is exactly what we want to experience when listening to this kind of music. The final part of the album had a great impact on me, especially the few tracks with simple tunes creating an imaginary, dark, rite.

– – – : Probably one of the best productions from this artist and I’m still convinced it can be even more poignant like I’m missing an absolute apotheosis to this great work.

Conclusion: If this album is a reflection about the past years it clearly looks like it was only dark, desperate and tormenting!

Best songs: “Outbound Transmission”, “Putredinis Illusiones”, “Deluge”, “The Ninth Plague Of Exodus”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/randalcollierford

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

About Randal Collier-Ford

Randal Collier-Ford is an Oregon-based dark ambient artist active in the genre since mid-2012, working across traditional drone, gothic dark ambient, harsh noise wall, and cinematic dark ambient. His debut album, “The Architects”, was released on Cryo Chamber in February 2015, followed the same year by the second album, “Remnants”. “Thaumaturgy”, released on Cryo Chamber on October 18, 2022, was written, produced and performed by Collier-Ford, with artwork by label founder Simon Heath.

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

(By Stéphane Froidcoeur for Inferno Sound Diaries/Side-Line Reviews) 2022 has been once again a sad, bloody and terrible year. Living in a mad world music once more remains a true therapy to appease pain and frustration. Concerts and festivals came back; the perfect place to meet friends again. Artists remain prolific releasing great studio work. So I’m once more closing the year by a personal selection of my very own ‘best of’-albums of the year.

Over 700 productions have been selected while 540  reviews have been made all over the year. Some productions have been refused because the style of music didn’t fit, while other reviews will be postponed to 2023. I’m really grateful to all labels, bands and promoters considering my work and efforts and I hope you’ll go on providing me new promos next year.

I one again have to express my deepest gratitude to Rich Bova (NEIKKA RPM) who for years and years now is reading, correcting and improving my reviews. Without Rich there would be no reviews. I also want to thank Bernard Van Isacker – chief redactor Side-Line Music Magazine – for the successful collaboration. 

Up now to 2023. I already reduced my activities this year and will move on reducing it in 2023. I made my first reviews and interviews back in 1991 (!). Some of the readers and artists weren’t even born when I wrote my first review for Side-Line. So after more than 30 years non-stop activities I think it’s not that strange to move on slowly.

I also want to express a big ‘F*** you’ to so-called ‘artists’ and label owners who don’t realise and appreciate the work I’m doing by making reviews and preparing interviews to get them in the spotlights. The attitude and less of respect shown by those people – luckily a very few number – is just unacceptable… but I’m afraid it reflects the world we’re living in… Behind a genius artist is not always hiding a great person… It’s quite strange to realise the ’biggest’- and long-time established artists from this scene often are the most accessible ones.

Writing reviews remains very ‘subjective’ and always a source of discussion, but keep in mind it will be always the perception of the reviewer. I can assure you I’m always trying to argue my reviews the best as possible. A review will be never objective, but has to be honest!

Like every year I’ve made a selection from the best albums of the year. This ‘TOP 25’ covers different styles like EBM, Dark-Electro, IDM, Synth-Pop, Ethereal, Dark-Ambient, Industrial, Cinematographic, Gothic, Post-Punk, Cold/Dark-Wave, Dark-Techno and a few related genres. It remains an exciting but tough exercise.

This ‘TOP 25’ is taken from the promotional material I got while compilations, ‘best of’-productions, EP’s and singles were not considered.

So, here’s my ‘TOP 25’ from 2022 and don’t forget to share it with your friends….

