Genre/Influences: Experimental, Cinematic, Dark-Ambient.

Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl.

Background/Info: Ronny Engmann (RNGMNN) and Karina Dorin met in Berlin and collaborated together to finally unleash “Never Sleep Again”. The work features eight songs composed by Engmann joined by Dorin’s vocals.

Content: If you’re familiar with the sound universe of RNGMNN you’re rapidly going to recognize his dark and obscure world filled with buzzing noises, numerous effects but also with dreamy passages. Karina Dorin’s vocals accentuate the sphere created by the music while some passages are more like injecting an extra sonic effect instead of classical vocals.

+ + + : I recommend playing this album loud or by using headphones to notice the multiple, little, sonic details and effects this work is made of. Together with the vocals it creates an intimate sound universe. There’re a few amazing cuts featured like the patiently built up “Touch” and the last cut “The Clocks Turns Backwards” which sounds like a sonic thriller. Another cool track is “Lure Of The Siren” for its low, resonating, sound waves and ghost-like vocals featured in a Drone atmosphere.

– – – : I regret some tracks are a bit short in duration. The vocals are cool but I think even more vocals would be great.

Conclusion: “Never Sleep Again” is an interesting and successful collaboration between two artists revealing a true chemistry.

Best songs: “The Clocks Turns Backwards”, “Touch”, “Lure Of The Siren”, “Reaching For A Hand That Isn’t There”.

Rate: 7½.

Artists: https://1mhz.org / www.facebook.com/KarinaDorinChoir

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

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, Cinematic.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Two years after RGNMNN last album “The False Dawn” we get a revisited edit of the work featuring collaborations with other artists.

Content: The work sounds as an addition to the successful “False Dawn”-album. The tracks remain driven through Dark-Ambient influences and Cinematic passages but still by inhibited atmospheres. Quite logically the album is more varied than the original edit. Line Spectrum, Nam-Khar + Sielwolf, Sysselmann, Gydja, Tineidae, Gdanian, Onasander and Argyre Planitia collaborated on this opus by achieving reworked or remixed versions.

+ + + : Remixes and reworked versions by other artists are quite unusual for this kind of music and scene so in the end it’s pretty innovative. The reworked edits and remixes are holding on the original spirit of RNGMNN while adding a little extra. I enjoyed the apocalyptic reworked edit of “The Dawning Of Falsehood” by Nam-Khar and Sielwolf but also the remix of “Confusion & Desillusions” by Sysselmann, the evasive reworked version of “Bleak And Empty” by Tineidae and the Industrial/Drone-like “Down South”-remix by Gdanian.

– – – : This work also celebrates the fiftieth release by Winter-Light featuring a great artist, an interesting concept in this genre of music but definitely not the best album of Ronny Engmann. The original “False Dawn”-album remains better.

Conclusion: An interesting- and surprising addition to the “False Dawn”-album featuring a cool selection of artists.

Best songs: “The Dawning Of Falsehood – Sielwolf & Nam-Khar Re-Shape”,  “Confusion & Desillusions –  Sysselmann Remix”, “Bleak And Empty – Tineidae Rework”, “Down South – Gdanian Mix”.

Rate: 7.

Artist: https://1mhz.org

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

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: Ronny Engmann (RNGMNN) strikes back with a new album, which is the German artist’s second opus released by Winter-Light.

Content: RNGMNN moves on the desolate atmosphere revealed at his previous album “Arctic Interference”. The tracks have been progressively built up, revealing a Cinematographic approach mixed with isolated drones. You now and then will notice subtle, icy blasts, which are resulting in a few true climaxes. The tracklist is little by little evolving till reaching an impression of desolation and horror (cf. “Up North”).

+ + + : The front cover stands for the feeling of desolation and despair. The composition is meticulously worked out and elaborated; the tracks revealing a detailed canvas of noises and effects. It all together creates a sphere of nearby disaster, a kind of sonic apocalypse, which is mainly emerging at “Fragile Ground” and “Up North”. The drones in the background are accentuating the visual strength of the work. The composition is pretty efficient and will definitely give you goosebumps.

– – – : The title track, which also is the opener of the album is not exactly the most accomplished and efficient cut of the work.

Conclusion: RNGMNN is clearly confirming its growing status as a talented Dark-Ambient artist.

