Swedish artist Erik Jarl never ceases to produce new work. At the end of 2024, he released “Receptor Radiation”, featuring four long compositions.

Jarl’s sonic formula has remained fairly consistent over the years. He constructs a dark, enigmatic atmosphere that sits somewhere between Dark-Ambient and Cinematic music. His sound unfolds in waves that repeat inexhaustibly, creating a hypnotic monotony where the magic of analog textures takes effect.

Two of the tracks extend beyond 20 minutes, which, for me, feels slightly excessive. A touch more diversity would make Jarl’s work more engaging, yet at the same time, this very repetitiveness has become his signature. (Rating:7).

Listen to “Radiation Process – Scale – 1 – 25%”:

https://zoharum.bandcamp.com/track/radiation-process-scale-1-25-2

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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Genre/Influences: Dark-Ambient, Cinematic.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: For more than twenty years now Swedish artist Erik Jarl is composing music as Jarl and has released an endless number of productions. This newest work deals about seven colors and more specifically what sense and mood each color can bring.

Content: The work brings the familiar Jarl sound ‘formula’ which is moving from freaky Ambient music towards a true, Cinematic, and somewhat mystic style. From pure evasion to darker passages the work is characterized by explicit analogue sound treatments creating a sonic mayhem.

+ + + : I especially like the opening cut featuring scary, sharp, sound treatments resulting in a haunting atmosphere. Cold, mystic passages are emerging at a few other pieces. But most of all I like the magic of analogue sound treatments this work has been made of. Jarl remains a prolific artist but this album is probably one of his best exposures from the past few years.

– – – : The main point that hurts is that the songs became rather similar after a while. A bit more diversity would maybe ruin a part of the artist’s approach but eventually bring his work towards a higher dimension.

Conclusion: Jarl has transposed an interesting concept into a dark sonic creation.

Best songs: “Circle 1 – Grey – Scale One”, “Circle 5 – Black”, “Circle 7 – Grey – Scale two”.

Rate: 7½.  

Artist: www.facebook.com/Jarl.main 

Label: www.zoharum.com / www.facebook.com/zoharum

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Experimental

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Erik Jarl remains a true prolific artist. “Mindrotation” was released late 2022 and deals with the human psyche. Five parts/tracks have been composed.

Content: The work of the Swedish project remains mainly driven by Experimentalism revealing an impressive sound/noise canvas which has been used to compose disturbing sound waves. It sometimes sounds totally improvised and later on long and monotonous.

+ + + : It all sounds like you can feel there’s an ominous concept running through the work. I like the disturbing effect of the composition which is mainly emerging at the first and fourth part. It also reminds me of early 80s analogue sounds and effects creating a visual appeal.

– – – : Some passages are bit too long – especially the last cut going over 20 minutes, and linear.

Conclusion: Jarl takes us away for a dark odyssey throughout the human psyche.

Best songs: “Part 4 – Mind – Isolation”, “Part 1 – Mind – Variation”.

Rate: 7.

Artist: www.facebook.com/Jarl.main

Label: www.zoharum.com / www.facebook.com/zoharum

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Experimental, Industrial, Cinematic.

Format: Digital, CD, Cassette.

Background/Info: The previous work by Jarl released on Zoharum (cf. “Hyperacusis”) was dealing with a severe hearing disease. “Phonophobia” deals with another -although related clinical subject referring to psychology and clinical psychiatry. 

Content: Erik Jarl composed 3 tracks for this conceptual work. The work remains Experimental, but still reveals explicit Industrial-Ambient influences. All tracks are characterized by a kind of sonic monotony accentuated by rare variations. All tracks are going over the 20 minutes.

+ + + : What I like is the kind of disturbed atmosphere created by the monotonous, endless sound loops. It’s an obscure production revealing less diversity, but always ending in obscurity. The last cut is a bit more diversified.

– – – : Jarl remains very prolific and inspired by great conceptual themes. It’s just a pity the music becomes less inspired than the themes…

Conclusion: I already have to say there’s much better work from Jarl than what I’ve heard the past few years.

Best songs: “Scale: 3”.

Rate: 6.

Artist: www.facebook.com/Jarl.main

Label: www.zoharum.com / www.facebook.com/zoharum

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Experimental, Experimental, Cinematographic. 

