Genre/Influences: Cinematic, Dark-Ambient.

Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl.

Background/Info: Set up in 2018 as a collaborative project between Russian duo Sádon (who already worked together with Treha Sektori) and French artist Romain Barbot aka Saåad (who as label manager released early Sádon’s material) this international project last year released this album by Cyclic Law. The work is inspired by the work of poet Donat Mavleev.

Content: Five tracks have been composed, revealing an elaborate work mixing Cinematic passages together with a Dark-Ambient style. The songs feature delicate guitar playing and mysterious flute sounds. Voices and chants are now resonating in the background and then becoming more explicit and wafting. The tracks have been progressively built up.

+ + + : You don’t really get the feeling to discover a collaborative work between 2 projects. This work feels like a compact and homogeneous production. The compositions have been progressively built up, reaching a mysterious level created by the production of the vocals while reinforced by the sound of authentic instruments. I’ve a preference for “Омут”, which next to its crescendo progression also reflects a very cold sphere.

– – – : This is not the most ‘typical’ Cyclic Law production although “– Мреть – Наутро Ночь” reveals familiar influences. You need a few listens to really get into the album. 

Conclusion: Saáadon brings us an enigmatic work with a strong visual appeal or at least made to empower visual content.

Best songs: “Омут”, “Край”.

Rate: 7.

Artists: www.facebook.com/wearesadon / www.facebook.com/saaadmusic

Label: www.cycliclaw.com / www.facebook.com/cycliclaw

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, Cinematographic.

Format: Digital, CD, Cassette.

Background/Info: Muhd is a project driven by Samuel Vaney (still involved with Fargue, Cortez, Consor) and who previously released an album together with Treha Sektori, who also did the artwork of “Dilogia”. This is the first album of Muhd, which was originally released on cassette format on BLWBCK in 2014 and now re-released by Cyclic Law on CD.

Content: “Dilogia” takes the listener away in an imaginary universe of darkness. The composition has something minimal and definitely Cinematographic. The sound formula mainly consists of long, monotone sound waves creating a dark mood. The last track is more elaborated, featuring melodic string and bleeping sequences.

+ + + : The best part of the work comes right at the end; “Kychtym” sounds different and especially more sophisticated than the rest of the tracklist. This album is clearly a Cinematographic approach, being the right music to accompany a visual performance like theatre, dance, film, photography…

– – – : Without this visual performance, the album is slowly stagnating in long during, monotone pieces.

Conclusion: “Dilogia” is not exactly the album I was waiting for to see re-edited on CD, but it might appeal for lovers of Dark-Cinematographic experiences.

Best songs: “Kychtym”, “Severing”.

Rate: 6.

Artist: www.facebook.com/muhdmusic

Label: www.cycliclaw.com / www.facebook.com/cycliclaw

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, Vinyl.

Background/Info: Originally released in 2017 on cassette format by Breathe Plastic Records, “Symphony Of Dying” is a somewhat conceptual work between Russian artist Sádon and French artist Treha Sektori. The album is ‘intended to transpire what could be termed as, ‘the essence of death’. The first and fourth tracks have been composed by Sádon while both left cuts resulted from the common efforts between the artists. This re-release is also featuring one extra cut between both musicians.

Content: Honestly I was not familiar with the work of Sádon, but both tracks composed by this project reveal an interesting mix between dark atmospheres and vocal effects creating a kind of lamentation. The tracks have been progressively built up, which is also true for the tracks made by Sádon and Treha Sektori together. You’ll discover passages with slow percussion parts and even a surprising, dark reverie constructed with heavy sounds.

+ + + : The tracks are dark, sometimes even a bit tormenting although touched by a graceful dreamy touch. It creates a delicious cinematic style, which comes mainly true in the bonus track between both artists. But the real good surprise are the tracks from Sádon. I discovered a fascinating project with a huge potential. Especially the “Shadow”track has something elevating and mysterious. The vocal effects are really cool as well.

– – – : I get the feeling there’s even more potential hiding inside this album than what came out; I’m missing an apotheosis.

Conclusion: “Symphony Of Dying” is a collaboration that makes sense. Treha Sektori has a nose to find the right partners to work with.

Best songs: “Spear Over Our Heads”, “Shadow”, “Elimination”.

Rate: (7½).