Best songs: “Fragile Ground”, “Up North”, “Nebula”, “Down South”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: https://1mhz.org / www.facebook.com/rngmnndarkambient

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

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: Dark-ambient, experimental.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Ronny Engmann aka RNGMNN has been very prolific in 2019. Next to a collaborative album with Dronny Darko (Cryo Chamber) he also released an album on Noctivagant (cf. “The Devil’s Yell”) plus this other album on Winter-Light.

Content: The album has been recorded over several years and as the title indicates, it has been inspired by the splendor of the Arctic environment. That’s why this album could have been released on Glacial Movements as well. The German artist takes us away on a dark and relaxing trip made of field recordings and sonic manipulation. Echoing sounds and drones are accentuating the atmosphere, which has something solemn and yet intimate. There’s a progressive evolution in the tracklist reaching a kind of sonic cataclysm during the last cuts where you’ll hear a kind of exploding sounds. The album finally ends like it has all started; with a prosperous, mysterious track.

+ + + : Ronny Engmann found the right balance between his electronic loops and the field recordings. I especially like the deep, vibrating passages accentuated by drones and crispy noises. There’re a few cool cuts in the midst of the work, but things are reaching an ultimate climax at “Frozen Magma” and “Icicle Ridge Trail”. Both cuts are really overwhelming and with some imagination you can figure the impressive Arctic ice mass… which is unfortunately, but surely getting down. 

– – – : I can’t say the opening cuts are hesitant, but they rather feel as a warm-up for the denser compositions coming next.

Conclusion: RNGMNN has accomplished a noticeable work, which is slowly, but surely reaching its top at the final part of the work. This is a fascinating ambient work.

Best songs: “Frozen Magma”, “Icicle Ridge Trail”, “Perceptual Alternation”, “Waves Of Frost”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: http://1mhz.org / www.facebook.com/rngmnndarkambien

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

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, soundscape, dark-ambient.

Background/Info: “Sector Hydra” resulted from the common efforts between Ukrainian artist Oleg Puzan (aka Dronny Darko) and German artist Ronny Engmann (aka RNGMNN). They both like collaborative concepts and found their own concept inspired by an imaginary and pure sci-fi ‘immersive expedition to abandoned alien assembly lines’.  

Content: The work totally fits with the sound and approach of Cryo Chamber. It’s a cinematographic experience carried by dark sound waves, obscure atmospheres and multiple field recordings. The work also features discrete little bleeps accentuating the astral dimension of the work.

+ + + : This work feels pretty intimate and accomplished with numerous little details. I really get the impression both artists don’t spare any effort to create a well-thought and intelligent production. “Sector Hydra” is the vision of a sonic labyrinth where you better walk through by using headphones to fully feel the impact of the sophisticated sound construction.

– – – : Even if I enjoyed this album, it doesn’t really bring anything new while the global sound approach is pretty similar on all tracks.

Conclusion: It all feels like Dronny Darko and RNGMNN are pretty complementary so I can only hope they’ll renew this experience instead of again working with other collaborators.

Best songs: “Incubation”, “The Engine Room”.

Rate: (7½).

Artists: www.facebook.com/dronnydarko / http://1mhz.org /  www.facebook.com/rngmnndarkambient

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, soundscape, dark-ambient.

Background/Info: “Sector Hydra” resulted from the common efforts between Ukrainian artist Oleg Puzan (aka Dronny Darko) and German artist Ronny Engmann (aka RNGMNN). They both like collaborative concepts and found their own concept inspired by an imaginary and pure sci-fi ‘immersive expedition to abandoned alien assembly lines’.  

Content: The work totally fits with the sound and approach of Cryo Chamber. It’s a cinematographic experience carried by dark sound waves, obscure atmospheres and multiple field recordings. The work also features discrete little bleeps accentuating the astral dimension of the work.

+ + + : This work feels pretty intimate and accomplished with numerous little details. I really get the impression both artists don’t spare any effort to create a well-thought and intelligent production. “Sector Hydra” is the vision of a sonic labyrinth where you better walk through by using headphones to fully feel the impact of the sophisticated sound construction.

– – – : Even if I enjoyed this album, it doesn’t really bring anything new while the global sound approach is pretty similar on all tracks.

Conclusion: It all feels like Dronny Darko and RNGMNN are pretty complementary so I can only hope they’ll renew this experience instead of again working with other collaborators.

Best songs: “Incubation”, “The Engine Room”.

Rate: (7½).

Artists: www.facebook.com/dronnydarko / http://1mhz.org /  www.facebook.com/rngmnndarkambient

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