Here are the dark ambient albums that we at This is Darkness have been listening to this month – some are new releases, but a few are older gems we’ve just (re)discovered.

Please check these out by clicking on the Bandcamp link next to each review, and please consider supporting the featured artists.

Enjoy!

If you have a Bandcamp release you’d like to be considered for inclusion as one of our picks of the month , please email richdodgin-tid@virginmedia.com. Bandcamp download codes for albums to be reviewed are always very welcome, but are not essential.

 

CrAwE – Imprisoned In The Bones Of Our Ancestors

 

Regular readers will know by now that I am a huge fan of CrAwE – his guitar based dark ambient / drone hitting that perfect sweet spot between despair and hope, with sonic soundscapes that are haunting and reassuring in equal measure. Imprisoned In The Bones Of Our Ancestors blends evolving drones with subtle field recordings to create a beautiful multi-layered album of music that is perfect for a pot of introspection and self reflection as those cold winter nights draw in. Absolutely  gorgeous!

 

Demetrio Cecchitelli & Simon Hansson – yritys

 

yritys is the result of a long-distance collaboration and correspondence between composers Demetrio Cecchitelli and Simon Hansson, and features a musical exploration of distinct sensibilities and how they meet in sound. The music here is, quite simply, stunning – with an underlying melancholic tone running through it, and a real sense of depth and meaning. This is one of those albums that is best listening to on headphones, while you lie in a darkened room, letting the music carry you with it. Incredible!

 

Modern Silent Cinema – Flesh Mother (Redux)

 

Flesh Mother (Redux), the latest album of lo-fi electro-acoustic experimental music from Modern Silent Cinema isn’t your standard dark ambient fare, featuring a more rock / post-rock oriented sound… but with definite dark ambient elements, a bleak undertone, and disturbingly dark soundscapes added to the mix. Every time I listen to this I discover something new hidden in its depths, and this album is highly recommended to those looking for something a little different. Fantastic!

 

Sense of Self – By a Thread

 

New on the ever awesome Inner Demons Records label is By a Thread by Sense of Self. This is a wonderful album of experimental soundscapes, which ranges from moments of calmness and tranquillity, to others of chaos and aggression. The end result is an exhilarating audio journey that is as rewarding as it is exciting. I’ve had this on repeat play since I first heard it, and I’m still loving it. Awesome!

 

Materiæ Abyssu – Aëthÿrinn Na Viixhræ

 

Oh wow. Now this is very cool. An album combining elements of dark ambient, post-industrial, and darkwave! Featuring deliciously dark vocals, haunting music, and a wonderful ritual ambient vibe, this is one of those albums that will stay with you long after you’ve finished listening to it… before you are drawn back to it again and again. Magnificent!

 

Runes Order – No Future

 

Eighth Tower Records continues to release the most incredible music, with this re-release of the 1993 album No Future another perfect example. Originally released on cassette and limited to 30 copies this album gained a cult following due to its unsettling exploration of the nuclear nightmare. It’s wonderful to see this masterpiece get a digital and CD release and a chance to gain a much deserved wider audience. Using synths, tape loops, and slow evolving drones, the music here is dark, despairing and full of tension. Marvellous!

 

The Surrealist & Austin Rockman – Light Lies Awake

 

Light Lies Awake is the latest album from The Surrealist & Austin Rockman, and I’m delighted to say that this is even better than the glorious Seek No End which I reviewed back in May! With evolving drones, ambient soundscapes, and experimental electronica this is one of those incredible albums that rewards multiple listens… because each and every listen uncovers something new and wonderous. I’ve lost myself in the depths of this album again and again since I first heard it, and I cannot recommend this strongly enough. Simply stunning!

 

insectarium – a lamp unto thy path

 

New from Illinois based dark ambient musician insectarium is a lamp unto thy path, an album of eerie, unnerving dark ambient of the highest order. This is the soundtrack to those nightmares that you wake from in the middle of the night, screaming. It’s incredibly well done and is a reminder of just how powerful dark ambient music can be. Very highly recommended. Superb!

 

 

OUTER BANKX – OUTER BANKX Pt 1

 

Now this is very cool – a cinematic, ambient album built around manipulated NASA Apollo mission transmissions and dark synth sound design textures! With a combination of dark ambient, drone, glitch, synth work, and NASA control room transmissions found online, OUTER BANKX has created an album that is an intriguing as it is rewarding – each listen is an absolute delight. On the basis of OUTER BANKX Pt 1 I will definitely be watching to see what OUTER BANKX does next. Amazing!