Artists: www.facebook.com/wearesadon / www.facebook.com/trehasektori

Label: www.cycliclaw.com / www.facebook.com/cycliclaw

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: ‘Dehn Sora’ (real name Vincent Petitjean) is now active under the Treha Sektori moniker for more than ten years. He mainly released his work on Cyclic Law, and also on the Belgian label Consouling Sounds. He likes working together with other artists (Barst, Innerwoud, Muhd…), but of course still releases solo-material. This album is a fine selection from previously unreleased songs that have been composed for  film and video, and tracks that were originally released on vinyl, compilations etc.

Content: The title track opening the album was originally released on the mini-CD + book “The Sensation Of Being One Of them” featuring Muhd. It’s pretty representative for the obscure sound universe of this French artist who next to music is also involved with visual arts. Quite progressively we’re walking through a bombastic sound universe, sometimes joined by whispering, ghost-like voices and a constant mysterious and anguished atmospheres.

+ + + : Treha Sektori is something like a spider; he patiently composed his tracks like spinning a web. Quite progressively you’ll hear new sounds and noises joining in. The percussion parts are an essential aspect, reinforcing the industrial influence. I also enjoy the whispering voices, which are reinforcing the feeling of disaster hanging over the work. It also is a perfect disc to discover with headphones. It will give you a better view about the multiple little details and noises the tracks have been composed with.

– – – : I like the global progression running through the song, which moves crescendo, but which is sometimes missing a truly climax. Let’s not forget this album is a selection of mainly previously released material, but I’m sure Treha Sektori has more potential to discover.

Conclusion: This album looks more like a collector’s item for the fans of Treha Sektori, but it also is an opportunity to discover a fascinating sound universe.

Best songs: “The Sense Of Dust And Sheer”, “Onverth Emh”, “Sahe Fernah”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.facebook.com/trehasektori

Label: www.cycliclaw.com / www.facebook.com/cycliclaw

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: Neraterrae is an Italian project set up by Alessio Antoni. The debut album “The Substance Of Perception” is a special one as it features collaborations with Northaunt, Alexei Tegin (Phurpa), New Risen Throne & Treha Sektori, Infinexhuma & Taphephobia, Treha Sektori & Xerxes The Dark, Угасание and Flowers For Bodysnatchers. Each song features one or more artists.

Content: The songs are clearly driven by dark-ambient atmospheres, but also with other elements such as experimental sound treatments, field recordings and neo-classic arrangements. The guest artists clearly inject their own touch to the work, which is sometimes easily recognizable.

+ + + : For a debut album Neraterrae has accomplished a real tour de force.Getting such an impressive list of recognized artists in the genre contributing to your album is for sure something really special. It will catch the attention of numerous dark-ambient fans. Content-wise I noticed a few cool songs such as “Becoming The Nightmare” featuring  New Risen Throne & Treha Sektori. There’s an oppressive atmosphere hanging over the track while the sound treatments reinforce the obscure side of the track. Other noticeable cuts are “Beyond” featuring Угасание and “Echoing stars” featuring Flowers For Bodysnatchers. On the last mentioned song you’ll easily recognize the typical piano-arrangements, which became a trademark of Flowers For Bodysnatchers. 

– – – : I’m missing some cohesion between some of the tracks, which sometimes gives me the impression listening to a compilation. Some songs/collaborations left me rather skeptical for missing a truly apotheosis.

Conclusion: The collaborative concept behind this album is just great, but I expected a bit more out of the final result.

Best songs: “Beyond”, “Becoming The Nightmare”, “Echoing Stars”.

Rate: (6½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/neraterrae

Label: www.cycliclaw.com / www.facebook.com/cycliclaw

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, neo-classic.

Background/Info: “Haven” resulted from the common efforts between Pieter-Jan Van Assche (Innerwoud) on double bass and soprano Astrid Stockman. Most of you are probably more familiar with the work of Innerwoud who worked together with artists such as Barst and Treha Sektori.

Content: This album has something of an artistic intercourse between the melancholia and reverie of the double bass and the magic of Astrid’s vocals. Both Belgian artists are simply complementary accomplishing a deeply artistic work. But the album is much more than simply neo-classic music. It also has something experimental as some extra noises have been added here and there.

+ + + : The double bass is not the same as a cello, but there’s a similar emotion coming out. This melancholia creates a delicious symbiosis with the artistically trained vocals of Astrid Stockman. The songs have this transcendental power that makes you forget all daily misery. You feel like you have entered into another world, which is dark, but offers feelings of relief.

– – – : The album features 4 cuts. Only one single track (cf. “Elegy III”) can’t convince me; it’s short instrumental cut without real interest.