Top 25 albums 2022

1. IVARDENSPHERE: “Ragemaker” – Metropolis Records
2. DIE ROBO SAPIENS : “Robo Sapien Race” – Alfa Matrix
3. EBE04 : “Inrush – Give/Take
4. CALDON GLOVER: “Labyrintia” – Cyclic Law
5. ROME: “Hegemonikon” – Trisol
6. NEIKKA RPM: “Scorpio In The Hourglass – Alfa Matrix
7. VANGUARD: “Spectrum” – Infacted Recordings
8. SUICIDE COMMANDO: “Goddestructor” – Out Of Line
9. ELM: “Penetrator” – Alfa Matrix
10. OBERER TOTPUNKT: “Totentanz” – Danse Macabre Records
11. THE BIRTHDAY MASSACRE: “Fascination” – Metropolis Records
12. BLACKBOOK: “Confessions Of The Innocent” – DarkTunes Music Group
13. BEYOND THE GHOST: “Sundown” – Cryo Chamber
14. THEN COMES SILENCE: “Hunger” – Metropolis Records
15. PRINCIPE VALLIENTE: “Barricades” – Metropolis Records
16. DAWN OF ASHES: “Scars Of The Broken” – Artoffact Records
17. MONSTERGOD: “Ozymandias” – Space Race Records
18. STATIQBLOOM: “Threat” – Sonic Groove Records
19. AXIOME: “Field Guide To Alien Planets And Other Disco Balls – Audiophob
20. REICHSFEIND: “Darken” – Alfa Matrix
21. FIRST AID 4 SOULS: “I Am The Night” – Alfa Matrix
22. ORDO ROSARIUS EQUILIBRIO: “Nihilist Notes And The Perputual Quest 4 Meaning In Nothing” – Out Of Line
23. KILL SHELTER: “Asylum” – Manic Depression Records / Metropolis Records
24. JAGATH: “Svapna” – Cold Spring Records
25. KILL YOUR BOYFRIEND: “Voodoo” – Shyrec

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, Experimental, IDM.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: This new album by LPF12 comes to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of Sascha Lemon’s sonic brainchild. He once started in the 90s dealing a harsh Electro-Industrial sound and evolved throughout the years towards IDM while the past few years he’s been more exploring Cinematic fields.This is a double album featuring seven tracks.

Content: Sascha Lemon explores a bit further the Cinematic path elaborating his tracks with extra sounds. The atmosphere is prosperous and evasive but progressively becoming darker and haunting. The tracks are sophisticated. The tracks are extended and sometimes moving from one style into the other; from cinematic to IDM. The last track goes over the 40 minutes this way becoming a soundtrack on its own.

+ + +  : It’s fascinating to see how this artist has evolved over the years. While I still have a preference for his IDM works I’ve to admit he now excels in the Cinematic genre. Some parts of the album will surely appeal to fans of Cryo Chamber. The final tracks of the album reveal the impressive skills of the artist. I here salute the subtle and refined sound treatments while the piano parts only accentuate the Cinematic genre.

– – –  : I don’t have anything against extended tracks but some passages are definitely too long.

Conclusion: Thirty years of commitment and you clearly can hear this artist still has a lot to reveal but one thing is for sure now; LPF12 is ready to produce a real Soundtrack.

Best songs: “The Warning Pt.2”, “The Warning Pt.1”, “The Warning Pt.3”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.lpf12.de / www.facebook.com/LPF12SL

About LPF12

LPF12 is the solo project of German artist Sascha Lemon. He began the project in the 1990s with a harsh electro-industrial sound and shifted over the years toward IDM, before moving in recent releases toward cinematic, soundtrack-oriented material. “Contours Of Stillness” is a double album of seven tracks released to mark the project’s thirtieth anniversary.

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.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Bruce Moallem has unleashed his seventh studio album under the God Body Disconnect moniker. All works have been released by Cryo Chamber.

Content: “Spiral Of Grief” moves on there where the previous album “The Dormancy” (2021) stopped. An intimate sonic voyage throughout sad, imaginary, paths. Long sound waves have been mixed with dark string parts, field recordings and guitar-like sounds. And God Body Disconnect again injected ghost-like spoken vocals accentuating the sadness -and madness, of the work.

+ + + : God Body Disconnect clearly has a very own approach, kind of sound DNA which is mainly resulting from the cavernous, frightening, whispering, vocals and the obscurity of the sound which remains however delicate for its arrangements. It sounds as a very intimate and personal travel throughout the mind of Moallem.

– – – : I would have liked to hear more vocals which are that particular and accentuating the visual strength of this album.

