I found it surprising, at first, to see a record by Maurizio Bianchi on a label like Baskaru, usually hosting softer sounds, but after listening this five-track collaboration (recorded over 2004-2006) with Emanuela De Angelis (Mou, Lips!, guest for Tu M' etc.) the choice definitely makes sense. "Regolelettroniche" is a quiet, melancholic work which is entirely loops based, be it with Bianchi's grating tape action, be it with cleaner, more ethereal digital treatments (which I presume are due to De Angelis). While this time it's hard to tell where the loops come from (some treated strings or guitars may be there), the experiment is quite close, as an approach to cyclic repetition, to Bianchi's "Cycles" or some atmospheres of "a M. B. Ienh Tale". It is very static music, which could even get on your nerves, but this can be said of any loop-based composition, including Basinski's acclaimed "Disintegration Loops", which I've found not that far from these pieces. Unsurprisingly for my personal tastes, I think that the massive, 20+ minute second track, "Cosmic Norms", is also the most successful one: its length guarantees that you wrap yourself in its sounds as in a warm blanket. A perfect disc to lull you in lonely afternoons.

WHERE TATTERED CLOUDS ARE STRANDING is a compilation dedicated to the art of Icelandic sculptor and painter Einar Jonsson (1874-1954). Most of the tracks of the two CDs are exclusive to this release and have been composed taking inspiration from the work of Einar Jonsson. The compilation is divided into two sections/CDs titled respectively "Grief" and "Birth of psyche". The first one see the participation of fourteen projects of the neo-folk/martial international scene: Belborn, Storm Of Capricorn, Westwind, Rukkanor, H.E.R.R./Von Thronsthl, Horologium, Weihan, Cold Fusion, Larrnakh, Zebaoth, Agnivolok, Kammer Sieben, Aeldaborn and Cawatana. I listened to this CD a couple of times and I can assure you that this is a really good album and I'm sure that you'll find a lot of tracks you'll love (like Rukkanor's "Epitaph". On this on Robert is going on with the re-definition of the project's sound after detaching from the martial genre, to find its own "world" made of poetic intuitions and diversification of sounds). The second CD is dedicated to the dark ambient/psych industrial oriented bands with the participation of Rose Rovine E Amanti, Wach, Objekt4, Hoarfrost, Gandolfs Gedanken, Shining Vril, Echo West, Gregorio Bardini, Artefactum, Kadaver, Bisclaveret, Sitra Ahra and Simulacra. On this CD I found really good tracks and to tell the truth also some others which sounded a little like fillers to me but probably I've been influenced by the quality of the first one. Anyway, the overall judgment is very good. Here's the complete track-list:
1-01 Belborn "Der Morgen" (4:45)
1-02 Cold Fusion "May Be Another Way" (3:28)
1-03 Storm Of Capricorn "Come From Far And Wide" (7:08)
1-04 Larrnakh "Island On Island" (2:35)
1-05 Westwind "Grief" (5:00)
1-06 Weihan "Utlagar" (3:29)
1-07 Zebaoth"Drought Now" (4:54)
1-08 Cawatana "Have No Option (This Is A Dream)" (4:32)
1-09 H.E.R.R./Von Thronstahl"Liberating Spirit" (4:52)
1-10 Aeldaborn "Morning" (7:08)
1-11 Kammer Sieben "Ihr" (5:03)
1-12 Horologium "Fate" (5:13)
1-13 Agnivolok "Sculptor" (7:48)
1-14 Rukkanor "Epitaph" (3:38)
2-01 Artefactum "Symbolism" (6:23)
2-02 Hoarfrost "Insanus" (5:34)
2-03 Kadaver/Refuse To Die "Funerals Of Tomorrow" (4:08)
2-04 Rose Rovine E Amanti "Violini E Rose" (4:22)
2-05 Wach "March Of The Sleepless" (5:30)
2-06 Simulacra "The Wave Of The Ages" (6:09)
2-07 Gandolfs Gedanken "Gewissensbisse" (2:47)
2-08 Shining Vril "Figure I" (3:46)
2-09 Gregorio Bardini "Cobra" (4:30)
2-10 Gandolfs Gedanken "Funkenflug" (5:16)
2-11 Sitra Ahra "The Scorching Breath" (5:51)
2-12 Echo West "Bregräbnis/Sunrising Afterwards" (3:11)
2-13 Bisclaveret "Engill Ljssins" (5:37)
2-14 Objekt4 "Alda Aldanna" (12:00)

Third album for the Polish project formed by Marcin Jarmulski (music), Marcin "szuster' Buda (live visions) and Marcin 'Dobermann' Pflanz (photos and videos), [Haven] is presenting their third album mysteriously titled A2982. The new album contains ten new tracks which are able to create a suspension in time effect where ambient atmospheres and electro industrial intuitions are enriched by little vocal samples just to enhance the cinematic effect they are able to create. Most of the tracks create an alienating atmosphere well represented by the faded images of the cover. The claustrophobic sensation, in my opinion, is one of the key factor of the album and you have to keep this in mind when you are approaching to it. Sometimes I felt the lack of a visual counterpart to music but [Haven] are able to create a convincing ambience anyway...

Tympanik Audio’s "Emerging Organisms: Hidden Forms Compilation Series Volume One" is a very interesting two disc compilation that beats Nine Inch Nails’s "Ghosts" to the punch with its brand of ambient/industrial soundscapes from artists such as Rekt, Flint Glass, Lucidstatic, and Nebulo. The compilation offers a mixture of traditional ambient compositions, clanking industrialized rhythmic tracks, and instrumental EBM and IDM pieces. The nice thing about this compilation is that while it is comprised of contributions from different artists, the collection as a whole has the cohesiveness and flow of an album put together by a single artist. What is most impressive about this compilation, aside from its nice packaging, is the fact that it sounds surprisingly fresh and new, which is a major accomplishment given that so much of the "new" EBM and IDM being put out are bland and uninspired throwbacks to :Wumpscut: and Leaether Strip circa 1998. Instead, the contributions on this compilation infuse these two dying genres with hints of classical, musique concrete, and electro jazz, which is why the young Tympanik Audio has been able to build a reputation as a leader of innovative electronic music. In sum, if you are looking for some good instrumental EBM and IDM that thinks outside of the box, then Tympanik Audio’s "Emerging Organisms" compilation is the record for you.

This four-track teaser presents alternate versions of songs from the upcoming 4-CD box set entitled "The Seasons Unfold." The selections on this sample are rich, contemplative pieces that offer a glimpse into Lundvall’s benevolently haunted world. His "ghost ambient" style is only slightly somber and not the least bit frightening. On the contrary, these songs are very mellow and comforting. Whir (Mix #2)’ is a short, lovely instrumental featuring gentle piano riffs dancing within a slowly swirling thicket of fuzzy, cascading tones. The second track is an alternate version of "29," with softly intoned vocals and tolling bells that beautifully augment the slowly unfolding melody. "The Backyard" is slightly more upbeat than the others, with a dirge-like verses sharing time with a repeated musical refrain. Another instrumental, "November’s Fields," closes out this track with a delicately isolationist touch. This sampler is remarkably gripping, considering its brevity (just over 15 minutes), and yet Strange Fortune is literally giving it away – while supplies last, you can request a free copy with any order you place on their website! I’ll be anxiously awaiting the release of the box set.