Ambient

(Brian Eno, Vangelis, Tangerine Dream)

Adveniat Hiems’ “Loki” – a free metal EP

Adveniat Hiems is an ambient black metal band that dishes out short concept albums inspired by northern mythology and folktales. “Loki,” Adveniat Hiems’ new EP, is named after a shapeshifter in Norse myths. The group is with the net label Ekleipsi. They are not as loud and “noisy” as other metal groups, and they do not blow off my eardrums. I think they are quite merciful despite an anagram of their name, invade atheism. I actually like the fiery combination of their drums and guitars. What I really like about Adveniat Hiems, though, is their choice to stick to concepts that are close to me – myths and legends.

The Silent Ballet Volume XV – compilation album from The Lost Children netlabel

Just a short time ago The Lost Children netlabel and The Silent Ballet released their XIV installment of the compilation series. Now they are ready with number XV and they don't disappoint again. The compilation contains 12 strong electronic, ambient, post-rock tracks - some even with a hint of metal. It's not really a relaxing album, but you will get a nice variety of moods - anything from laud drum filled Hiérophante to calm and airy Turn Tail.

Be Shareful – Cologne Commons 3rd Compilation

There is "sharefulness" in the music biz again as Cologne Commons has released "Be Shareful," its third compilation of ambient music featuring electro-folk chillout sounds. The first and second Cologne Commons music compilations were well-received by music enthusiasts around the world, which makes this third issue a much awaited follow up. As in the past editions, this compilation is named after Cologne City in Germany, where a festival for free music is held every year.

Another Quiet Winter by NCThompson – Music for Quiet Moments

NCThompson, an American musician, officially steps into the online scene for the first time with an EP called “Another Quiet Winter.” From the title, one could easily expect an easy listening experience, perfect for a winter that is, well, quiet. Asked about his insights on his new EP, NCThompson says, “These songs just seem connected by the loneliness of looking up and seeing nothing but a cold gray sky; when all that’s left is a longing feeling for times once passed. And as depressing as that may sound, I think there’s something to be said for the kind of emotions that such longing can inspire.”

The Silent Ballet Volume XIV – compilation album from The Lost Children netlabel

The Lost Children Netlabel and The Silent Ballet have teamed up again to present some of the most talented but yet to be discovered musicians around the world. As the album's title says, they are now on "Volume XIV." There are 12 tracks in this compilation album of ambient-electronic music. The tracks are combination of relaxing and emotionally stimulating music, but it is predominantly trance. Some tracks have a far more intense energy than others, so I am not quite sure whether I'd be playing that as background music for a "quiet me time." Most tracks, however, are decidedly soothing.

Pull My Daisy (Ex Lillian Gish) – Yellow Cake & Velvet Crash

A touch of dark, industrial, melancholic and straight up rock music with a French twist. Pull My Daisy rose up from the remains of French band Lillian Gish and came to create a soundscape filled with rockish guitars, a 90s flair and easily likable tunes. Yellow Cake & Velvet Crash is filled with dark noise rock, instrumental beats that makes you to listen from one track to the next without putting up much of a fight. It's easily likable especially if you still dream of the days when great angry 90s rock music filled the radio.

L’autre endroit – A Golden Sound of Silence

Heavy guitar trip-hop all to the sound of Silence. Native Belgian, Vincent Gires, dubs himself as a Silence and creates music infused with trip-hop, industrial and ambient. Although some might argue about labeling his music as trip-hop when its leaning more towards straightforward industrial sound, there is no doubt that certain tracks on this album centers on thought provocation which is the core of trip-hop. Stop!, for instance, features a woman on the verge of being a victim to a crime. L'autre endroit compiles heavy guitars and synthetic beats that takes you for a ride into the unknown.

Kirill Kara-Banchuk – Star T – a Creative Commons release from Mixgalaxy Records

Another full-length LP released by Mixgalaxy Records acquaints the listeners with one very interesting author, who works both with music and graphical art. Kirill Kara-Banchuk belongs to Russian idm flow. Being an expert in sound abstractions and experiments, as well as a talented minimalist artist he makes some kind of synthesis of inner images difficult for perception and interpretation, transferring them into sounds and sharing a part of his rich and individual inward with listeners.

et_ presents The Agency of Missing Hearts

Electronic trip-hop and down tempo instrumental tracks that make you wish your break was longer than just 15 minutes. Et_ creates rockish, instrumental electronic music that resonates with maturity and great sense of balance. As long as you get over the fact that the title sounds like an up and coming emo band, you'll realize that et_ is really worth listening to. He incorporates fat sounding beats, tucks in a bit of acoustic on the side and some rock stuff to show you what he's capable of when it comes to software and guitars. Not bad for someone who got started in music playing a "half-broken guitar down from the attic."