Conclusion: It all feels a bit like God Body Disconnect wants to face ourselves with our deepest and most hidden demons and frights; a sonic path towards afterlife…

Best songs: “Lost Within The Spiral Of Grief”, “At The Edge Of The Cosmic Sea”, “The Furthest From God”, “Please Forgive And Release Me”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/godbodydisconnect

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

About God Body Disconnect

God Body Disconnect is the solo dark ambient project of American musician Bruce Moallem, who worked in metal projects before founding it. The project debuted with “Dredge Portals” in 2016 on Cryo Chamber, the label run by Simon Heath. It was followed by “Sleeper’s Fate” in 2017, “The Mist Between Mirrors” in 2019, and “The Dormancy” in 2021.

Moallem has described God Body Disconnect as a mirror reflecting his own fears, hopes, pain, and emotional states, telling Inferno Sound Diaries in a 2023 interview that “the project can be viewed as a blueprint to my life.” The vocal narrations on his albums are typically recorded off the cuff at night, then built into the surrounding compositions afterward. “Spiral Of Grief” follows that same intimate, self-therapeutic approach, and precedes his eighth album, “The Weight Of Regression”, released the following 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: 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, Cinematic.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: One year after the excellent official debut-album “Submersion”, Russian artist Sergey Gdanian strikes back with this new opus.

Content: “Induction” moves on there where the previous album stopped. The work is characterized by Electronic sound treatments creating a kind of signals lost in a distant space while low sound resonations are emerging. I noticed relaxing parts. The last track features label mate Ruptured World, here you will notice spoken vocals. 

+ + + : Gdanian is a somewhat atypical project from the Cryo Chamber roster. The sound remains devoted to Cinematic- and Dark-Ambient music but it’s accomplished in a different -and more personal way. I like the atmosphere supporting this work for its overwhelming sound production and intriguing aspect.

– – – : I experience more magic at the previous album, “Induction” maybe missing an apotheosis.

Conclusion: Gdanian remains a fascinating project injecting diversity to the Cinematic roster of Cryo Chamber.

Best songs: “Main Block”, “Veins Of The Planet”, “Strange Signals”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.gdanian.com / www.facebook.com/gdanianmusic

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

About Gdanian

Gdanian is the dark ambient project of Russian musician Sergey Gdanian. He debuted on Cryo Chamber with the album “Submersion” in December 2021. “Induction” follows one year later, in November 2022, as his second full-length for the label.

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.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: This album resulted from the collaborative efforts between Oleg Puzan aka Dronny Darko (Ukraine) and G M Slater (USA). The sound universe of this album is inspired by the vision of a distant, dystopian, world.

Content: “Dissolving Into Solitary Landscapes” invites the listener to embark on an obscure and yet dreamy sound sensation. It’s pure Cinematic music revealing a constant, ultra-dark, atmosphere which has been achieved by field recordings and the darkest tones.

+ + + : This album is characterized by a strong visual appeal, which you’ll experience from the very first notes. The dark sound waves have something intimate and bring you into a world of despair and sadness, creating a post-apocalyptic sensation.

– – – : The debut sounds poignant, but there’s less variation. You get the feeling listening to an endless, long, track.

Conclusion: Listening to this album it becomes obvious the future isn’t bright, but extremely dark and hopeless.

Best songs: “The Slow March Of Extinction”, “The Infinity Bell – Part 1”.

Rate: 7.

Artist: www.facebook.com/dronnydarko

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

About Dronny Darko

Dronny Darko is the drone-ambient project of Oleg Puzan, based in Kyiv, Ukraine, set up in 2014. Puzan has released a large number of productions across different labels, including “Spira Igneus”, his third album, on Cryo Chamber in 2016, and “Abduction” in 2017, also on Cryo Chamber. He cites Red Fog, Lustmord, Thomas Köner, Mathias Grassow and Alessandro Cortini among his influences. “Dissolving Into Solitary Landscapes” is a collaborative album with G M Slater (USA), released 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: Cinematic, Ambient-Electro.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Crypthios is one of the newest signings to Cryo Chamber. This is a solo-project driven by Simeon Popov and inspired by a ‘post-apocalyptic’-world.

Content: Crypthios built up an Ambient-Electronic universe with explicit Cinematic passages. The composition sounds minimal and sometimes reminds me of the haunting universe of Tor Lundvall. The composition features sequences with background chants and spooky, whispering vocals.

