Encomiast - S/T [Lens Records - 2007]Encomiast make very creepy and chilling effective dark electronica/dark ambience. You can hear nods towards coil, Cyclobe, darker Popol Vuh or latter-day Tangerine Dream and old industrial elements, but they really seem to have weaved their own distinctive dark Connor of sound. Most of the tracks are lined with some form of beat or rhythmic element, but thankful unlike a lot of dark electronica- it’s done either subtle or in a thoughtful manner, a beat isn’t just stuck on and they hope for the best. Neither thankful are there any vocal/film samples are used, though there is some great manipulation of sourced environmental and creepy sound matter. A few particular creepy and memorable moments along the way come in the form of; Azazel that’s brings together eerier piano repetition, haunted music box unwind, weird sampled rhythmic element that could well be bones been scarped-having an almost dark slowed hip-hop vibe. The layers of synth and sound elements are aptly built and striped away for maxim fear effect.The near on half-a-hour running time of Concupere starts off with distant revolving,whirring and wind matter before adding in slow crunched rhythmic grit & weird struck bell elements. As the track firms up backwards synth elements unfold, darkly melodic traces enter with drone cultures and general unease. At about the 18 minute mark it drifts into a melancholy synth/organ march that brings to mind the dreamy air of Popol Vuh soundtrack for Aguirre, but with added subtle electro elements panning around the stereo channels. But really if you drop down anywhere on the album and you'll thoughly enjoy what you hear . A very playable, often memorable accomplished dark album, that really deservers some of your time if you enjoyed darkly hued electronica and ambience. Roger Batty
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