Two new reviews from Chain D.L.K.:

BLÆRG, “Dysphoric Sonorities“.

After listening to Life Toward Twilight, I put this on and was not quite prepared for what came out of the speakers. BLÆRG unloads with both barrels, throwing down some harsh broken beats that reminds me a lot of Venetian Snares. But not all of it is so spastic. “Thrice Vexed” has its moments of calm mixed with the beats and “Crepuscular Harlotry” sounds like what would happen if there was a breakcore Bollywood soundtrack. Overall, this is complicated (but certainly not random), noisy beats mixed with lilting synth lines that provide a nice counterpoint. Of course there are the obligatory random samples as well to provide humor. The artwork also adds a bit of humor, with a woman wearing an octopus on her head. Certainly worth checking out, especially since you can get it for free on the label’s website. The disc weighs in at about 34 minutes.

Life Toward Twilight, “Blood”

I had previously reviewed Life Toward Twilight’s “We Waited For A Subtle Dawn,” so I was pleasantly surprised when this came in the mail. This is considerably different from their other disc. It sounds like they attempted to create the soundtrack to a disturbing movie, and the song titles seem to support this view - tracks like “Zombie Infestation” and “R’lyeh” (I’m a huge fan of Lovecraft’s literature, so this immediately caught my eye) provide a hint as to the kind of feeling that they are after. Overall, this disc works pretty well. Distant screams combine with atmospheric synth soundscapes and clanging metal to provide a heavy atmosphere. I would say that this is an excellent disc to pick up just in time for Halloween to scare the trick or treaters that come to your door. If Coil’s “Hellraiser” soundtrack wasn’t dark enough for you, this is a definite to pick up. If you have any doubts, you can get it for free on the label’s website. The only issue I see is that the disc is pretty short, weighing in at around 17 minutes, but it’s a fun 17 minutes.

The Silent Ballet posted a review for Bramble’s “Emergence“:

Fans of breakcore will recognize Scott Wehman as the mastermind behind Ohio’s unfortunately named Blaerg, a purveyor of the kind of hyperactive lunacy that has served Venetian Snares and Autechre so well. Under his Bramble guise, however, Wehman abandons the schizophrenic beats of his other project for a sound that’s far more sedate, if no less unsettling.

His third release (following 2007’s Dynamism and Innate) is an exercise in haunted ambience, an ethereal collection of spectral soundscapes. Comprised of three lengthy ambient suites and three short introductory pieces, Emergence nestles itself comfortably into a deep slumber: the pace is funereal, the mood somber and reflective.

“Conjunction” is a darkly hypnotic piece, a bit of experimental drone that sounds strangely organic. The long fade out paves the way for the blast of icy air that is “Emergence (Second Profundity)”, which in turn melts into the album’s longest track, the claustrophobic “Apocrypha”. The nature of the music is enough to elicit nightmares if listened to before sleep, but with enough time actively invested in it, Emergence reveals itself to be a haunting, often emotional listen. While other artists working within this field employ warmth to their ambient works (think Loscil or Eluvium), Bramble exists instead in a darker, harsher climate. There are rare moments of calm, but overall Wehman’s take on ambient drone is glacial and shadowy, although never lacking in heart.

“Emergence (Third Profundity)”, while in intention is merely an introduction to the album’s closing piece “Transmutation Of Base Metal”, is the kind of bowel-loosening drone that would shake fillings in a live setting. The latter track itself is a particularly oppressive piece of music, employing ghostly loops and a palpable sense of foreboding during its eight minute lifespan. Its threatening atmosphere brings the collection to a suitably spooky close.

Unfortunately, it appears both of Wehman’s projects are now on indefinite hiatus, so it might be some time before we hear from this interesting talent again. It’s worth noting that Emergence is available from Bottle Imp Productions website and Bramble’s own Lastfm page for free download, so you have no excuse not to take advantage of Scott Wehman’s generosity and investigate further. Chances are his pneumatic drones will haunt your dreams for days to come.

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!