+ + + : “Vestigium” is characterized by an intimate atmosphere, which is mixing haunting sensations and sadness. The production is driven by multiple, sonic details revealing subtle writing. You’ll also notice slow rhythmic parts making the work more accessible. Crypthios sounds a bit unusual for a Cryo Chamber-release, but it enlarges the sonic horizon of the record company.

– – – : Multiple cool and enjoyable songs, but no absolute climax.

Conclusion: Crypthios brings a refreshing production to the Cryo Chamber roster, but also is a promising, new, artist in the wider fields of Ambient-Electro.

Best songs: “Vestigium”, “Bronze Face”, “Forgiveness”.

Rate: 7½.

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

Listen to “Vestigium”:

About Crypthios

Crypthios is the dark ambient project of Simeon Popov, based in Sochi, Russia. Popov wrote, produced, performed and mastered “Vestigium” on his own, with cover artwork by Simon Heath.

“Vestigium” was released on 14 June 2022 and was the first Crypthios album issued by Cryo Chamber. Two further albums followed on the same label: “Fading Coast” in 2023 and “Awakening” in 2024. The record reviewed here opens that sequence.

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: Bulgarian artist Hristo Gospodinov is back on track unleashing a new album of his Shrine music project. After having released an album on Cryo Chamber he moved back to Cyclic Law releasing an album based on ‘a Japanese manga from the 80’s by Hayao Miyazaki and the subsequent anime of the same name.’ 

Content: Shrine remains faithful to elements of Dark-Ambient and Cinematic music. It remains a dark work mixing the aforementioned influences together with slow rhythms and analogue-like sound treatments. I also noticed a few different cuts like a pure ambient piece reminding me of pioneers in the Electro-Ambient style and a last cut, which sounds like early Delerium.

+ + + : Shrine doesn’t exactly repeat itself, but dares to explore new sonic paths. The work sounds diversified revealing different noticeable tracks. “Extinction” is a brilliant and poignant creation revealing pure darkness, but I especially like the way this cut has been progressively built up. That’s a trademark which also comes back in a few more songs and even creates a Trance sensation. “A World Reborn” is the most surprising cut for being something different. I like the slow cadence, but especially the icy sound treatments. This track will appeal to early-Delerium lovers.

– – – : This is probably the most unique Shrine album I’ve ever heard. I can easily imagine it will not please all Shrine lovers.

Conclusion: Shrine remains an interesting experience in Dark-Ambient and Cinematic music.

Best songs: “A World Reborn”, “Extinction”, “Twilight Of Man”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: http://shrine.me.uk

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

About Shrine

Hristo Gospodinov founded Shrine in Bulgaria in 2003. Early releases came out on Corvus Records. The project later joined Cyclic Law, releasing the full-length albums “Somnia” (2012) and “Nihil” (2014), followed by the concept album “Ordeal 26.04.86” (2016), a 6-track release dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, issued in a limited edition of 500 copies as a 4-panel CD digipack with artwork by Dehn Sora and Hristo Gospodinov. Shrine went on to release an album on Cryo Chamber before returning to Cyclic Law for “Nausicaä”, based on the 1980s manga and anime of the same name by Hayao Miyazaki.

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

Pierre Laplace played in different bands before he set up Beyond The Ghost. The French solo-project got rapidly signed to Cryo Chamber and released five albums plus a collaborative album in between 2019 and 2022. The newest work “Sundown” is the final chapter of the “Europe Series” trilogy. The concept is all about a futuristic and dystopian vision happening in Berlin, London and Rome. Beyond The Ghost released great pieces of Dark-Ambient and Cinematic music, but “Sundown” appears to be the magnum opus. The French artist created an ominous atmosphere by the use of analogue sound treatments and real instruments. Beyond The Ghost is definitely one of the most talented projects in its genre from the past few years. Time for a chat with Pierre Laplace.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: I think it’s interesting starting this interview to ask about your music background. You’ve been involved with music and bands/projects which are totally different from Beyond The Ghost. Tell us a bit more about your artistic odyssey and how do you see yourself as musician?

