Here are the dark ambient albums that we at This is Darkness have been listening to this month – some are new releases, but a few are older gems we’ve just (re)discovered.
Please check these out by clicking on the Bandcamp link next to each review (or by clicking on the BNDCMPR link at the bottom of the page), and please consider supporting the featured artists. Enjoy!
Jettenbach – a voicenote to the hierophant
I’m a huge fan of Dragon & Jettenbach, so I was delighted when I heard that Jettenbach was releasing a new solo EP! a voicenote to the hierophant is a deliciously dark and ominous dark ambient album with seriously industrial / harsh electronic undertones. Subtle and melancholic in places, aggressive and angry in others, this is one of those albums where each and every listen is an absolute joy. Very highly recommended for fans of dark ambient with an industrial / electronic edge!
PATASONUS – TENEBRIS
The latest release from London based Patasonus is TENEBRIS, an album of experimental soundscapes that skilfully combines elements of drone, dark ambient, and electronica. This is yet another impressive album from this talented musician, with each track offering something different, while also retaining the overall feel and vibe of the album. I’ve had this on repeat play since I first heard this, and it gets better with each and every listen. Awesome stuff!
Nerthus – Silent Monuments
The latest release from the ever amazing Eighth Tower Records is this wonderful album of post-industrial dark ambient. Inspired by a passion for abandoned industrial facilities photography, this album explores abandoned industrial complexes, with each track perfectly capturing the sense of desolation, isolation, crumbling decay, and rusting machinery. This is one of those albums to lose yourself in as you lie back on the sofa with the lights out. Absolutely breath-taking.
IO – Frontispiece,”What is Man!”
The latest track from sound and visual artist IO is Frontispiece,“What is Man!” . Inspired by the works of the English poet, painter and typographer, William Blake, this is a haunting dark ambient / dark industrial piece with evolving drones and an underlying sense of melancholy that perfectly captures the human experience with all of its vices, follies, virtues and strengths. Another impressive track from a musician who never fails to deliver!
David Lee Myers, Sonologyst, Lars Bröndum – Unus et Trinus
Now this is very cool – an album featuring 3 incredibly talented musicians! With individual offerings from each artist, as well as the wonderful collaborative track, Unus (created from exchanges of samples, audio experiments, music segments), this is an album that cannot fail to impress. The music here is dark ambient, with an experimental edge that take things to the next level. If you’re looking for something that pushes the boundaries of the genre, while retaining the essence of it, this is an album that you simply have to check out. Fantastic!
Hiemal – Alone in Temporary Places
Regular readers will know that I’m a huge fan of Hiemal, and that I’m always excited when he releases something new. As with previous albums, Alone in Temporary Places is a feast of slowly evolving drone filled soundscapes – with each track providing a mediative listening experience that is second to none. If you haven’t listened to Hiemal before (and if not, why not?!), this is a great place to start – so do yourself a massive favour and check this out now!
RDKPL – noitavoNC
Inner Demons Records is one of my favourite labels, consistently releasing high quality experimental and noise music, so I’m always thrilled when one of their new releases comes to my attention. And noitavoNC, by Czech noisemaker RDKPL, is another awesome release – a 4 track album of noisy drone with elements of post-industrial added to the mix, with each and every listen offering something new. highly recommended for fans of the noisier side of things. Noise-tastic!
Orquesta Drone Tropical – Goblins
Goblins is the latest album from Colombian drone / dark ambient / experimental musicians Orquesta Drone Tropical. This is one of the most creative and rewarding albums I’ve listened to in quite a while – yes, in places it’s not an easy listen, but that is most definitely part of its charm. With some incredible samples and field recordings (the screeching cat is just one marvellous example!) blended skilfully into the music, this will have you admiring the inventiveness of the audio journey unfolding as you listen. Wonderful!
