V-Khaos, the entity behind dozens of projects not least Dim Lights, returns to the forests of his birth, Druadan, and the world of dungeon synth after their cosmic journey through ‘Portals’. So I guess as the lurker on the threshold hereabouts, it’s my pleasure to once more open the world of such a sadly maligned yet emotional, magical and transportative genre to you.
One day you will see the light.
‘Moonlight Sorcery’ begins in dark, sombre and still skies. The timpani drums bringing grandeur to the gentle but evocative keyboard sounds. Melodic, measured but opening you up in such a simple, effective manner. ‘Witches Lake’ is the sound of silver light on dark waters, a keyboard sound that is so familiar from the Dim Lights project but here it has a sense of waiting in shadows for the natural flow of the place to be coaxed into a slow dance with those present. ‘Summer Night Orgies’ is far more tender than the title, a hint or an echo of the title music for Stranger Things, it has a sense of a light touch, an affection even and points of shimmering glow briefly pulsing into life.
It’s what all good ambient should do; paint pictures in your mind even if those pictures are yours alone. And great ambient touches your soul and raises emotion and longing even. That is when you know you are in the care of a master. ‘The Devil’s Gate’ brings a strident and imposing organ sound, the hint of martial drumming and a curious rising sense of grandeur, that this is a sight to be worshipped.
‘Spells And Magic Potions’ retreats into a dark workshop for experiments and transformations too hard to find… ‘Raven And Dagger’ brings a little hint of old Norwegian travels into ambience in the dark sound whilst ‘Wizards Hut’ has a light, but isolated feel to its sedate dance and pipe sounds. The medieval folk lilt here is just gorgeous.
‘Black Towers Of Kharanos’ takes us on a last walk to take in the view. Old lands, ancient times and the dismal presence still endowed with a glory and a grandeur that stops the breath in your chest.
This is not music for the cynic or for those who cannot embrace things unless they are claiming to be ‘ironic’. This is music of heart and of soul and of deep emotion for those brave enough to admit that they can open themselves to the fantasy and revel in it, to walk lands with awe and to treat it as every bit as real as what is outside your window.
A beautifully constructed, embracing world exists herein. Enter with an honest heart and it will allow you to breath and to think on great things that the ‘real’ world will not allow. Enter with open eyes and it will show you dismal vistas you will fall in love with.
Magnificent.
(9/10 Gizmo)
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