Pierre: I think I’m pretty open-minded as a musician (and music fan as well). I’ve always liked exploring different genres and styles. I started playing New-Wave music when I was 17, I was heavily influenced by The Cure and Joy Division. A few years later, I got into songwriting, playing nylon or folk guitar. I sang and played guitar in a band called Vera Clouzot for 10 years. We started out as a three-piece, with one of my friends playing the cello, which wasn’t very common at the time. We released 2 mostly acoustic albums sung in English, then 2 friends joined us on drums and on bass guitar, and our sound evolved into a mix of atmospheric Ballads and Experimental-Rock music. We released 2 albums sung in French with that line-up. I also released 2 albums of Folk songwriting as Kenyon.

Then I took a break from writing music, started setting up a home studio with no clear idea of what I wanted to do musically. Luckily, I found out that my 15-year-old niece Léonie had a beautiful voice when she played guitar and sang at a family dinner party. We worked together as The Sandman’s Orchestra. I wrote and produced the songs, and Léonie was the lead singer. We released 3 albums of original songs, mostly Atmospheric-Folk, with a touch of Electronic music, and our last album was a cover of “The Ninth Wave”, the B-side to Kate Bush’s classic “Hounds Of Love”-album. It was a huge undertaking and I spent countless hours working on sounds, textures and arrangements.

Q: How did you get in touch with Dark-Ambient and related music genres? What was the main idea and purposes when setting up Beyond The Ghost?

Pierre: Around the time I was working on “The Ninth Wave”. I started listening to Ambient music, as well as Post-Rock stuff and Dark-Jazz. When I started working as Beyond The Ghost, the main idea was to write Cinematic music that would mix organic and electronic sounds, to operate within the realm of Dark-Ambient while being open to the influence of other genres.

Q: Beyond The Ghost clearly is a prolific project as you released five full length albums plus one collaborative album together with Dead Melodies in 3-4 years of time. How do you explain this productivity and how do you go on motivating yourself and getting the inspiration to release new works in such a short lapse of time?

Pierre: Signing to Cryo Chamber was such a great opportunity, it boosted my creativity. I get bored easily, so I like having artistic projects that keep me busy and creative. As soon as an album is finished, I take a couple of weeks to think about what I want to do next, and then I start working on a new album. I find inspiration in different ways, it can be personal stuff I’ve been through, feelings of loneliness and anxiety, or the loss of a loved one for example. Sometimes I’m inspired by some work of art. Most of the time, I play a real or virtual instrument, start improvising and if I find an idea I like, I start building a track around it.

Q: You recently released the “Sundown”-album which is the final chapter of the “Europe Series”-trilogy. Tell us a bit more about this futuristic, dystopian, conceptual work where you invite the listener to visit Berlin, London and Rome in further times? What have been the main sources of inspiration and how did you transpose the concept into sound?

Pierre: After 2 albums that were deeply personal and the fantasy world we explored with Dead Melodies, I wanted to try something different, and I got this idea of working on a trilogy that would evoke the possible decline of Europe in a few decades. Honestly, I don’t know how the concept came to me, it just happened. I liked the idea of the 3 albums taking place in a specific time and place, and it gave me the opportunity to explore different genres, since I wanted each album to have its own sonic identity. Roughly speaking, “The Last Resort” is a noir album influenced by Dark-Jazz with “Twin Peaks” vibes, The “Desolation Age” is a mostly Electronic album that can be labelled as Cyber-Punk, I guess, and “Sundown” is my attempt at mixing Dark-Ambient and Cinematic music in the style of Ennio Morricone.

Q: I consider “Sundown” as your absolute master piece. It reveals a great evolution in the global production process, but also a noticeable symbiosis between electronic sound treatments and authentic instruments. Do you always consider the last album as being the best one? When do you know a track/album is finished?

Pierre:Thank you for the kind words on “Sundown”. It was the album I spent the most time working, and I think it’s my best work yet. My friend Tom of Dead Melodies called it Dark-Ambient spaghetti Western music, which is a great way to describe the album! Besides “Sundown”, I don’t consider my last album as being the best one. I don’t usually think that way. I consider each album as a new sonic venture. I don’t know if I’ve succeeded, but I would like to have a sound and style that people can recognize, and at the same time create albums that have their own identity and are different from one another. I feel that an album is finished when I’m happy with the track sequence, the overall sound and atmosphere.

