Genre/Influences: Cinematographic, Dark-Ambient.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: This album resulted from the common efforts between Ukrainian Vladislav Sikach (SiJ) and Russian Ilya Fursov (Textere Oris). Both artists have already released different works on Cryo Chamber and previously released the album, “Reflections Under The Sky” (2016)

Content: This work is quite diversified, but mainly inspired by Cinematographic music. The album takes off with a heavy, atmospheric piece carried by guitar playing and a kind of trumpet sound. Buzzing sound waves supporting the track. Other pieces are characterized by delicate piano arrangements while there also is a kind of free-styled Jazzy experiment for dark souls. Another passage is driven by the magic of a duduk, injecting a Middle-Eastern touch to the work. Field recordings are running through the work. A few cuts are driven by slow rhythms.

+ + + : The opening track “Nevesomost” is an overwhelming piece of music and a perfect way to take off. I like the album’s diversity, which however sounds compact. The tracks are meticulously elaborated and I also have to mention the great chants and effects emerging on several cuts. The global atmosphere has something intimate although sometimes ominous and even becoming sensual through the addition of a slow cadence.

– – – : The album is maybe missing a total apotheosis, but we get a succession of cool and accomplished tracks instead; no reason to complaining here!

Conclusion: SiJ and Textere Oris have accomplished a meaningful and elaborated cinematographic experience, which I can only highly recommend.

Best songs: “Nevesomost”, “K Moryu”, “After Sunset” Kolokola”.

Rate: 7½.

Artists: www.facebook.com/sijmusic / www.facebook.com/textere.oris

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, experimental, cinematographic, soundscape.

Background/Info: Russian artists Vladislav Sikach and Sergey Epifanov aka Sij and Item Caligo, joined hands to release this common work revealing 8 compositions. Both artists are truly work-addicts having released an impressive number of productions during the past years. Sij is also used to working with other artists; the list is too long to mention all other names he collaborated with, but you’ll find bands such as Textere Oris, Paul Minesweeper, Creation VI, Particula, Astral & Shit ao.

Content: Sij & Item Caligo clearly deals with the darker parts of ambient music. This work is a kind of soundscape inviting the listener to visit a sonic universe made of imagery and horror themes. The composition is quite progressive, but remains often monotone although now and then joined by some extra sounds and noises. The dark and vibrating sound waves are finally moving towards a real dark final.

+ + + : “Queer Reminiscence” is the kind of album you need to listen to several times before you really can get into it. Using headphones could be a precious tool to distinguish the little noises and effects, which are in the background. It also reveals the experimental side of the work, which however is an essential aspect injecting a touch of diversity. Talking about diversity I especially like the kind of piano play emerging at “If Our Hope Not Fades”. This track is somewhat different from the rest and even recovers this work with a flavor of serenity. “Queer Reminiscence” is an intriguing work (also for its title), but mainly for its deep, vibrating buzzing sound waves.

– – – : The main point with this kind of music concepts is that it starts to get a little bit monotonous after a while. I’m often observing the same point, which is that this soundscape-style needs a visual backup.

Conclusion: Sij and Item Caligo are taking the listeners hostage to endure an obscure sonic trip where images have been replaced by deadly sonorities. This is a trip through the unknown so you never know how and when you will get out of it!

Best songs: “If Our Hope Not Fades”, So Terrible To Contemplate”.

Rate: (6).

Bands: www.facebook.com/sijmusic / www.facebook.com/Item–Caligo-1468831013363752

Label: http://ralignment.tictail.com / www.facebook.com/reversealignment

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.

Background/Info: Ukrainian artist Vladislav Sikach has released an impressive number of productions in a rather short lapse of time. “The Time Machine” is his first full length album released on Cryo Chamber. It’s a conceptual release about time, getting us back to ancient civilizations, but still with a look to the future.

Content: I think there’s no better approach than creating an evasive sensation to evoke the concept of time. That’s precisely the ambient format this album starts off with. Quite rapidly the atmospheres become darker and even reaching a state of horror by the addition of screams and other dark, resonating vibrations.

