I’ll admit that it’s been a while since I’ve really delved into a dark ambient album. Life is chaotic, full of noise and rhythm. This is a genre that beckons one into a state of deep inner silence, patience and a willingness to give oneself fully to the moment. Sílení’s The Lost Themes definitely does not disappoint in that regard. This album, from Portugese artist Valter Abreu, brings a gift of 11 unique soundscapes to immerse oneself in, each unique yet laced with a comfortable familiarity that invites you in.
They were each in turn released on 11 compilations throughout Valter’s musical career. Though I don’t know if they were placed in sequential order of release date, the tracks combine into a very cohesive output and I could be fooled into thinking this was an album created of and for itself.
With shorter tracks than is typical of the genre (each sitting at around the 4 minute mark), The Lost Themes keeps one’s mind engaged with the music, forcing one to actively feel for a sense of the space as it flows past, always too fleeting to truly sink into. This is both a blessing and a curse, and there were a few times that I found myself wishing there was more time to explore the world being painted in the tapestry of my mind.
Sometimes meandering and contemplative, other times unsettling and eerie, I quite enjoyed the landscape Valter creates for the most part. The problem with so many shorter tracks, is the slow swelling intros typical of the genre do start to feel a little redundant at times, though the meat of the tracks made up for that nicely.
Of note to me were The Latent Realm with its frigid, tundra-esque feel. I could easily imagine myself on a windswept, desolate world, far from the light and life-giving heat of the nearest star that blinks forlornly among grey, violent skies.
Reverie provided a feeling of such unrest that I almost squirmed in my seat. If indeed this song is about reminiscence, then to me it was of traumas I would sooner forget. The effect felt intentional, and worked marvelously.
Artificial Chambers brought about a shift from organic textures to something very cyber-utopian. Clean, robotic, and ending with a delightful, almost dance-able synth line that was a welcome deviation from the more traditional ambience of the preceding tracks.
The Lone Phantom is by far my favourite offering of the lot. Sloshing seas, uneasy creaking from an unknown, and a dense fog that oppresses the mind. One could easily be as a wraith, standing spurned and forlorn atop some derelict lighthouse in the midst of a maelstrom upon the open water beyond. It is almost Lovecraftian in it’s imagery. This track in particular felt too short, and I think I could spend much longer in that world given the opportunity.
Overall this was an enjoyable listen and I would recommend it to any dark ambient enthusiasts. Cinematic and expressive, while holding a solid foundation that makes it accessible to old and new listeners alike. Valter tells stories with each song, and it is up to us to choose the words.
Thank you for the moments of rest, I look forward to hearing more from SÍLENÍ.
RATING: 3.5 OUT OF 5
Rating System: 0 – 1 Fucking shit. 1 – 2 Shit. 2 – 3 Not Bad Shit. 3 – 4 Pretty Good Shit. 4 – 5 Amazing Fucking Shit. 5 The Best Shit You Will Ever Hear.
Head over to the Sílení Bandcamp page to find out more.
Press source: Davide Pulito The Metallist / PR & Marketing for Heavy Music. Contact Website and Email: [email protected]
