'Sound Locator circumnavigates space as if surveilling the DNA of anything in its path...the synth-bent drone cries only further help infuse this with a strange tension.' – TJ Norris - Toneshift
The fourth instalment of Angry Ambient Artists sees the series widen its scope with some raw rhythmic jams and horror score worthy instrumentals.
Conflux Coldwell and Tomonari Nozaki step up to cast the series wide net into a pool of tense ambience, dark drones and belting percussive numbers.
Conflux Coldwell was responsible for one of our favourite releases from the last few years, the exceptional hauntology register ‘AM’. While some of the methods and approaches that garnered ‘AM’ so much praise are evident here, the two new pieces see Michael draw from other wells as he not only ups the track durations but also the intensity of his productions.
‘Backwater’ opens things up with an industrial droner that spins around its own axis with warring percussive elements all underpinned with what could be read as a mantra like call to focus in the midst of the commotion.
‘Acathexis’ is exactly the sort of adventurous epic we were hoping to see line up in the AAA series. There are a whole host of moods and stages to the piece as it moves from icy atmospherics to shredding rhythmic sections, dark industrial movements and back out again to let the radio ghosts and dismembered voices have the final say as they mix it up with less of a percussive barrage trying to muscle its way onto their airwaves.
Tomonari Nozaki has produced and indeed made his name with some sublime pieces of tape hiss drenched ambience. While he is no stranger to dissonance and the warmer end of the noise spectrum these are probably his darkest pieces so far.
‘Blackout’ opens up the AA side with a booming drone that initially blankets the sharper frequencies before they are allowed to emerge along with the whirring tape rattles. It’s hard to get away from that word atmospheric as he conjures a dark landscape that could be applied to many scenes and situations in both the physical and digital realms.
Our first thought after learning the title ‘Deception Repeater’ was that it could be a Napalm Death track title! And while it doesn’t enter the same sonic terrain as the grindcore legends it’s scabrous in its own way as it fires its way through a convulsive three and a half minutes.
‘Sound Locator’ completes Tomonari’s latest three panel offering on Forwind with a more subtle offering. While it still wades in darker waters, it’s a more restrained piece that brings to mind the type of portent and foreboding notes we all love in a good horror flick. Tomonari’s dark side of a dark release still retains that level of melody and accessibility that has seen him win many admirers.
supported by 8 fans who also own “Angry Ambient Artists Vol.4”
Damn this album hits hard, really goes to show how much of a serious illness alzheimer’s/dementia is. Stage 3 is especially amazing yet horrifying. jayjayboi
supported by 7 fans who also own “Angry Ambient Artists Vol.4”
This music takes me out of my audio comfort zone and transports me to hidden spaces blanded out by everyday life. An absolute treasure chest of moods and sounds and a pleasurable wash for jaded ears.. Not to be missed David Rankin
Inspired by the dark history of the persecution of witches, these evocative experimental pieces are perfect for the spooky season. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 29, 2019
Written in the wake of a life-threatening car accident, “riss” offers industrial tones both harrowing and ruminative. Bandcamp New & Notable Aug 21, 2022
Tehran-based sound artist Tegh (aka Shahin Entezami) and violinist Adel Poursamadi offer stirring, unsettling take on ambient. Bandcamp Album of the Day Jul 18, 2022
supported by 6 fans who also own “Angry Ambient Artists Vol.4”
Incredibly soothing with melodies that blend in and reach an emotional swell at times. Well constructed ambient music. Glad I found this label and this release. Can put you at ease within just a few minutes Chris_Question_Mark