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Realizing that the titles of half of the tracks comprise the word “Totem” didn’t make things any better. And remarking that the list of instruments includes, amongst others, didjeridu, sitar and bone trumpet lowered my expectations even further. In addition there is a large scratch on the surface of my copy, which made it impossible to play it on my stereo. So I ended up playing it on the cheap boom box in my kitchen, which allowed me to listen to at least five of the eight tracks, until the CD-player started skipping too, but also effectively killed whatever sublime effect this music could possibly have. What I heard then wasn’t half as bad as I had expected, though: dark (not gloomy), rhythmic, drone-related music, created with acoustic instruments, field recordings and effect boxes, neither loaded with pathos nor with ‘tribal’ drumming or chanting, but rather concentrated and atmospheric – some of the more down-to-earth passages were even quite enjoyable. I still prefer to pass on this, however, if something like Ambient-Industrial, adaptations of ‘ethnic’ music with esoteric connotations, archaic-sounding wind instruments and lots of artificial reverb are your thing, you might think different about this release. 

 

Magnus Schaefer (31 October, 2007) www.digitalisindustries.com