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”

A new review has been posted of Bramble’s new album, “Emergence” by Absolute Zero Media:

“Remember the days when Dark ambience use to scare the shit out of you when label like Dark Vinyl, Soleilmoon, CMI, Eibon and Cold Spring were so mysterious you wondered if they had unlocked the gate to the 8th level of hell to let these sounds out. Well Bramble does that to me again. Deep Drifting Drones and Tones that are so Demonic in nature you get the chill down your spine. You feel like you need to keep looking over your shoulder in the dark for something, but it’s never there. The crazy thing of it all is all this is done by two human voices manipulated and effected through electronic and mixing technologies. Bramble would make Mike Patton proud as he was the 1st I hear to do this with his ” Adult Themes” CD on Tzadik. If you enjoy artist like Daniel Menche, Drakh, Lull and Lustmord then you have opened the door to a new favorite release. It is ultra minimal at time then other moments it builds up a bit but never to climax. Terrified Drifting through the bleak , black of nothingness alone this is the sounds you mind would create as the madness seeps in. Bramble is a fantastic creation and this is there third so now I have two other I have to hunt out and listen too. “

Purchase:
CD from Bottle Imp Productions
Amazon MP3
eMusic
Napster

A new review has been posted by Cosmos Gaming for Blaerg’s, “Dysphoric Sonorities“:

When one hears the word breakcore, it is not uncommon to think of the resulting band/artist to be primarily hip hop focused. But Toledo, Ohio based Blaerg (pronounced blarg), the musical project of Scott Wehman, is quite different from your typical breakcore act. Mixing the drum ‘n bass influences with ambient and industrial styles, Blaerg’s third album Dysphoric Sonorities is a unique experience that should be approached with an open mind, but is also one that will be a memorable and enjoyable journey to those who give it a chance.

Right off the bat, Blaerg’s music hits you with electronic drums that get up to extremely high beats per minute. But though there are plenty of moments that sound like traditional house and drum ‘n bass, there are also prevalent jazz, ambient, and industrial influences as well. Scott Wehman lists Frank Zappa as an influence and this definitely shows throughout the course of Dysphoric Sonorities thanks to the sheer level of variety and on the fly transitions. It may be a little hard to take in at once, but the sense of exploration and atmosphere felt throughout this album is sure to bring the adventurous back time and time again. As for vocals, there isn’t any singing but instead occasional spoken word as well as the use of sound bites. But it should be mentioned that when these appear, they are used to enhance the instrumentals rather than to steal the focus from them. Overall, Blaerg’s style feels wholly unique and will definitely warrant repeat listens.

Blaerg has produced ambient experimental breakcore; something I’m not quite sure has been done before. And while it is likely to remain a fairly small niche, there’s definitely something enjoyable and impressive about what Scott Wehman has managed to accomplish with this album. As long as you don’t have anything against electronic music and are open to the experimental, Dysphoric Sonorities certainly deserves to have a spot in your collection.

Now available in a variety of formats.

Blogger R-T-C posted a review of BLÆRG’s “Dysphoric Sonorities“:

Dysphoric Sonorities is an album that was released by the breakcore group BLÆRG. Lets start the review shall we? Profane Esoterica is a panic break song that is solely driven by its insanity. The background yells make you feel as if your walking down the long hall,in an insane asylum. Thrice Vexed brings on heavy fast paced drums and crushing cymbals. In the beginning of the song it brings a speedy thrasher feel, then gently slows down to a snails pace by the middle. After that it switches directions like a Tornado, but still brings some devastating creativity.Favorite part of this one is the end because it breaks down like an old hip hop song with spice of electronica. Ebullient Letimotif is…only thing that can explain this one is imagine your working on a high tech mech. But your working incredibly fast, this is that song! Crepuscular Harlotry is a bit on the mellow side of this album. This song has a bit of Brazilian flavor with the drums for a while. Then it changes up to a nice sped up rhythm, with an erie dark hallway like vocal. This one is one of my favorites from the album. Unmitigated Verbosity this song returns back the manic/panic chaotic feeling the first few songs displayed. Excepted this one will make you feel as though your very close friends with the drug Speed…zone out on this one because I did. Hermaphrodite Android’s Cumshot Infinity…I’m just gonna leave this song review empty. Check it out for yourself and along with Earth Hurdles. Both of these songs just put me in a fucking zone. I lost 5 minutes listening to these songs. Almost missed the song after. Luminescent Dermabrasion follows suit with the previously songs packing speed, eerie songs but this time its abit more melodic and soothing. This song literally feels like drugs into your system. And with each chaotic note your slipping more into the highness abyss created by BLÆRG. Titanium Cicada feels like another hallway song but not an asylum. This time it feels like your alone in an old spoooky electric amusement park. And then you touch a button and everything just goes bat shit crazy. I’ve tried my best to explain this incredibly creavtive album but you must check it for yourself. After this album I had a high and a headache. Check out BLÆRG - Dysphoric Sonorities!!

Get a copy of the album at Bottle Imp Productions