Genre/Influences: Cinematographic, Dark-Ambient.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: “Ellipsis” is the third album ever released by this Italian project driven by Andrea Bellucci –who’s more knows for his involvement with Red Sector A and an endless number of projects like Dioxide, Nerva, Vetropaco, QOD ao. “Ellipsis” is the first new work in thirteen years and a rather special one as it features five tracks, which have been composed with five other artists. The title of the album refers to ‘cyclical themes or events in life and how we face these situations in a similar way.’

Content:  Paolo L. Bandera (Sigillum S ao), New Risen Throne, Exit In Grey, Nimh and Lunar Abyss Deus Organum contributed in chronological order to the work. The tracks are rather different from each other and yet connected by the Dark-Ambient plus Cinematographic approach of the composition. From icy atmospheres supported with field recordings to an organ sound in the background to the very explicit, dreamy guitar, this work has a lot to offer.

+ + + : I was especially impressed by the numerous details and sonic welfare of this work. You better use headphones to experience the impressive sonic canvas this album has been made with. There’s a perfect harmony between electronics and field recordings. “Oblivion” featuring Exit In Grey (Russian project) is a poignant cut that has something sacred because of the organ play in the background while the track goes over the 15 minutes. Another noticeable cut is “Ocean Chants & Ghosts” featuring Nimh. The guitar playing on this song creates a dreamy darkness.

– – – : I personally expected a bit more out of the collaboration with New Risen Throne, which I consider as a master in Dark-Ambient.

Conclusion: “Ellipsis” is a noticeable comeback for Subterranean Source and also an interesting concept for featuring other artists.

Best songs: “Oblivion”, “Ocean Chants & Ghosts”.

Rate: 7.

Artist: www.facebook.com/subterraneansource

Label: www.winter-light.nl / www.facebook.com/winter.light.1

About Subterranean Source

Subterranean Source is the dark ambient project of Italian musician Andrea Bellucci, who is also active with Red Sector A and with projects including Dioxide, Nerva, Vetropaco and QOD. Discogs lists two earlier albums, “Vivid Circles” in 2002 and “Relic” in 2008, both limited CD releases on Desolation House.

“Ellipsis” was released on 23 July 2021 by the Dutch label Winter-Light and holds five collaborative tracks: “Decadimento Incrementale” with Paolo L. Bandera of Sigillum S, “Evoke” with New Risen Throne, “Oblivion” with Exit In Grey, “Ocean Chants & Ghosts” with Nimh and “Zaruchejnaya” with Lunar Abyss Deus Organum.

The credits list Bandera on electronics, Nimh on guitars and synthesizers, Lunar Abyss Deus Organum on a chain of electronic devices, New Risen Throne on samples and drones, and Exit In Grey on electronics and drones. Robin Storey mastered the album and Midnight Sun Studio produced the cover artwork and design.

Side-Line has no earlier article on the project. The archive mentions the name only in coverage of other Italian ambient acts, so the release history above rests on the Discogs entries and the Winter-Light release page.

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, soundscape.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Lunar Abyss or Lunar Abyss quartet or Lunar Abyss Deus Organum… it’s all about the same project active since 1998 and ‘that came from dreams’. Hailing from Finland, they’ve released a countless number of productions.

Content: This album –with a real weird name, features 5 cuts. Lunar Abyss Deus Organum first collected sounds and noises from very different origins, which they next transformed and manipulated in studio. The tracks are clearly experimental-like, but still into soundscape. The tracks are progressively built up, easily going over the 15 and even 20 minutes. You’ll easily recognize field recordings, which have been mixed with low sound resonations, a few percussive parts which rather sound as an effect and long during sound waves. One of the cuts is featuring Tanith.

+ + + : The track “Zazemlya” featuring Tanith is without a shadow of a doubt my favorite piece from the work. This track is a bit darker, but the slow progression is more noticeable and therefore more efficient. I however can imagine this is the kind of album that will please fans of soundscapes.

– – – : I’ve never been a huge fan of soundscape-like experiences and that’s again the feeling I got listening to this work. I too often get the impression the tracks are endless and without a real evolution in structure and sounds.

Conclusion: This album moves on a monotonous trip without any trace of a climax.

Best songs: “Zazemlya”.

Rate: (6).

Artist: www.facebook.com/lunar.abyss.deus.organum

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

About Lunar Abyss Deus Organum

Lunar Abyss Deus Organum has also recorded under the names Lunar Abyss and Lunar Abyss Quartet. The project’s catalog stretches back to 2000, spanning a long series of self-released and label editions across cassette, CD and digital formats. “A Sherpa’s Sleep Is More Milk Music” is issued by the Polish label Zoharum, with a featured contribution from Tanith on the track “Zazemlya”.

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