The joint project of Portuguese J. A. (Wolfskin, Karnnos) and A. Coelho (Sektor 304), aka Iurta, has readied its debut album, out now on Cyclic Law records.

Inspired by the works of J. G. Ballard and A. Tarkovski, Iurta’s first full length album deals with what the label calls “the fragmentation of identity, of a mind forged by short-circuited information processes”. You may expect a rather excellent mix of soundscapes built upon cascading drones, harsh textures and minimal sonic oscillations.

The CD version itself – which is available right here on Bandcamp next to the download version – comes in a 4-panels matt laminated digipak which is limited to only 500 copies!

Check the full trackless right below:

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!

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Genre/Influences: Cinematographic, ethereal, folk.

Background/Info: There’s been a hiatus of 10 years between the previous album of Karnnos and the new work. Karnnos is a Portuguese formation, which has released 4 albums before the long break that happened after “Undercurrents And Lost Horizons” (2005). They strike back on Cynfeirdd again, but with a different line-up.

Content: “Dream Continent” sounds like a new start for Karnnos although they remain faithful to some of their familiar elements. The new stuff sounds more into diversity and impregnated by different influences. Some of the mystic influences feel like a wink to Dead Can Dance, but globally speaking this composition is moving in between cinematographic impressions and ballads filled with reverie.

There’s a perfect balance between electronics and acoustic (traditional) instruments. It injects an intriguing atmosphere into the work, which sometimes comes closer to a ritual style. Whispering vocal fragments reinforce the mysterious impact of the album. “Dream Continent” sounds now into reverie and then into chilling passages, but always supported with a poignant ambient touch.

+ + + : It’s pretty hard to define this work as one particular genre. Karnnos created an own approach in style, which appears to be one of the most significant moves compared to the past. The work is accomplished and eclectic.

– – – : Despite of many cool songs, I don’t really get the impression to have found a real climax.

Conclusion: “Dream Continent’ sounds a bit like the start of a second life for Karnnos. This album appears to be a kind of resurrection transposed into an open-minded ethereal-folk format.

Best songs: “A Space Out Of Space”, “An Ocean Of Bliss”, “Timeless Echoes”.

Rate: (7).

Band: www.facebook.com/Karnnos

Label: www.cynfeirdd.com / www.infrastition.com /  www.facebook.com/pages/Infrastition/150742551617246

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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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