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Erik Jarl already strikes back with a new album; he released three albums this year and can already look back at an impressive discography. “Spectrum confusion” is the fifth album released on Reverse Alignment. 

Content: The Swedish artist composed 3 long duration tracks revealing a different approach from the work we’re used to hearing from Jarl. The tracks are more into an Electronic approach, pretty minimal and characterized by icy sound treatments. It however remains an Ambient/Cinematographic travel, which comes mainly through on, “Part 2” and “Part 3”. 

+ + + : The icy, chilling sound treatments are noticeable elements of this work. It creates a mysterious and also anguishing atmosphere reinforcing the Cinematographic touch of the work. There’s a perfect balance between this cold, evasive style and the Minimal-Electro approach. “Part 2” is a true noticeable cut, which I would compare to a weird and imaginary space voyage.

– – – : The album is characterized by repetitive loops, which after a while became a bit too predictable. 

Conclusion: I have some mixed feelings with this album; I globally like it, but I get the impression there’s more in it than what came out.

Best songs: “Part 2”. 

Rate: 7.

Artist: www.facebook.com/Jarl.main 

Label: www.facebook.com/reversealignment

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Experimental, Ambient, Cinematographic.

Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl.

Background/Info: Swedish musician Erik Jarl strikes back with a new opus, which is his fourth production released by Zoharum. Jarl already released an impressive number of works while Erik Jarl was previously also involved with renowned projects like IRM, Skin Area, Kaiten ao. The title of this work refers to a rare, but severe hearing disorder.

Content: “Hyperacusis” features 2 long duration tracks, each cut going over the 20 minutes. I experienced this album as a bit different to previous Jarl productions I heard. The composition sounds more minimal, still Dark-Ambient and yet taking some distance with previous works. Both cuts are carried by repetitive sequences. It’s an icy sonic environment, which at the second cut is accentuated by a kind of chainsaw loop.

+ + + : “Hyperacusis” sounds ominous, creating an intriguing effect. You feel a nearby danger, which especially on the second cut is masterly accentuated at the final part. The work has a visual strength and would be really interesting to rediscover by the addition of a real visual input like film, pictures ao. I also have to say a word about the sober, but cool digipak format while the concept of the work gave me the opportunity to know a bit more about hyperacusis.

– – – : Both tracks are repetitive, without touching ground with Trance so after a while it becomes a bit predictable and monotone.

Conclusion: This is not exactly the Jarl production I would advise to discover the artist.

Best songs: “Hyperacusis Part 2 – Frequency Colour Second Degree”.

Rate: (6).

Artist: www.facebook.com/Jarl.main

Label: www.zoharum.com / www.facebook.com/zoharum

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, Ambient-Noise, Experimental, Electro-Acoustic.

Format: Digital, 2 CD.

Background/Info: Swedish artist Erik Jarl is already active for numerous years now and has released an impressive number of productions on very different labels such as Reverse Alignment, Autarkeia, Malignant Records ao. “Inner Domain” is a selection of tracks that were originally composed between 2007 and 2009 and originally meant to get released on cassette. Zoharum brings these forgotten stuff back to light as a double disc featuring a total amount of 13 tracks.

Content: The first disc features 5 tracks taking off with a kind of ambient-like Noise creation. Deep vibrating sounds are getting the listener in their grip till heavier Noise waves are coming through. There are some variations in the songwriting while both last pieces are heavier and even create a true Noise wall.

The second disc sounds different and I should say more inhibited. The artist reveals a more Ambient-orientated creation with a visual appeal. The writing is more subtle like showing an intimate side of Noise music.

+ + + : The three first cuts of the album left me rather breathless; I experienced an obscure and poignant sound animated by some little variations and extra sounds joining in. It’s a perfect osmosis between Ambient and Noise carried by deep, vibrating waves. But there’s also something to say about the second disc revealing a sophisticated and even very personal side of an extreme music genre. I’m not saying that the second disc has something visionary and yet the unique approach is fascinating.

– – – : Speaking for myself I was less convinced by the heavier Noise waves from the first disc, which sound more common and without real sophistication.

Conclusion: I think it has been a great idea to support these somewhat lost and forgotten tracks from dust; “Inner Domain” being an exciting experience in progressive Noise music.