Q: What are you actually working on and how do you expect Beyond The Ghost evolving throughout the coming years?

Pierre: After “Sundown” was completed, I started working on a new project, but it’s taking me longer than usual, notably because I had to move out, and other stuff got in the way. Now that my home studio is set up in my new house, I’ve resumed working on this new album. The music could go in various directions, but for now it’s a mix of early Electronic sounds, Dark-Ambient and Dark-Jazz.

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: This collaborative album is the sixth chapter in the “Tomb Of Primordials”-series.  The work is meant as ‘a dark exploration of the multifaceted entities of Sumerian mythology and the many dark places they inhabit.’ The work features six cuts revealing occasional collaborations.

Content: The work features sonic exposures by some familiar and famous names from the Dark-Ambient and Cinematic scene.  Dahlia’s Tear,
Svartsinn, Letum, New Risen Throne, Mortiis, Inner Vision Laboratory and Desiderii Marginis are projects we all know from their works released on labels like Cryo Chamber, Cyclic Law, Winter Light ao while Skadi is a rather unfamiliar name. You’ll find occasional collaborations between Svartsinn and Letum plus New Risen Throne and Mortiis. All tracks reflect an inhibited atmosphere which sounds however ominous and even tormented.

+ + + : This album might be seen as a compilation although it also reflects the philosophy of Cryo Chamber meant as a ‘family’ thing. The concept and the very repressed atmosphere however sounds like an entity wherein the theme became more important than the contributors. It doesn’t take away that this work features a few great pieces like the one delivered by Skadi featuring one of the darkest cuts. Another great cut is the one by Desiderii Marginis. I also like the sophisticated and detailed cut by Inner Vision Laboratory and the somewhat Tribal-driven track created by New Risen Throne and Mortiis.

– – – : I personally expected a bit more out of the collaboration between Svartsinn and Letum.

Conclusion: Cryo Chamber definitely became the reference when it comes to create conceptual themes versus collaborations between artists.

Best songs: “Seed Of Pestilence” by Skadi, “The Faceless Bringers Of Pain” by Desiderii Marginis.

Rate: 7½.

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

About Tomb Of Primordials and the Cryo Chamber Tomb Series

“Tomb Of Primordials” is the sixth chapter in the Tomb Series issued by the American dark ambient label Cryo Chamber. The CD edition appeared on May 3, 2022, with a digital edition released alongside it.

The record collects six pieces: “Crystal Scars Beneath A Bleak Sky” by Dahlia’s Tear, “Seed Of Pestilence” by Skadi, “One By One I Broke Their Wings” by Svartsinn and Letum, “Chants For Isimud” by New Risen Throne and Mortiis, “Vermin Wiped Clean” by Inner Vision Laboratory, and “The Faceless Bringers Of Pain” by Desiderii Marginis. Each contributor is credited with composition, writing, production and performance on their own track.

Skadi is the only one of the eight contributors without an entry in the Side-Line archive. The other seven appear across the site’s dark ambient coverage, and several of them have also released through Cyclic Law.

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.

Format: Digital, 2CD.

Background/Info: New-Yorker (USA) Chris F. has already released an impressive number of productions under the Ajna moniker. He worked together with labels such as Petroglyph Music, Reverse Alignment, Cryo Chamber, Winter-Light and Cyclic Law. “Mors Ultra” which can be translated as “Beyond Death” or “Death No More” features twenty-three tracks.  

Content: If you’re already familiar with Ajna you’ll recognize the familiar, ominous, sphere created by cold and icy sound treatments. Multiple sound effects have been put on top, sometimes moving crescendo until reaching an ultimate point of fright and torment.

+ + + : One of the essential aspects of the work is the visual strength of the composition. I think it’s an essential condition when listening to this kind of music. The work features endless little sound details which you can (re)discover by using headphones. Ajna creates a sphere of pure oppression which is mainly coming through at “Tunnel Experience”, “The Enigmatic Doorway”, “Quantum States” and “Stargate”.

