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

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: 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

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

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, Cinematographic.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Iranian artist Mehdi Saleh has released a countless number of albums and collaborative productions over the past ten years. “Ghost Machine” is his newest solo-work revealing nine new cuts.

Content: Alphaxone achieved a new sonic exposure as an imaginary bridge between pure Dark-ambient and freaky cinematographic music. It’s a dark composition, which brings the listener quite instantly into a state of fear. The tracks are progressively evolving towards a more elaborated final part. Resonating sounds and obscure noises are merged with refined astral bleeps right at the end of the work.

+ + + : Mehdi Saleh is a prolific artist, but I’m really fascinated how he holds on the quality of his productions at a very high level. “Ghost Machine” is dark work and I even dare to say his darkest production ever. The tracks have been progressively built up to a phenomenal final part. “Aftershock” and “Dissolution” create an imaginary apocalyptic apotheosis with a strong visual strength. There’s an impressive and overwhelming power emerging from the sound treatments, but you’ll also notice subtle sound arrangements in the background.

– – – : I’m not saying that the debut part of the work is monotonous, but the best cuts are right at the end. So, it takes a bit of time and a few tracks before Alphaxone reveals its best side. 

Conclusion: Alphaxone remains faithful to its familiar sound and music approach although the artist is constantly trying to put different accents in his production. This is a magnificent work.

Best songs: “Aftershock”, “Dissolution”, “Underneath”, “Derelict”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/alphaxone

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, Experimental.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: “Back To Beyond” is the second album composed as a collaboration between Iranian Mehdi Saleh (Alphaxone) and Ukrainian Sasha Cats (ProtoU). The album has been released four years after “Stardust”, both artists also have worked with countless other artists while releasing their own solo-albums. 

Content: I experienced “Stardust” rather as a soundscape while the new work sounds more diversified. It remains a dark Cinematic journey carried by obscure tones, buzzing sound waves and field recordings, but I also noticed droning effects and Electronic sound manipulations reflecting a true minimal approach right at the final part of the work.

+ + + : Both artists became experienced musicians who’re used to working with other artists and especially label mates. There’s a true symbiosis between both sound universes, but I think this album goes much further than “Stardust”. It’s different and incomparable, but I prefer this album’s diversity. I like the surprising minimalistic sound treatments running through “Myriad Disguises”, which sounds like an unexpected finale. Another great cut is “Dreams Of Solace” carried by drone effects and repetitive sequences.

– – – : Collaborative efforts between label mates resulting in albums make the particularity of Cryo Chamber, but there isn’t always a true chemistry. It sounds like there’s something special between Alphaxone and ProtoU so move on working together guys instead of other collaborations.

Conclusion: This album makes me think of a dark and contemporary approach of Wim Wenders.

Best songs: “Myriad Disguises”, “Dreams Of Solace”, “Future Underground”, “Through The Golden Dust”.

Rate: 8.

Artists: www.facebook.com/alphaxone / www.facebook.com/protoudrone

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.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: The Internet makes everything possible today! “Dream Chambers” resulted from the common efforts between Cesar Alexandre (Brazil) and Mehdi Saleh (Iran). They’re both label mates and have already released a considerable number of productions. Mehdi Saleh is used to working and releasing with other artists. The main idea or theme behind this work is ‘exploring the delicate bridge between reality and dreams’. 

Content: The opening track has something menacing and filled with field recordings. The use of field recordings is the common thread, but quite progressively the work becomes more and more ‘abyssal’. It’s a progressive trip getting you the impression to explore unknown territories of prosperity. Especially the last tracks are becoming less dark although always hiding a few evil noise sources. 

+ + + : Mount Shrine and Alphaxone both transposed their own sound and influences into a more explicit Cinematographic approach, but the main evolution is the prosperity supporting this work. I noticed a kind of dark climax at “Ethereal Origins”, which is the fourth cut from the album, but the next 4 songs are definitely more relaxing. It’s an invitation to dream away, awakening in a prosper and peaceful world. Some darker field recordings like thunder noise are there to remind us that all is vulnerable and reality is always changeable. So I would say this is an album opening with a fascinating darker side and moving towards a serene end.

– – – : I have a preference for the darker beginning of the work so I would not say the other tracks are like an antithesis, but it feels like an album with 2 different sides.  