You now get the impression of walking through a sonic glasshouse and next visiting a surreal cabaret of cellar music. The work has been accomplished with an impressive sound canvas, mixing real instruments, electronics and the unavoidable field recordings. “The Time Machine” is a work you better can (re)discover by using headphones to fully enjoy the multiple little noise and subtle treatments this work has been made with.

+ + + : The main strength of SiJ remains the diversity of the composition. It definitely remains a dark-ambient inspired work, but accomplished with a wide arsenal of sounds and noises. I also like the sophisticated arrangements consisting of multiple little details, which is the reason why you better listen to the album again by using headphones. “The Time Machine” is dark and styled. There is some track on, which you dream away while later on you’ll have to join an imaginary and dark sound universe.

– – – : This album is maybe missing the usual ‘darkness’ to speak about a real dark-ambient release although these more evasive passages are quite enjoyable. The only regret is that I don’t find a total climax.

Conclusion: “The Time Machine” is an invitation to travel and that’s precisely what my mind has done. This is a fascinating voyage through surreal, dark visions, but also an accomplished piece of music.

Best songs: “In Ancient Times”, “Instantaneous”, “A Place To Live”.

Rate: (7).

Band: www.facebook.com/sijmusic

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

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

Background/Info: Cryo Chamber definitely appears to be under the influence of H.P. Lovecraft. The label already released the “Cthulhu”-collaboration featuring several label artists working together and achieving a great opus.

“Nyarlathotep” is a new collaboration between an impressive number of label formations. The story is about ‘A season of political and social upheaval. Mankind felt as if the world was at a breaking point, but no one wanted to speak of this. Seasons grew hotter. Our faith in the known gods faltered. The timing was ripe for the arrival of Nyarlathotep.’

It has been transposed into music by Kammarheit, God Body Disconnect, Dronny Darko, Ugasanie, Kristoffer Oustad, Alphaxone, Svartsinn, SiJ, Gydja, Atrium Carceri, Darkrad, Flowers For Bodysnatchers, Aegri Somnia, Randal Collier-Ford, Neizvestija, Metatron Omega, Wordclock, ProtoU, Northumbria, Sjellos, Sabled Sun, Council Of Nine, Cryobiosis, Apocryphos, Enmarta and Mystified. Three albums were accomplished.

Content: “Nyarlathotep 1” takes us away for a voyage throughout industrial metal sounds rapidly joined by dark, buzzing noise waves. The sound reveals heavy vibrations and the magic of an Eastern-like flute. We progressively join an imaginary world of obscure reverie, like entering a tenebrous universe featuring spooky voices. It also sounds like a misty sound universe made of disturbing passages accentuated by impressive sonic blasts.

“Nyarlathotep 2” definitely sounds more into the soundscape format. It’s not as heavy, but more into a dense and constant chilling atmosphere. It quite progressively evolves towards harder passages like echoing thunder in the background.

The final chapter and album “Nyarlathotep 3” takes off with a kind of signals from an imaginary, distant planet. It’s pretty astral-minded while reinforced by great sweeps and new buzzing sound waves. It moves towards a crescendo until reaching an absolute climax while the final part sounds pretty oppressive and tormenting, somewhat reminding to the early work of Lustmord.

+ + + : The realization of this work is absolutely amazing and rather unique. This is the kind of concept that wouldn’t have been possible without an artist taking the responsibility to create an interaction between all contributors. Simon Heath has been probably the one that made this enormous project come true. You don’t really have the impression of listening to a mishmash created by numerous artists. The work is pretty compact and homogenous featuring a great 1^st and 3^rd disc.

– – – : The release stands for more than 3 hours of sound and music so you really have to take your time listening to this work in the right circumstances. I wanted to discover the work without interruption, which took me several takes.