Best songs: “Hypnagogic Domain Part 3”, “Hypnagogic Domain Part 1” + “Hypnopompic Domain Part 2”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/Jarl.main

Label: www.zoharum.com / www.facebook.com/zoharum

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, soudscape.

Background/Info: This album is a conceptual release featuring Anemone Tube (Germany), Jarl (Sweden) and Monocube (Ukrainian). The concept is based upon a series of paintings by Pieter Bruegel. In 1565 he painted a series of paintings dedicated to the months of the year. He broke the cycle of the year into six stages in six paintings, two months per painting, one of these paintings have been lost, five remain. The remaining paintings inspired the artists to compose five tracks names after the original name of the paintings.

Content: The work features two collaborative efforts between Anemone Tube and Jarl, one between Anemone Tube and Monocube, one featuring the three artists and another solo-cut by Anemone Tube. The compositions are mixing dark-ambient and soundscape passages featuring deep, blasting sounds, space-like bleeps, overwhelming sound waves and multiple little crispy noises and other rarities.

+ + + : Those artists have transposed the original painting of Brueghel into a nightmarish experience. The tracks are pretty visual, which is accentuated by the impressive sound treatments, which are mainly coming through in “The Gloomy Day” and “The Harvesters”. This is an intelligent and great artistic concept. I also have to say a word about the cool digipak featuring pictures from the original painting plus a booklet with a lot of information.

– – – : I can’t say there’s one bad song featured, but just a few passages –like during the final cut, which are maybe a bit too long in duration.

Conclusion: This is an interesting and really successful collaboration between three artists transposing the world of the great Pieter Bruegel into a horror vision.

Best songs: “The Gloomy Day”, “The Harvesters”, The Hay Harvest”.

Rate: (8).

Artists: www.anemonetube.de / www.facebook.com/anemonetube / www.facebook.com/Jarl.main / www.facebook.com/monocube.official 

Label: www.the–epicurean–transformed.de / www.facebook.com/epicureanescapism

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-ambient, experimental.

Background/Info: Zoharum likes to re-release work from ambient- and industrial inspired bands. This is another re-release on the Polish label featuring two Jarl-albums. Jarl is a Swedish project, which has already released multiple works. “Negative Rotation” was originally released in 2007 on Abisko as cassette. “Intensive Fracture” takes us back to 2005 and was also released in Abisko as cassette. Both albums now get a ‘new’ life and have been released on CD format for the very first time.

Content: “Negative Rotation” is mixing elements of dark-ambient and electronic music. Echoing drones and overwhelming sound waves are getting the listener into their grip and finally result in a truly apotheosis with a visual strength.

“Intensive Fracture” sounds different and definitely more extreme. The ambient side is not that present and the cuts are carried by experimentalism and abstract sound structures.

+ + + : This work reveals two albums and two different sides of Jarl. I prefer the more ambient-orientated approach from “Negative Rotation”. The sound is somewhat unique and diversified, but revealing great echoing percussion parts, heavy sound waves and ambient passages with a visual appeal. “Intensive Fracture” was an earlier work and that’s in a way an aspect you can hear. The sound was more into experimentalism and will appeal to lover of extremer sonic sensations. It however reveals the progression and diversity of Jarl.

– – – : I think you already understand I’m not a huge fan of “Intensive Fracture”, which sounds too much into improvisation and experimentalism.

Conclusion: What I especially like with the Zoharum re-releases is that they give you the opportunity to (re)discover bands and releases, which aren’t always the most familiar ones.

Best songs: “Negative Rotation Part 11”, “Negative Rotation Part 2” + “Intensive Fracture Part 4”.

Rate: (6).

Artist: www.facebook.com/Jarl.main

Label: www.zoharum.com / www.facebook.com/zoharum

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

The Swedish electro-synth-pop band Cinemascape are releasing a new digital EP on December 17.

The new Cinemascape EP is called “Foreign Terrain” and is the band’s first release of new material since their second album, “Cold Heaven”, was released over two years ago. The EP contains 4 brand new tracks. Tracklist: “Sinister”, “Alien Surface”, “Scene Of The Crime” and “Cruelty”.

Cinemascape is the project by Johan Jarl (lead vocals), Sebastian Milo (lead vocals) and Marcus Johansson (keyboards, computers).

Here’s a video trailer the band upped to announce the imminent release. The music video for the first track “Sinister” will be out soon.

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.

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