Conclusion: The main strength of this album is the different approach from both artists resulting in a production, which is somewhat different from what you’re, used to hearing from both protagonists.

Best songs: “Ethereal Origins”, “Beyond The Gates”, “Displacement”, “Dream Chambers”.

Rate: (7).

Artists: www.facebook.com/mtshrine / www.facebook.com/alphaxone

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-cinematographic.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: “Dystopian Gate” must be the eleventh album by Mehdi Saleh aka Alphaxone. And I’m not considering the multiple collaborative releases that saw the light of day. This new opus and conceptual work is meant as an invitation ‘about the contrast between the dystopian and the dream of a better future among the stars’…

Content: Alphaxone moves on with the construction of styled and intimate dark atmospheres. The tracks have been progressively built up with the addition of little noises and effects. Buzzing sound waves are supported by white noises. The sensation of an old cracking vinyl record sound appears to be the red line through the work, but it also creates a ghost-like feeling.

+ + + : Alphaxone remains to me one of the most essential ambient composers from the dark-ambient scene of the last decennium. He’s not exactly innovating, but has this particular taste to refine his work with numerous little details and electronic effects. It creates an intimate universe, which however has something malefic. “Frozen Light ” is a perfect track to experience this disturbing sensation, which is due to the visual strength of Alphaxone’s work. The tracks don’t exactly need multiple sound layers to get you in their grip. “Falling Time ” is a very efficient track where you get the impression that not a lot is really happening and yet you can feel a deep feeling of angst.

– – – : The album is maybe missing an absolute climax to speak about a masterpiece. The main problem with prolific artists is that they’re often repeating themselves.

Conclusion: Alphaxone is a master in creating evasive music passages, which are although anguishing!

Best songs: “Frozen Light”, “Dissolving Horizon”, “Falling Time”, “Lost In The Moment”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.facebook.com/alphaxone

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-cinematographic, dark-ambient.

Background/Info: Iranian composer Mehdi Saleh is already back with a new opus. He released an impressive number of productions in less than 10 years.

Content: “Chronosphere” moves on there where previous works have stopped. The musician invites his audience to embark on a dark sonic shuttle for an ambient trip. The tracks have been progressively built up, sometimes gaining an ultimate point by the addition of sharp sound treatments. The visit brings us throughout baleful imaginary spaces, creating the impression of an endless tunnel effect accomplished with refined sound treatments.

+ + + : The visual strength of Alphaxone’s work remains intact. The listener will figure dark and disturbing images, which are reaching an apotheosis at “Into The Void” and “Ancient Pillars”. The composition is rather diversified, revealing an interesting palette of sounds and noises including field recordings. I also –and once again, enjoyed the delicacy of the sound treatments. The work is filled with multiple little details you can better discover by using headphones.

– – – : Some passages right in the beginning are a little bit monotonous. Mehdi Saleh remains a master in his genre, but his work became more predictable.

Conclusion: The sonic universe of Alphaxone remains an imaginary voyage throughout unknown mysteries.

Best songs: “Into The Void”, “Ancient Pillars”, “Particle Storm”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/alphaxone

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, cinematographic.

Background/Info: Iranian artist Mehdi Saleh (aka Alphaxone) joined hands together with Ukrainian composer Oleg Puzan (aka Dronny Darko) to unleash this album featuring 8 tracks. Alphaxone also released an album together with ProtoU… the partner in crime of Dronny Darko.

Content: I consider Alphaxone as one of the ‘new’ dark-ambient masters so I’m always fascinated to discover what this artist has accomplished. But Dronny Darko also is one of the growing talents in the dark-ambient and drones genre so “Forsaken” could only, but become a noticeable work. Both artists are moving exploring the darkest corners of dark-ambient music resulting in humming, vibrating cellar tones reinforced with field recordings creating a visual appeal. Lost voices are haunting these corridors of despair, which only accentuate the vision of despair and angst.

+ + + : The visual aspect of the album definitely works well on a few cuts. The power of the music directly incites the listener to figure the most anguishing visions and that’s for sure one of the main strengths of dark-ambient music. Some field recordings have a real important impact in this global sensation and I regret –even if it’s a bit cliché, there are no more passages with these voices.

– – – : I was pretty confident about this work and even if it clearly reveals great passages I prefer to hear both artists separately. Working together became a kind of ‘trademark’ between Cryo Chamber artists, but it sometimes affects the original spirit of each artist. I heard great releases between label mates, but I’m maybe missing some chemistry between Alphaxone and Dronny Darko.