Michael D. Tidwell – The Lonely Scapes of a Darkened Soul
Dark Odyssey Records is a Canadian dark ambient label that is already making quite a name for itself with a trilogy of impressive releases. First up is The Lonely Scapes of a Darkened Soul by Michael D. Tidwell – an EP of cinematic dark ambient inspired by movies such as Dune, The Fifth Element, Elysium, and Lord of the Rings. The music here is multi-layered with real depth to it, taking the listener on an audio journey that is as rewarding as it is entertaining. Highly recommended for fans of cinematic dark ambient and movie soundtracks!
Dark Awake – ARCHEMOROS
Next up from Dark Odyssey Records is this ritualistic dark ambient release from Greek musician Dark Awake. With neoclassic influences, and subtle industrial undertones, this is an unnerving album full of brooding atmosphere and a sense of otherworldly dread. I’ve had this on repeat play for several weeks now and I’m still loving it as much as I did the first time I heard it. If you’re a fan of eerie dark ambient with ritual ambient elements, then this is an absolute must have!
Chaigidel – Entrails of the Earth
Finally from Dark Odyssey Records is Entrails of the Earth by Italian musician Chaigidel – an album of breath-taking industrial ambient that does an incredible job of combining the esoteric with industrial to create something very special indeed. This is another one of those albums that offers an amazing listening experience, both challenging and rewarding the listener in equal measure. With multi-layered depths this is an album that will offer something new each time you play it. Simply awesome!
Bonzaii – Escalating Quiet
I’ve been a huge fan of Bonzaii for a number of years now, finding each and every release an absolute pleasure to listen to and lose myself in. Escalating Quiet is no different, with a wonderfully subtle melancholic feel to it, and featuring slowly evolving drones that are skilfully blended with field recordings and samples. This is music that is perfect for a spot of meditation or self-reflection, or for simply losing yourself in as you lie back and close your eyes. Beautiful.
Tineidae & Sole Massif – Remnants of War
Oh wow! The Cryo Chamber label has done it again – releasing this incredible cyberpunk dark ambient album from Tineidae & Sole Massif. With soaring synths, thumping bass, and a deliciously deep dark ambient vibe, this is simply stunning. This is the perfect soundtrack to any cyberpunk sci-fi novels, movies or movies, and I have lost myself to this music again and again since this was released. This is an essential purchase for anyone who likes cinematic dark ambient with a sci-fi edge. Mind-blowing!
Spacecraft – Drifting in Peace
Mumbai based musician, Spacecraft, creates the most wonderfully chilled out space ambient / drone music – evoking a sense of calm and galactic wonder. Strictly speaking, this is more ambient than dark ambient, but fans of the genre will find this an incredibly rewarding album, due to its impressive soundscapes and multi-layered textures. Definitely an album worth checking out for those looking for something a little more melodic and contemplative. Gorgeous!
Capricorni Pneumatici – Al-Azif
Al-Azif is the second album from Capricorni Pneumatici. Originally released on tape in 1987, this has now been released on the Eighth Tower Records label to make it available to a wider audience. This is an album of deep, dark industrial ambient with an incredibly unique sound resulting from the fact that the album was recorded underground in location containing a number of large cement tanks. Fans of industrial / post-industrial ambient should definitely check out this classic album now that it has been re-issued. Wonderful stuff!
Vyormouth – Between Planes
Zero K continues to release dark ambient / experimental albums of the highest quality, and Between Planes by Vyormouth is no different – providing an “auditory journey through the liminal spaces of both the physical and psychic realms”. With 3 tracks, each an hour in length, this album is perfect for losing yourself in as the slow pulsing drones, and monotonous and desolate frequencies take us far away from our surroundings and ourselves. Absolutely remarkable!
Click on the below image to go to this month’s This is Darkness playlist on BNDCMPR, which features 1 track from each of the above albums:
Michael: Where exactly are you from, and how does that influence your music?
Michael: Did you have a specific concept in mind, when starting this project, or did the concept and feel of the album change as you produced the tracks?