The conceptual background deals with the existential and ontological problematic of the mirroring self, redemptive consciousness and nothingness. Consequently the title Benthic is used as a metaphor to describe the meaning of its ontological position in the life of contemporary beings.
New album coming from the French based label Triple Moon Records, Benthic is a collaborative work between three musician friends, Vincenzo Nazzaro (a.k.a. Rooms Delayed), Stefano De Ponti and Cristina Pullano. This release is the result of a two years long work offered now in a beautiful hand-made limited edition, accompanied by a version in a digital format. The conceptual background deals with the existential and ontological problematic of the mirroring self, redemptive consciousness and nothingness. Consequently the title Benthic is used as a metaphor to describe the meaning of its ontological position in the life of contemporary beings.
From a distance the music of Benthic can be associated to the world of ambient minimalism and experimental folk but from a closer view it gloriously breaks out any possible classification. The ambiences are quite moody, reasonably droning, deeply evocative and mysteriously enthralling. Sonic sound collages, guitar’s brooding experiments and superb vocal parts give the album an obvious otherworldly, emotionally vibrant and spiritual procession like dimension.
“Dummheit” starts with softly and eerie ambient guitar artefacts progressively followed by intense religiously inflected vocals under a very mysterious spell. A gorgeous track that made me think of Nico’s Desertshore. “Contrappunto” is another emotional track of experimental and ethereal world-like vocals, ambient collages and electrical drones. A pretty intense musical procession. “Sole Giapponese” is a darkly cinematic track of narratives, experimental vocal parts and sinister soundscaping electronic sequences. So enigmatic, dense and well arranged track. Very ritualistic, caustic and mystical sounding textures are brought to the fore. “Life in the deepest sea” closes the album with a haunting sonic almost (kraut) rockin’ ecstasy of ceremonial drum patterns, acoustic vibes and minimal guitar tones.
To sum up, Benthic is a very original, uncommon and dynamic entrancing post-ambient music experience with a fancy for religious, ethereal and cinematic . Not your usual ambient floatingscapes. A surprising, strangely mystical and highly recommended album.
Benthic is available on Triple Moon.
https://vimeo.com/138002299
