Abnocto - Simon Magus [Waerloga Records - 2007]Simon Magus is dramatic and atmosphere heavy synth, piano, acoustic guitar and string driven work, touching down in Neoclassical & soundtrack genres, with odd folk traces along the way. The album was recorded some 60 meters below central Stockholm in a long forgotten chamber.This really has the feeling of a soundtrack for a dark fantasy based story or film, possible one about trolls and their subterranean kingdom, their strange rituals, battles and romantic entanglements. There’s a beautiful main theme that is weaved in out of the album, played out on sweet high piano tones and organ pump. But there’s plenty twist and turns along the way as it dips into strange watery ritual/ dark ambient moments, haunted organ march, swirling choirs, effects ladened atmospherics and odd vocal chants and noises.There are also some slight almost prog hints here and there too bringing to mind the mighty Goblin soundtrack work. The project is made up of Simon Heath and Simon Kölleis who have he also released material under the names of Za Frûmi, Atrium Carceri and Musterion. I’ll have to say I enjoyed this a lot more than Mr Kölleis other solo work as Musterion( reviewed elsewhere ), As here the idea’s seem gel in a more effective and coherent manner really coming to life as an effective, picturesque and memorable soundtrack. The only slight criticism is some of the sounds used do sound a little synthetic, but the same could be said for much of the neo Classical/ synth genre. If you take this as it is and enter into the sprit of it, you will surely whisked you away to a land of legends, hero’s and dark passions.
Roger Batty
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