Embers Below Zero :: The Oblivion Sea (Shimmering Moods)

A rather poignant, isolationist, contemplative and semi acoustic ambient release with its enchanting, sorrowful and suspenseful moments.

I’ve heard about this project a few times without having found the right occasion to go into the music more deeply. This new album published by Shimmering Moods rectifies it. Embers Below Zero is a young project with very little info about it. Hailing from Poland and after several EP’s offered in digital quality, this first full-length release enables to put some light on a project which according to me sounds promising, bringing to the fore some exquisitely emotional musical waves and glitchy droney textures.

The Oblivion Sea is a rather poignant, isolationist, contemplative and semi acoustic ambient release with its enchanting, sorrowful and suspenseful moments. Long droning chords gently move on the surface, embellished by micro-noises, piano notes, fragile sound motifs with the objective to explore expressive realms of simplicity, purity and nostalgia. Without revolutionizing the genre, the result is of real interest—a rather sentimental soundtrack, constantly dreamily and pleasant. Discreet experimental tendencies punctuate the ensemble, notably in “Now” and in the abstract and spectral “Love Lost,” this without neglecting the emotional register which is often enlightened by electric guitar sound waves (reminiscent to Christian Fennesz guitar-drone work in Venice for instance). In a way The Oblivion Sea is a distinctive musical invitation to some inner voyage of melancholic sweetness. For stylistic similarity to those autumnal greyscapes we can refer to the now classic micro-tonal excursions and post ambient sculptures of Rafael Anton Isarrasi, Eluvium, Olan Mill and Tim Hecker. Easily recommended album offered in a hand-made decorated package and strictly limited to 50 copies.

The Oblivion Sea is available on Shimmering Moods.