Conclusion: If you like the work of both artists, this album will for sure awake your curiosity, but maybe not your fascination… I expected a bit more out of this work.

Best songs: “Immersion”, “Outlying”.

Rate: (6).

Bands: www.facebook.com/alphaxone / www.facebook.com/dronnydarko

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, soundscape.

Background/Info: “Stardust”-album resulted from the common efforts of Mehdi Saleh (Alphaxone) and Sasha Cats (ProtoU). It also is the meeting between one of the Iranian masters of dark-ambient and the Ukrainian Princess of dark-ambient & space music. The work reveals 7 tracks.

Content: “Stardust” comes closer to a dark soundscape format instead of traditional dark-ambient music. Mixing echoing noises and fragmented voices lost in a surreal space, the tracks reflect dense and obscure sound layers although mixed with some evasive passages.

The tracks have been meticulously built up, creating a fantasy-like sonic cataclysm characterized by compelling sound waves. A few iron-like noises empower the icy flavor recovering this opus.

+ + + : Alphaxone & ProtoU is a real interesting match between the oppressive dark-ambient style of Mehdi Saleh and the more evasive approach of Sasha Cats. Alphaxone became an established and renowned artist while female artist Sasha Cats definitely is becoming one of the newest sensations in a genre dominated by male musicians. “Stardust” is one more release between label mates, which becomes a trademark of Cryo Chamber. Musically the debut part of this work is absolutely worthy of examination and definitely an interesting experience, which I hope will be renewed.

– – – : My only reproach is that Cryo Chamber became a real prolific label –which is a positive evolution, but the releases are progressively sounding a bit too similar to each other. I’m missing a real climax on “Stardust”.

Conclusion: “Stardust” is an interesting meeting between artists hailing from different cultures, but sharing similar sonic interests. The album confirms the talent of Alphaxone and the growing potential of ProtoU.

Best songs: “Planemo Dreams”, “Observing Quasars”.

Rate: (7).

Bands: www.facebook.com/alphaxone / www.facebook.com/protoudrone

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

This week the dark ambient label Cryo Chamber is focusing on space ambient and for the occasion you can save 50% on the following digital downloads:

“Stardust” by the duo Alphaxone (Iran) & ProtoU (Ukraine)

The album mixes Alphaxone’s spacey synthesizers and ProtoUs’ filtered noise. The result is recommended for lovers of space ambient and old school science fiction soundtracks. Listen to it below.

“Locus Arcadia” by Council of Nine, God Body Disconnect, Flowers for Bodysnatchers and Randal Collier-Ford

“Locus Arcadia” is a split album between 4 artists: Council of Nine, God Body Disconnect, Flowers for Bodysnatchers and Randal Collier-Ford. This album focuses on a horror theme set on an abandon space station. For you who enjoy “Event Horizon” and similar space horror.

“Echoes from Outer Silence” by Alphaxone

This is the 4th album for Iranian Mehdi Saleh on the Cryo Chamber label. This space mystique album revolves around the interception of unknown signals from space. Field recordings from earth meet vibrations from deep space.

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

The dark ambient label Cryo Chamber has launched a sale on the releases of Alphaxone. Alphaxone is the project by Iranian musician Mehdi Saleh.

Saleh is no stranger to dark ambient with 7 full length albums behind him, of which Cryo Chamber serves the latest 3 endeavours. If you are into dark ambient soundscapes with a futuristic touch, then Alphaxone will be your thing for sure.

Alphaxone is Saleh’s first project, and was founded in the 2009. Since then he has been working on 3 other projects (Spuntic, Inner Place, Monolith Cycle).

You can find the albums which are discounted below or on the Bandcamp page of Cryo Chamber.

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 just informed us that Alphaxone is back with his third album on the label, “Absence of Motion”. Says the label about the release: “(It’s) a truly moving experience with smooth reverbs, multi-layered ambience and intricate subtle compositions. Alphaxone sets a new bar for himself when it comes to production quality, recommended for spacefaring audiophiles.”

The album is available in 24 bit FLAC from 25 August 2015 on via Bandcamp, you can pre-order it already.

Alphaxone Alphaxone is a dark ambient, soundscape music project by Mehdi Saleh from Iran.

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