By: Dave Allan Guzda
Aires / Rui P. Andrade / Earthly Beasts | bandcamp |
Released on September 24, 2014 via Enough Records
A while back I was impressed with Aires self-titled debut EP that showcased an assortment of “vibrant soundscapes, shimmering distortion, subtle noise and delicately crafted ambient waves“. Aires has teamed up with two other Portuguese producers/sound artists to create a three song split EP with each artist contributing one track. The EP still runs close to 30m, so it serves as a sufficient introduction to all three artists: Aires, Earthly Beasts and Rui P. Andrade.
The Aires’ track is entitled “Solvet Cosmos in Favilla” which roughly translates to “Reduce the Cosmos to Ashes”. With such a massive and imposing title I was expecting the track to have some of the drama and edge that “Orgânico II – Monolitico” from Aires’ debut had. Instead “Solvet Cosmos in Favilla” begins with a clanky uncomfortable loop that sounds like metal wind chimes caught in a hurricane. The sound is shrill and grating and continues unrelentingly for half the track. Fortunately the din eventually subsides and leads into some rewarding softer synth tones. The pay-off becomes the stunning contrast of sounds which are quite beautiful. The new tones are slow, soothing and triumphant, reminiscent of elongated mellow trumpet notes. Ultimately the track is an interesting addition to Aires’ portfolio.
The next track is by Rui P. Andrade and it’s called “Turdus Merula” (translated to ‘common blackbird’). The track has a deeply sinister dark ambient vibe. You can close your eyes and imagine yourself walking in an eerie, foggy forest with twisted trees and skulking shadows. The creepy atmospheres bellow out with strong looming resonance and grim drone. The track slowly builds in intensity as distortion and noise bleed into the mix and eventually consume it. This fantastic ambiance ends with a jolting fury of feedback. The track would certainly invite the ominous call of “Turdus Merula”. Caw!
The split EP ends with the Earthly Beasts track “Erebus”. The song begins by dropping mammoth bassy industrial-esque concussive blasts which thud like the impact of distant nuclear warheads. The ambiance develops into a post-apocalyptic nightmare. The blasts are joined by a chugging pattern that swirls, spins and shudders. It sounds like a demonic train out of Blade Runner. The track repeatedly pushes tension to the brink before reprieve.
Split EPs are a brilliant way to discover new music. If you like dark ambient and drone that occasionally reaches into more aggressive noise then you’ll want to hear this EP. Each of the three producers: Aires, Rui P. Andrade and Earthly Beasts infuse their own unique sound artistry to contribute a memorable track. Beware listener, something foreboding lurks within this ambient music from Lisbon…
Bandcamp links for all three artists:
Earthly Beasts
Rui P. Andrade
Aires