Conclusion: Music is emotion and the emotion I feel when listening to “Haven” is sadness. And believe it or not, but sadness can become beautiful and even deeply artistic.

Best songs: “Elegy IV”, “Elegy I”, “Elegy II”.

Rate: (8).

Artists: www.innerwoud.com / www.facebook.com/innerwoud / www.astridstocman.be / www.facebook.com/astridstockmansopraan

Label: http://consouling.be / www.facebook.com/ConsoulingSounds

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, drone.

Background/Info: French composer ‘Dehn Sora’ active under the Treha Sektori moniker has already released a few number of productions during the past few years. “Severh Sehenh” was originally released on CD format on Cyclic Law in 2014 featuring one single track. This album has been now re-released on Consouling Sounds on vinyl format. Notice by the way this reissue is a collaboration between Consouling Sounds and Grains Of Sand Records.

Content: “Severh Sehenh” was conceived as a long duration single track although featuring multiple chapters. The main element of the work is the constant frightening atmosphere hanging over the work. This eternal coldness has been created by icy sound blasts, buzzing sound waves and a few spoken whispers. These ingredients have been reinforced by multiple percussion and drone parts, which sometimes push the state of fear towards an ultimate point. But the work also features different passages that are more animated.

+ + + : “Severh Sehenh” sounds like a sonic puzzle, which always moves on exploring new elements. You sometimes might have the impression that the darkest part is over till a new gate is opening to welcome a new nightmarish passage. But the most poignant and tormenting experience is yet to come and has been progressively built up at the final part of the record. Treha Sektori takes us on a murderous ride that is gaining intensity and volume at the real last minute to finally join an ultimate climax of angst. It’s an album with a strong visual appeal.

– – – : Treha Sektori is not a ‘classical’ dark-ambient formation and that’s maybe the reason why it’s not that easy to label this project. I’m rather sure it’s more a positive aspect, but maybe not catching the attention of all dark-ambient lovers.

Conclusion: I like the meticulous writing of this work, which constantly progress till finding its apogee at a fantastic sonic trip through imaginary places.

Best songs: “Severh Sehenh”.

Rate: (8).

Band: www.facebook.com/pages/Treha–Sektori/168083263232019

Label: http://consouling.be / www.facebook.com/ConsoulingSounds

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, dark-ambient, cinematographic, industrial, ritual.

Background/Info: Italian label Unexplained Sound Group is used to familiarizing us with compilations based on the underground scene of one ‘target’ country. The label now invites us to visit the experimental scene from my own country featuring 26 (!) Belgian bands. The sampler saw the light of day thanks to the contribution of Peter Verwimp who’s active in different formations and featured on this new series by Ashtoreth.

Bands: Barts + Treha Sektori, Yannick Franck, Ripit, Hybryds, Ashtoreth, TraumaSutra, Fissures, Innerwoud, Aponogeton, Owann, TZII, Stratosphere ao.

Content: The titled indicates a vision on the ‘experimental’ scene, but this sampler has much more to offer. It’s a travel throughout the most hidden and unknown projects active on the Belgian underground soil. The common ground between all bands is the dark creation of their work, which can be dark-ambient for some, somewhat ritual for others, into cinematographic exposures for some, even minimal-electro like for a few ones and definitely experimental for the rest.

+ + + : The strength of this sampler is its diversity in styles, and also the discovery of unknown bands. You really have to be addicted to experimental underground music to have ever heard of all those bands. Well, that’s precisely what makes the compilation essential for people like me. It’s a kind of sonic documentary revealing several sonic treasures. The biggest treasures –even in music, are not always that far to find. It would take me too long analyzing all of the bands, but I’ve been seduced by anguishing opener by Barst + Treha Sektori, the haunting style of Yannick Franck, the minimal approach from Ripit, the always ritual-sounding Hybryds, the pure filmographic Innerwoud, the subtle treatments from TZII, the minimalism and oriental driven Massimo Amato + Cheri Gao + Peter Wullen and another experiment by Trauma Terrestrial.

– – – : This kind of sampler remains a truly experimental release accessible for a very restricted number of music lovers. Some cuts are very experimental and not always my cup of tea while 26 songs is a sonic orgy you can better avoid if you’re not into this extreme underground format.

Conclusion: Unexplained Sound Group is not the most familiar label from the underground scene although one of the most interesting ones I got the opportunity to discover. This is a label inciting the listener to purchase new bands discovered on this kind of conceptual sampler.

