Moloch - Abgrund Meines Wesens

[Click on image for Official Moloch website]

 

Country - Ukraine

Composer - Sergiy Gordiuk / Сергий Гордиюк (A.K.A Pr. Sergiy Fjordsson)

Released - September 2012

 

- Tracklist -

1. Als die abstrakten Spiegel des Universums vom Puls des menschlichen Lebens zerstört wurden

2. Wo die Winde für immer weinen

3. Berge umhüllt von uraltem Nebel

4. Abgrund meines Wesens

5. Die letzten Strahlen der Sonne verglimmen in der Kälte der Gleichgültigkeit

6. Im dornigen Zwielicht schwand das Leben
7. Graue Wolken unter dem Meer
8. Ein strenger Winter kommt

- Review -
Now don't worry, I haven't changed this to become a Black Metal blog. Yes, Moloch is well-known in Black Metal circles, but Sergiy's most recent releases, this album, and the release before (Abstrakter Wald) are full Ambient albums.

Not much in the way of complexity, Sergiy used his Ambient skills to create more of a background atmosphere, Black Metal usually taking centre stage. He has done away with his guitar and kit on this release, and lets this beautiful soundscape unfurl with no obstacles. Like I said, it isn't ground-breaking, and you may get a little bored with the repetitiveness of it, but in reality there isn't anything overly wrong with the concept and composition of the release. It depicts a wintery landscape which Moloch has perfected.

Recommended if you really like Dark Ambient music, or a diehard Moloch fan (which I am), The rest of you can still get it, to increase your music list (it will blend right in).
 



Diagnose: Lebensgefahr - Transformalin

[Click on image for official Diagnose: Lebensgefahr page]

Country - Sweden

Composer - Mikael Nilsson (A.K.A Nattramn)

Released - 2006

- Tracklist -

1. The Level Beyond Human

2. Transformalin

3. Flaggan På Halv Stång I Drömmens Västergård

4. Upon the High Horse of Selfdestruction

5. Situazion: Lebensgefahr

6. Anoxi

 7. The Last Breath of Tellus

8. Mani vs Apati

9. Tillsammans Men Ensam i Stillhetens Kapell

10. Obducentens Dröm

11. De Vårdar Mig in I Döden

- Review -

One of the most controversial stories in music spawned this highly unusual album, I'm not going to explain it, just to tell you that this was by a notorious Black Metal musician while he was in a mental asylum.

Each song represents the fragmented mind of a mental patient, and each song has its own story. In terms of music, the composition is all over the place, covering many different genres such as Drone, Industrial and Dark Ambient, the album never loses interest. Mainly composed on one synthesizer (all he was given at hospital I guess) Nattramn is able to competently create ethereal and disturbingly good soundtracks through different effects and plug ins (Obducentens Dröm is the best synth/piano sound I've ever heard).

Sampling from movies given to him from the AV room, books he's read from the tiny hospital library and of course his own deranged head give so much into the music. He even decides to sing in some songs (if you can call it singing, just check out the last track).

Many of you will think I've gone mad myself calling this a good ambient album, but the story behind it, and the cold atmosphere itself contained within, of the music give it a terrifying new dimension.

Easily my favourite Dark Ambient album of all time. No contest.

Atomtrakt - Sperrstelle Nordost

[Click on image for official Atomtrakt page]

 

Country - Germany

Composer - Christoph Ziegler

Released - 2010

- Tracklist -
Blut Unde Erst
Befreiungsschlacht
Ins Verderben
Über Grenzen Hinweg
Flug in Den Tod
Stunde Null
Trauermarsch

- Review -
Christoph Ziegler is already known for his main project Vinterriket, mixing elements of flawless Dark Ambient with Black Metal distortion, but his other project coming into the spotlight is Atomtrakt. While Vinterriket is nature-based, this endeavour is war/conflict-based.

Almost Neo-classical in description, war-like drum patterns, followed closely with amazing ambient barrage. German (what I guess) dialogue throughout the songs give another element not usual in most Ambient bands, the pieces feel stronger, more powerful, almost a inspirational to go on in the music. Deutsch language is beautifully harsh and during World War 1 and 2, a cold reminder of the power the country was in, Atomtrakt reflect this element so well through the music. Sampling of war has been done well, and is not overused, adding again to the cold atmosphere perceiving war-torn Germany. And Christoph himself adds deep, shouty vocals, which is a nice surprise, and fits well with the dialogue.

Beugen Sie unten zum allmächtig Atomtrakt!