Connexion Bizarre posted a review of the latest BLÆRG album, “Dysphoric Sonorities“:

After a meteoric rise in underground popularity, which opened the way for the release of considerable amounts of recorded material that many would easily classify as uninspired mindless tripe, breakcore is considered by some to be a spent genre while some of the most famous artists associated with it have shifted and began to incorporate other genres into their music. However, as with every musical subgenre in this situation, there are occasional gems showing that there is still validity to the genre. Blaerg’s second full-length release, “Dysphoric Sonorities” is one such gem.

Though hardly a newcomer to the breakcore scene, Scott Wehman is something a lesser-known artist, and undeservedly so as this new release shows. While breakbeats and plunderphonics may be at everyone’s reach, it takes talent, music knowledge and imagination to come up with convincing and engaging compositions such as those presented in “Dysphoric Sonorities”. Blaerg effectively went beyond the breakcore paradigms of ‘faster-harder-louder’ and insane chaos, creating a truly captivating album, consisting of an interesting assortment of intelligent and methodical compositions with definite groove. Also, despite its title and the occasional harsher track, it is actually a rather laidback album, bound to appeal to more than just the breakcore enthusiasts.

Opening with the relatively insane dance-friendly “Profane Esoterica” and closing with the more cinematic ambient piece “Titanium Cicada”, “Dysphoric Sonorities” takes the listener on a pleasant ride through the artists’ musical background and knowledge. From the hints of metal percussion and accoustic guitar in “Thrice Vexed” and the tribal and ethnic-influenced pieces (like “Crepuscular Harlotry”) to reminiscences of 70’s and 80’s TV series in “Hermaphrodite Android’s Cumshot Infinity” (hands down the highlight of the album for me) and the playfulness of “Earth Hurdles”, each track builds up as a unique entity and presents a different facet of Blaerg’s music. Ultimately, Scott Wehman comes across as a talented and knowledgeable musician, one capable of effortlessly incorporating disparate influences into his compositions and giving them a high degree of coherence (both as isolated tracks and as whole album) without resorting to cheap ploys to cheat the listener or coming up with an album that is a mixed bag.

Interestingly (and in a nice marketing move), in addition to being available in CD format, “Dysphoric Sonorities” is also as a free download with printable artwork. Check it out and, if you like it, purchase the real thing for better sound quality. It’s definitely worth it.

Grab the album Here!

“Soulseek Days” is a collection of early tracks by breakcore maestro, BLÆRG. In the early stages of music production, BLÆRG’s Scott Wehman spent time on Soulseek sharing his musical creations with other breakcore producers, exchanging remixes, tips and tricks. This web only release highlights some of the previously unreleased material that represents the very early days of creation for BLÆRG. This is exclusively available via Bottle Imp Productions and can be downloaded free. Click the cover art below for artist notes, previews and download link.

New review for Bramble’s “Emergence” at Gothtronic:

Bramble’s third release is entirely created using only the human voice. Mainly the voices of Scott Wehman and Morgan Stanton. The ambient drones that are created this way are oppressing, hypnotizing, breath-taking and at the same time reassuring and calming. This release with six tracks from this project out of Toledo, Ohio suprisingly shows what a wide range of music and tones can be made using only the human voice. Especially the lengthier tracks like ‘Conjunction’ and ‘Apocrypha’ are well-performed and know how to keep being entertaining and interesting with their long spun-out tones.

A well-done and refreshing ambient drone release. A recommendation for fans of VidnaObmana, Biosphere, Kammarheit, The [Law-Rah] Collective and Klaus Schulze.

Go here to preview and buy “Emergence”

And a new review for Life Toward Twilight’s, “Blood” at Cosmos Gaming.

Life Toward Twilight is a musical entity that creates sounds reminiscent of both drone and ambient music, with other influences as well. Now on its ninth release (or sixth if you don’t want to count the three releases that were recorded live), Blood, this project is perhaps one of the more challenging entries in its genre out there and is sure to take multiple listens from even the more seasoned drone listener. But that in itself is what makes this disc so interesting, even if it is far from music for the mainstream.

Blood is a mini-album based around themes and moods from horror films. While this isn’t necessarily a new concept, Daniel Tuttle (the man behind Life Toward Twilight) has chosen to explore these ideas using drone/minimalist compositions. Rather than being background music per se, the sounds on this disc are much closer to the sound effects of a horror movie. One can hear noises that sound like doors creaking and wind howling, as well as the screams of the various victims. In fact, at times Life Toward Twilight sounds like that of death itself. The mood of this disc is very eerie, and it will definitely take multiple listens to make out every little element that makes up this powerful effort.

As with most drone, Life Toward Twilight lacks the traditional structure of most music. Sounds seem to flow in and out of the atmospheric base often established at the beginning of each song, but even these can be extremely soft and hard to hear at times. And while each of these five tracks are different from one another, they share ideas and certain sounds to create the feeling of one long effort. What really makes this a disc worth investigating, however, is the way in which it shocks you. Although much of Blood is minimalist and soft, the occasional vocal or sound interlude will hit at higher than usual volumes and bring the listener’s attention back from the atmospheric droning.

If you’re a drone fan, don’t miss out on this release. You are really going to have to invest some time into this disc to get the most from it, as there are plenty of subtle details that can be missed out on the first time around. But Daniel Tuttle has once again done something unique with his music, creating a disc that is both disturbing and absorbing at the same time. If five songs from Life Toward Twilight can produce so much tension and atmosphere with so little sound, I can’t imagine what a full length of material could do.

Go here to preview and purchase “Blood”