This mysteriously cinematic ambient body of slowly moving pieces is mentally transportive and representative of a contemplative journey in unknown vastness and in the depth of the subconsciousness.
Chilling, cinematic, and bleak ambient music
Kristof Bathory (alias Void Stasis, Dawn of Ashes) delivers his eponymous album and invites the listener to an adventurous and spellbinding futuristic synth-scaping odyssey. This mysteriously cinematic ambient body of slowly moving pieces is mentally transportive and representative of a contemplative journey in unknown vastness and in the depth of the subconsciousness. The soundscapes alternate mellow, enveloping and soothing atmospheres with more tension invoking, menacing, and grandiose ambient drama. It naturally gravitates around the chilling, cinematic, and bleak ambient music sphere—showing affinity with foundational projects such as Sabled Sun, Tholen, Ah Cama Sotz, and Phelios. However, the more pulsating minimal vibe and soundtracked expressive nature of the ensemble also admits comparisons with scary fantasy electronic music by Brassica, Umberto, and John Carpenter.
An enjoyable synergy between undulating majestic synth lines and rhythmical textures, Humanoid Dystopia is replete with mechanized and organic sounds. The album is nonetheless a strong, captivating, and compelling new release with a deft storytelling soundtrack that transports us far away from the real world, even though it doesn’t reinvent the dark ambient genre. Favorite tracks are the propulsive “Abandoned Wreckage feat. Dimensional Dryft” and the highly emotional if not wistful of “The Escape,” a perfect ending theme to close this impactful, downbeat and spacious heretic ambient monument. Highly recommended for reading apocalyptic scenarios of a dark becoming and metaphysical anticipation books, especially those by Heinlein, Lem, et al.
Humanoid Dystopia is available on Cryo Chamber. [Bandcamp]
