Vidna Obmana – Memories Compiled: Three Tapes (Album

Genre/Influences: Cinematic, Experimental.

Format: Digital, 3CD.

Background/Info: Zoharum moves on releasing the back catalogue from the Belgian master of Ambient and Experimental music, Vidna Obmana. This work brings three ‘early’ albums together which were originally released on cassette. “Gathering In Frozen Beauty” (1989), “Near The Flogging Landscape” (1990) and “Refined On Gentle Cloud” (1991) have been compiled as three discs.

Content: Dirk Serries experimented with different genres during his Vidna Obmana years, but he now brings us back to evasive although ominous Ambient music. The tracks are progressively built up with little extra details. The 2^nd and especially the 3^rd disc became ultra-Cinematic-like which is accentuated by strings.

+ + + : It’s an opportunity to (re)discover rare and somewhat forgotten work from this artist who can look back at an impressive discography. But it’s also fascinating to realize this music was composed in the late 80s and early 90s. Back in time this music clearly had something visionary. The albums create a compact and complementary production which is released in an artistic digipak.

– – – : Some passages are a bit monotonous and after a while the work becomes a bit predictable. This is stuff for the heaviest fans.

Conclusion: The visionary side of Vidna Obmana is masterly exposed by this new re-release.

Best songs: “Into Gray Divides”, “For Ancient Crossed”, “Onto A Broken Path”.

Rate: 7.

Artist: www.dirkserries.com /

www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063709950512

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

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