– – – : All tracks can’t convince me but that’s because of the extended tracklist. I guess it’s not a point for Ajna fans.

Conclusion: Ajna explores afterlife transposing the experience into dark sounds.

Best songs: “Tunnel Experience”, “The Enigmatic Doorway”, “Quantum States”, “Stargate”, “Beyond Death”, “Enhanced Sensitivity”.

Rate: 8.

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

About Ajna

Ajna is the dark ambient project of Chris F., a producer based in New York. Discogs records him as active since 2008 and also lists Segment.fault as one of his names.

His first proper release, “The Strange Demeanor Of Solitude”, came out on the Petroglyph Music netlabel in 2013. The first physical release, “Inevitable Mortality”, followed in 2016. In 2018 he signed to Cyclic Law, which issued “Lucid Intrusion” as a nine-track CD in a four-panel digisleeve limited to 300 copies. He has also worked with Reverse Alignment, Cryo Chamber and Winter-Light, and has recorded collaborative albums with Dronny Darko, Dödsapparaten and Onasander.

“Mors Ultra”, reviewed here, is a twenty-three track double album released by Cyclic Law in digital and 2CD formats.

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: “Sundown” is the final chapter in the “Europe Series”-trilogy by French artist Pierre Laplace. It started with “The Last Resort” and a view of Berlin in 2060. The album “The Desolation Age” brought us to London in 2061 while “Sundown” is a dystopian view of Rome in 2062. Aside from this trilogy Beyond The Ghost released two early full lengths and a collaborative work together with Dead Melodies. 

Content: Beyond The Ghost moves on exploring dark paths of ambient music. Pierre Laplace created an ominous sound universe mixing authentic sounds like cello and guitar together with vintage electronic treatments. The production features slow rhythms and also passages with ghost-like vocals.

+ + + : Beyond The Ghost accomplished with the “Europe series” a brilliant production. The first two chapters were already noticeable works but “Sundown” definitely appears to be the magnum opus. It’s an original composition mixing Dark-Ambient and Cinematic music together while driven by slow rhythms and intriguing vocals. I’m also addicted to the magic, analogue like, sound treatments while the guitar parts inject a freaky touch. The second part of the album reveals a succession of superb tracks.

– – – : I can’t say this album is hard to label but it definitely brings different influences together so in the end it’s a production for open-minded Dark-Ambient lovers.

Conclusion: Trilogies are always a challenge but Beyond The Ghost has accomplished a true tour de force. 

Best songs: “Ghosts Marching Home”, “Obscuration”, “Chiiaroscuro”, “No Way Out Of This Maze”, “Sundown”, “The Darkest Night Ever”.

Rate: 9.

Artist: www.facebook.com/beyondtheghost

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

About Beyond The Ghost

Beyond The Ghost is the dark ambient project of French musician Pierre Laplace, based in Lille. Before starting it he led the experimental rock band Vera Clouzot for ten years, self-released two acoustic solo albums as Kenyon, and formed one half of the atmospheric folk duo The Sandman’s Orchestra. He builds the Beyond The Ghost sound from soft and hardware synths, live instruments such as guitar, piano and percussion, and field recordings.

The project has released everything through Cryo Chamber, starting with “You Disappeared” in 2019 and “Eternal Drift” in 2020. The collaborative album “Crier’s Bane” with Dead Melodies also appeared in 2020. The “Europe Series” then ran across “The Last Resort” and “The Desolation Age” in 2021 and closed with “Sundown” in 2022. “Neon Twilight” followed in 2024.

“Sundown”, the album reviewed here, was released on 5 April 2022. Laplace wrote, produced, performed and mastered it, Capucine Meens sings on the record and Simon Heath made the artwork. Laplace spoke about the project a few months later in ‘Click Interview’ with Beyond The Ghost: ‘I Would Like To Have A Sound And Style That People Can Recognize’, and the album was listed in the Side-Line Top 25 albums of the year 2022.

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.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Serbian Scorpio V better known as Metatron Omega is back on track unleashing his fifth full length album. The work has been introduced as arriving ‘to the sound of thunderous choirs from within the colossal church.’

