False Mirror - Derelict World [Malignant Records - 2010]Fatalistic artwork, a compelling story and imaginative music; put all three together and you are presented with False Mirrors’ 2010 release Derelict World. Tobias Hornberger (the architect behind False Mirror, with help from Axel Baune, Tarek Mansur, Dieter Trustedt and Bjorn Springorum) carefully and intricately creates and manipulates sounds to match the story within. The story, “Account of the Dreadful Happenings”, was written by Bjorn Springorum and concerns a calamitous storm that befalls the world, secrets and whispers and the last survivor on Earth. It’s an interesting story in that it parallels much of what is current (environmentalism, consumerism and the relation human beings have to each other and with nature). Pretty heady stuff but with False Mirror directing the musical portion every emotion and atmosphere is delicately revealed.
Using dark ambient and drone inspirations False Mirror produces sounds that are ominous, spectral, desolate and watery. These sounds are made through a variety of traditional instruments, electronic and digital manipulations, various field recordings and custom built instruments. During the entire project there is a general murky, subterranean, uneasy ambiance; which ties in perfectly with the accompanying story. Tides gently ebb, mechanical sounds add a disoriented mood, chimes and bells have a mystical and other-worldly aura.
Join all this together and you have a wonderfully artistic statement. Yet, would it have the same effect without knowing beforehand the back story and seeing the bleak illustrations? It’s questionable to say the least. Having the well thought out packaging in addition to the affective music fully encompasses the meaning behind the sounds Viktorya Kaufholz
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