Vidna Obmana The Contemporary Nocturne

Together with his previous solo release, The Surreal Sanctuary, this forms a set of deeply atmospheric, brooding textures. Vidna's fascination with the wind instrument called a fujara continues. 'Duel' is literally that, as fujara competes with heavily treated atmospherics, echoing over the top of each other. It is a brief, intense opening, setting the tone for an introspective dark journey. More expansive and reflective is 'Chasing the odyssee,' which is beautifully enhanced by Steve Roach on e-bow guitar. The guitar wails and moans with passion, a bit sad but not overly so. The music subtly shifts, setting a gentle, deliberate pace.

'A platform of sorrow' is less smooth, more disjointed, though not as intense as 'Duel.' Again the fujara dominates. This piece manages to sound sparse and yet busy at the same time. Layers of sounds again compete for dominance, the battle becoming more intense as it continues. 'The gaze in dissonance' shows Vidna Obmana's talent for recycling, taking a source recording and twisting it beyond recognition. In this instance, it is labelled music for four harmonicas, but they are wholly unrecognizable as such. The end result is velvety smooth ambience, equal parts light and dark. It flows unabated into 'Mute grief,' a sombre piece as one might expect. The small fujara cries out emphatically in despair. Perhaps the most intense piece emotionally, it is difficult to listen to because it reaches so deep to the core. This is brutally honest, soul-searching music.