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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Cinematographic, Dark-Ambient.

Format: Digital, 2CD.

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

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

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

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

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

Best songs: “Yig 1”.

Rate: (7).

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Cinematographic, dark-ambient.

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

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

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

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

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

Best songs: “Shub-Niggurath 1”.

Rate: (7½).

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-ambient, dark experimental-jazz.

Background/Info: One year after the successful debut work “Lost In Fog” the Ukrainian Phonothek strikes back with a new opus (released as digital work only).

Content: One of the main characteristics of the debut work was the trumpet playing, which was referring to jazz influences. I didn’t exactly notice the link with jazz music, but I have to admit it’s an aspect that comes more through on “Red Moon”. The industrial jazz format has been mixed with traditional dark-ambient influences. All elements together create a paranoid sensation accentuated.

Notice by the way that both opening cuts feature guests. We first get a track together with Keosz and next one with Cities Last Broadcast.

+ + + : “Red Moon” is definitely not a copy of the debut work, but a continuation and move forward. Phonothek’s originality and main strength remains the original format, which moved further than ‘classical’ dark-ambient stuff. The trumpet has a hypnotic feeling, which through some monstrous blasts sounds like announcing a nearby disaster. The visual aspect of the work is another essential element and definitely a required to speak about a successful work in the dark-ambient genre.

– – – : “Red Moon” sounds more experimental and maybe a bit more fragmented than its predecessor. The sound became more complex and sophisticated, but still a little less accessible. I sometimes get the impression to hear a sonic puzzle or –collage while some simplicity would have been more efficient.

Conclusion: Phonothek remains a kind of innovating band dealing with dark-ambient music. Their debut work “Red Moon” will bring you obscure ambient music from another dimension.

Best songs: “Last Melody”, “Come In The Whisper”, “In The Smell Of The Wolves”.

Rate: (7).

Band: www.facebook.com/Phonothekproject

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-ambient, experimental.

Background/Info: Slovakian artist Erik Osvald last year released the promising album “Be Left To Oneself”. The work was pretty soundscape-minded, featuring captivating ethereal chants. I was really wondering how this new work would sound.

Content: “Ava” doesn’t really move on where the previous work stopped. It’s a different experiment and a new approach, which is more focused on dark astral sound treatments. The tracks are supported with a freaky atmosphere and yet the sound rapidly becomes relaxing. There’s a slow progression in the song structures, which is accomplished with multiple field recordings (and/or samplings). The buzzing sound waves become intriguing when symbolizing an imaginary state of loneliness. A few cuts feature some guitar experimentation, injecting some diversity to the global sphere hanging over this work.

+ + + : Keosz seems to be an artist who’s not repeating himself and that’s an aspect I really appreciate. “Ava” is not exactly the kind of work I expected although this new ambient exploration has been accomplished with cool electro-sound treatments. Erik Osvald likes to experiment with sounds and noises, but he also creates a poignant atmosphere of desolation. “Ava” is a work mixing dark spheres and electronic treatments and that’s for sure the main difference with the traditional dark-ambient releases.

– – – : I like the progression of the tracklist until the few cuts that feature explicit guitar experiments. It’s not that bad and adding diversity to the work, but it can’t convince me the same way as the opening cuts.

Conclusion: Keosz mixes different ambient elements together, but remains driven and inspired by a dark spirit. I like this dark approach, reminding me of solitude and isolation.

Best songs: “nothing Left But Gloom”, “Ava”, “Acquitted From Illness”.

Rate: (7).

Band: www.facebook.com/KeOSzMusic

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Prolific atmospheric dark ambient artist Vladislav Sikach aka SiJ is back with a brand new album: “The Time Machine“. On “The Time Machine” the Ukrainian artist explores the aspect of time travel bringing you forwards and backwards in time.

The material is composed of field recordings mixed with bright overlays and distant instruments. For the recordings Sikach could count on the help of Anna Sikach (track 1 & 2), Stanislav ToSo from Particula (track 7), Ilya Fursov from Textere Oris (track 11), Anna Vorobyeva from Wandering Wind (track 4 & 6), Tanya Lieben (track 11), Erik Osvald from Keosz (track 10) and Vadim Grin from Dream Twice (track 4 & 5).

Out now and available via Cryo Chamber’s Bandcamp page as a high quality download or as a CD in full colour 6 panel digipak. Highly recommended!

Sikach started recording his first material quite recently, back in 2011 when he released 2 noise albums (or tracks as these albums contained one 45-minute track on each) called “B.J.D I” and “,.J.D II.”. Since then he has released over 15 albums in total.

Enjoy also the following video for the new release:

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.

side-line.com

Cryo Chamber has released a special Christmas gift to all of those who support the label. Continuing their yearly tradition, the label picked some interesting releases released this year and made an hour track out of it. Some of the tracks fall well within the dark ambient borders, while some other tracks scratch at the surface extending it’s inky tendrils all over neighbouring genres.

On this 1+ hour album you get to explore God Body Disconnect, Apocryphos, Sabled Sun and many other bands:

Here’s the tracklist:

• God Body Disconnect – Rise of the Dormant Host
• Hoshin – Souvenir from the Sacred
• Keosz – Low Down
• Sabled Sun – Overgrown
• Metatron Omega – Transductio
• Apocryphos – Consanguineous Spirit
• ProtoU – Unreal Symbols
• Cities Last Broadcast – Glossolalia
• Enmarta – Apokatástasis II

Here’s a video that accompanies this free download:

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.

side-line.com

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

Background/Info: Keosz is a new project set up by Slovakian artist Erik Osvald who seems to be more familiar producing d’n’b music. This album is an invitation to embark ‘on a trip through sleeping cities kept lucid by neon lights’.

Content: This is a rather classical, but fascinating soundscape travel guiding the listener throughout a universe of darkness and nihilism. You rapidly get an efficient and strong visualization of the mentioned ‘sleeping cities’. I don’t know if the neon lights are keeping it lucid, but I got the feeling there’s a mysterious and invisible evil force hanging over the city.

It creates an impression of ‘dark-cinema’ music revealing a meticulous writing that quite progressively brings the listener into reverie… or into nightmares.

+ + + : I like the slow progression of the compositions, which have this magic visual appeal. This element has been driven through a real climax on “Low Down” where beautiful and ethereal like vocals emerge at the surface like the shadow of Lisa Gerrard. The production also reveals overwhelming sound treatments giving you an impression of entering a 3D sonic dimension.

– – – : I regret Erik Osvald hasn’t experiment with more vocals and/or ethereal chants, which would for sure make the work more accessible.

Conclusion: “Be Left To Oneself” is a successful debut work revealing an exciting soundscape style and a high tech production work. This is a project I can only, but encourage to move on this way.

Best songs: “Low Down”, “Forfeited”, “Be Left To Oneself”.

Rate: (7½).

Band: www.facebook.com/KeOSzMusic

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Out on April 19 but available for pre-order now via Bandcamp as download and as CD is the newest Keosz album “Be Left to Oneself”. “Be Left to Oneself” is also the first album to be released by the very prolific dark ambient label Cryo Chamber.

On “Be Left to Oneself” Keosz (aka Slovakia based Erik Osvald) serves futuristic drone works “taking you on a trip through sleeping cities kept lucid by neon lights” as the label puts it.

Says Simon Heath about this release: “Combining deep bass driven subs with serene distorted overlays, this is crystal clear production served with an analogue touch.” And we can only agree with this description. You can check out a few tracks already 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.

side-line.com