Content: This artist has been always driven by mystic- and ritual themes which have been accentuated by the power and magic of choir passages. The work has been accomplished by dark tones and percussion effects.

+ + + : The main strength of this new work is its ‘pure’ Dark-Ambient format. This artist brings some diversity to the label’s roster which remains mainly driven by Cinematic music. Both genres are related and even pretty close but there are nuances. The main strength of “ISIH” is the sacred atmosphere which is very powerful. You really get the feeling of sitting in a chair and hearing the trembling and echoing choirs. The sound atmosphere totally fits with the artwork.

– – – : The best cuts are right at the beginning; both last tracks being not my favorites.

Conclusion: I remain addicted to the early Ritual work of this artist although he’s also a talented Dark-Ambient composer.

Best songs: “Megalosthronos”, “ISIH”, “Imperium Novum”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/metatronomega

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

About Metatron Omega

Metatron Omega is the Serbian dark ambient project of Scorpio V, built around choir works, sacred vocal material, field recordings and long reverberations, and drawing on Eastern and Western esoteric and religious traditions. The same musician records under a number of other names, among them Paleowolf, and has taken part in A Cryo Chamber Collaboration.

Every Metatron Omega album has appeared on Cryo Chamber: “Gnosis Dei” in 2015, “Sanctum” in 2016, “Illuminatio” in 2017 and “Evangelikon” in 2019. Scorpio V set out his working method in ‘Click Interview’ With Metatron Omega: ‘The Sound You Hear Is The Channeling Of These Energies That Stream From My Mind’ in December 2016.

“ISIH”, the album reviewed here, was released on 19 April 2022. Scorpio V wrote, produced, performed it and made the artwork, and Simon Heath handled mastering. “Kataphasis” followed on Cryo Chamber in 2023.

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, CD.

Background/Info: The prolific British artist Tom Moore is exploring the world of dreams in his newest work. This must be his eighth solo-work while he also released several collaborative pieces.

Content: “Memento” is moving from pure Dark-Cinematographic music to Dark-Ambient. The artist brings both universes together while accentuating some passages with evasive guitar playing. The tracks have been progressively built up until reaching an ominous sphere achieved with field recordings.

+ + + : Dead Melodies holds onto his familiar sound formula. It’s a typical Cryo Chamber release for its Cinematic format but also an interesting Dark-Ambient approach reaching a climax at “Eyes Of The Sun”.

– – – : Dead Melodies moves on composing a pleasant and even fascinating sound but the albums are progressively becoming more predictable. The effect of surprise is gone.

Conclusion: Dead Melodies has accomplished a new dark composition touched by grace and serenity.

Best songs: “Eyes Of The Sun”, “Welcome Delirium”, “Where Lonely Embers Grow”. .

Rate: 7.

Listen to “Memento”:

Artist: www.facebook.com/thedeadmelodies

Label: www.cryochamberlabel.com / 

www.facebook.com/CryoChamber

About Dead Melodies

Dead Melodies is the dark ambient project of British musician Tom Moore. Moore has been making music since 2006, first as Indigolab, a guitar-based outlet that ran to ten albums and EPs. In late 2014 he turned to ambient music and released three EPs and two full-length albums through the Norwegian net label Sparkwood Records, which also hosts his ambient post-rock side project Understated Theory.

His early self-released material includes the 2015 EPs “Slowwave Perception” and “Broken Shadows And Wildsilences”. In 2016 came “Subtle Imperfections” on Sparkwood Records, the “Parallel Existence” album and the “Mortuus Chronos” EP with Strange Meat. “Legends Of The Wood” in 2017 was his first release for Cryo Chamber, followed by “Tomb Of Druids” the same year, “The Foundations Of Ruin” in 2018 and “Primal Destination” in 2019.

2020 brought three records: “Anthropocene” with Zenjungle, “Crier’s Bane” with Beyond The Ghost and the solo album “The Masterplan”. “Fabled Machines Of Old” followed in 2021. “Memento” was released on 22 March 2022, written, produced and performed by Moore, with artwork and mastering by Simon Heath.

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.

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