This is theater, this is a type of dark story told by sound and I want to go back. There is something behind me now.
A journey to vast post apocalyptic lands begins
When I began listening, the world was different. I did not yet know what I now have seen and heard, it is a long story. I think we are going down into a cold wet place where everything is very big and would not notice crushing us bobbing over the deep water below, it is dark and I am very afraid, I know I am not supposed to say this, but the sound has a strange power. This is theater, this is a type of dark story told by sound and I want to go back. There is something behind me now.
Analog and modular synths run through tape, a post apocalyptic journey painted on the thickest walls of sound, analog textures and soothing warm tape noise. I believe everything. The story is unlike anything I have ever experienced, strange atmospheres where things happen, humans talk in very low tones, I can almost hear it. I tried playing it back, the spirit says the same thing.
I was thinking of making up a plausible story arc about the music, based on the atmosphere and the track titles. I do not know where I am right now. Something about returning to a lost world once familiar, Cities Last Broadcast episode. Yes, there is a secret connection, the ghosts visit sometimes, really quiet. And then comes the entombment, where we abandon the past. The mountain vault is where, for me, the story started to break me, I was thinking I could bring it all together in all its magnificence. “What Was Once Called Home” (4:35).
I am trying not to move ::
Do not worry. I just made the call, they are coming to help us. The tower is sending two whole squads. They should be here soon. Don’t say anything more about this, I don’t want to give you the wrong idea. We are just waiting. I play it again, every time the same, but sometimes in the mix I hear more than the last time. Here I am again. “In the Dead of Night” feat. Cities Last Broadcast (6:26) — a dark ambient project from Umeå, Sweden, Cities Last Broadcast. Side-project of Pär Boström. Aliases: Aindulmedir, Deutsch Deutae, Grave Owl, Kammarheit, Pär Boström, Teahouse Radio. I think I hear something outside. It is very quiet, but I can hear the strange machines out there. You would not believe how they sound from here. “Encrypted Coordinates” (3:36), why isn’t anybody coming? I made the call. The noises continue and I know what it is and I just cannot say it. You understand. Now I am feeling the “Opaline Apparitions” (7:48) not quite seeing them, but I know they are out there. The darkness… I should call again, or call someone else. I am really frightened now. “Burial” (8:22)… it is so dark. Can you read this? I need to (illegible)…
I am trying not to move, maybe the shadows won’t see me. They get really close sometimes, most of the time I am not sure. “Point of No Return” (7:38), the lustrous ringing is so perfect after what we have been through. This is some serious listening. I don’t believe it. The whole thing is a journey into this dark place, underground I think, it is so dark it is hard to tell. The water below our little boat is very deep, I can smell it. I hope somebody is nearby. The tracks are long enough to get lost in, that is why this has taken me so long, I almost gave up several times. Here is the part I was telling you about, “Mountain Vault” (9:17), and I am not going home again, I can tell. Where is the way out? I am not going anywhere. The sound is echoing off of a huge lake in a cave down below the surface of the planet. I am still here. The texture is burning. How long have we been falling? “In All Its Magnificence” (6:50), the sound might come from a great distance, maybe I should turn it up a bit more, careful… Too late. We are coming to something, it is getting closer.
(That was all we found, the note ended suddenly.)
Riding the post apocalypse soundscape is not for everyone. That is how it should be. I will be back.
Written, Produced, and Performed by Dimitris Valasopoulos for the Cryo Chamber.
Watchtower is available on Cryo Chamber. [Bandcamp]