Best bands: Hybryds, Barst + Treha Sektori, Innerwoud, TZII.

Rate: (7½).

Label: www.facebook.com/unexplainedsoundsgroup

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, ritual.

Background/Info: Ukrainian artist  Andrzew Gladushevskiy joined hands together with Malignant Records to unleash the second official album of Monocube. The work features 9 cuts and reveals a few interesting features from Apocryphos, Treha Sektori and Asmorod.

Content: The dark atmosphere hanging over this work rapidly conjures images of isolation and other horror atmospheres. Typical obscure sound treatments, icy sweeps, ghost-like growls and I presume field recordings are the main ingredients of this poignant work.

The work progressively moves towards more overwhelming cuts resulting in two noticeable final cuts featuring first Treha Sektori and next Asmorod.

+ + + : Good ambient music always has this magic visual appeal and it’s not that different here. But “The Rituals” also reveals great sound treatments, which remains dark and sometimes moves into ritual passages. From the monotonous, but ghost-like sounds towards heavier sonic treatments accentuated by some drones to finally end in a pure cinematographic approach this album has a lot to offer. It’s an elaborated opus with a great finale and especially the tracks together with Treha Sektori and Asmorod.

– – – : I like the progression in the tracklist although some cuts from the debut are missing the real evil spirit from the final part. I expected a bit more out of the collaboration with Aprocryphos.

Conclusion: Monocube sounds like the architect of an imaginary obscure area, which quickly becomes a sonic temple of evil forces.

Best songs: “Father Fenris”, “Anthracite Glow feat. Treha Sektori”, “Drowned Sun”, “Initiation feat. Asmorod”.

Rate: (7½).

Band: www.facebook.com/monocube.official

Label: www.malingnantrecords.com / www.facebook.com/malignantrecords

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.

Content: We know Treha Sektori as a talented dark-ambient music project, but Dehn Sora also is a graphic designer. This EP is part of the book-release “The Sensation Of Being One Of Them”.

The visual- and main part of the book features the illustrated work of Dehn Sora, which was realized for exhibitions and the commissioned work for different music labels (Cyclic Law being one on the list). I got the opportunity to see a few illustrations from the book, which clearly reveals the dark and sometimes tormented, but still artistic universe of this French artist.

The CD was composed for the book and serves as a strong sonic support. It reveals a composition of 25 minutes featuring the Swiss guest artist Sam Vaney (Muhd) plus guest vocalist Kristoffer Rygg (Ulver).

“The Sense Of Dust And Sheer” moves in between classical dark-ambient influences and industrial rhythms. From start on you get lost into a cold and frightening universe animated by spooky, whispering vocals. The work has been clearly composed to accompany a visual work. The illustrations of Dehn Sora totally reflect the haunting sound atmospheres. Some passages are a little bit into a kind of imaginary, obscure rite. The dense sound waves create a suffocating experience.

This composition clearly sounds like having been made as a totally accomplished piece of music. Both, the visual- and music part of the work are complementary and like reinforcing each other. The music moves towards this enigmatic point where a dream turns into a real nightmarish experience from, which you rapidly get the impression there’s no real way back.

Conclusion: Treha Sektori confirms its great writing skills, which were already revealed on previous albums. I can imagine this kind of release must be a kind of consecration for this artist.

Best songs: “The Sense Of Dust And Sheer”.

Rate: (DP:8)DP.

Band: http://trehasektori.com / www.facebook.com/trehasektori

Label: www.cycliclaw.com / www.facebook.com/cycliclaw

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 Fall the Bucharest-based ambient-drone project Environments will release its 5th studio album, “Ascuns”, via Dunk!Records, a Belgian label known for its post rock orientation. The Romanian trio’s latest album is a blend of ambient, experimental and electronic music and it will also be presented live during a European tour. You can listen to “Ascuns”, which will also be the title track for Environment’s new record below.

The “Ascuns” album will be available on CD from November 14th on. On the day of the release, the band will perform at the Control Club in Bucharest supported by French artist Treha Sektori, who has performed with names such as Neurosis or Amenra.

Environments is the trio consisting of Ștefan Panea, Alex Ghiță and Marius Costache. The album was recorded, mixed and mastered in the Bucharest-based Studio148 by Marius Costache, who previously also worked with bands like Ministry of Wolves , Lake of Tears or Amenra.

Check out the band on Bandcamp.

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