Conclusion: “Nyarlathotep” is a great conceptual release based upon an original idea, but it also reveals the ‘family’ approach of Cryo Chamber to unite all bands under the same wings.

Best songs: “Nyarlathotep 1”, “Nyarlathotep 3”, “Nyarlathotep 2”.

Rate: (8).

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

A 190 minute dark soundscape album recorded by 25 ambient artists to pay tribute to H.P. Lovecraft. That is in short what you can expect on the “Nyarlathotep” album which is going to be released September 27, 2016 as a 3CD album set (housed in an 8 panel full color digipak) and a high quality download via Cryo Chamber. Pre-orders for both formats are available now via the label’s Bandcamp page.

The release holds field recordings from the deepest dark corners of 4 continents. The release is a collaboration and huge undertaking involving 25 artists who linked their studios and sound for over a year so that they could work with each other.

Bands involved are: Kammarheit, God Body Disconnect, Dronny darko, Ugasanie, Kristoffer Oustad, Alphaxone, Svartsinn, SiJ, Gydja, Atrium Carceri, Darkrad, Flowers for Bodysnatchers, Aegri Somnia, Randal Collier-Ford, Neizvestija, Metatron Omega, Wordclock, ProtoU, Northumbria, Sjellos, Sabled Sun, Council of Nine, Cryobiosis, Apocryphos, Enmarta.

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

In 2014 Cryo Chamber got some of the most prominent dark ambient artists together to synchronize their studios during a year of collaboration creating the album “Cthulhu” in tribute to H.P. Lovecraft. It was followed up by the “Azathoth” collaboration album in 2015.

Following “Cthulhu and Azathoth”, Cryo Chamber now announces “Nyarlathotep”. This time 25 artists (!!!) synchronized their studios to create this tribute to H.P. Lovecraft. The album comes as a 3CD set and will soon be available for ordering via Cryo Chamber’s Bandcamp page.

The album will be officially out September 27, 2016. And to wet the appetite (and we’re pretty sure that serious dark ambient fans will be craving for this release) here’s already the list of bands which collaborated on the upcoming release:

• Kammarheit
• God Body Disconnect
• Dronny darko
• Ugasanie
• Kristoffer Oustad
• Alphaxone
• Svartsinn
• SiJ
• Gydja
• Atrium Carceri
• Darkrad
• Flowers for Bodysnatchers
• Aegri Somnia
• Randal Collier-Ford
• Neizvestija
• Metatron Omega
• Wordclock
• ProtoU
• Northumbria
• Sjellos
• Sabled Sun
• Council of Nine
• Cryobiosis
• Apocryphos
• Enmarta
• Mystified

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 Moscow based Textere Oris and the Ukrainian project SiJ have joined up to record the field recording focused release “Reflections under the Sky”. The duo sees the album released via the dark ambient label Cryo Chamber. You can expect a merger of warm tape noise fused recordings and analogue acoustics.

SiJ is an ambient music project founded on March 27th 2011 by the self-taught artist Vladislav Sikach from Sevastopol (Ukraine). SiJ uses a large number of instruments such as various guitars, drums and synthesizers as well as handmade mechanical or electromechanical sound devices to create his sound.

Recently SiJ started to use field recordings made in various places from urban streets to abandoned military and industrial facilities next to using tools for creating SiJ’s soundscapes such as VST-technologies, digital sound processing and CSound sound-synthesizing programming language. He collaborated cross scene with such diverse projects and artists as Creation VI, RMSS Systems Inc., Sergey Gabbasov, Luís Antero, Particula, WMRI, Ptarkh, Astral & Shit among others. He has also performed at the Crimea branch of II Ambient Music Fest and Finland Open-Air in 2014.

Textere Oris is the project of the Moscow based producer Ilya Fursov. He has been incorporating various musical elements in his work, from dark ambient over worldbeat to spoken word and field recordings.

Below you can listen to the album which is available as an HQ audio download and as a CD digipak via Bandcamp.

Below is the video for the album’s opening track “Near the Dam”.

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