Released in May 2024 and definitely not inspired (I guess so) by the Atlassian collaborative platform, that many colleagues in IT know and use, "Confluence" comes from the well-oiled collaboration between Roman Leykam and Frank Mark and, as some lovers of their outputs can expect, stands out for its intricate instrumental compositions that blend ambient, industrial, and experimental elements. With 13 tracks totaling 67 minutes and 47 seconds, the album employs a wide range of instruments and techniques to create a hypnotic and complex soundscape.

Just to make a quick overview of the first tracks, "Fibrillation of Darkness" opens the album with dark, pulsating tones, utilizing a combination of treated guitars and synthesizers to build an enveloping and mysterious atmosphere. On the following track, aptly titled "Overarching Sense", the use of e-bow guitar and vocal samples creates an ethereal, almost dreamlike effect that gets expanded over relaxed rhythms. Characterized by a blend of synth and fretless guitar, the third track "Unfettered Expression" explores expressive freedom through fluid and dynamic sounds and hypnotic tapping over what sound like synthetic tablas. As suggested by the title "Winter Melds" is a piece that evokes winter landscapes with cold tones and serene atmospheres, thanks to the use of e-guitar and synthesizers as well as distanced frozen chords that could vaguely resemble some digressions by Ozric Tentacles.

The album is a sonic journey that combines moments of tranquility and introspection with more complex and psychedelic passages. Tracks like "Shifts of Light" and "Countless Stars" offer a blend of relaxing rhythms and surreal sounds, while pieces such as "The Disorientation of Not Knowing" and "Abrasions" introduce more dissonant and experimental elements, maintaining an immersive and hypnotic quality.
Recorded and mixed in the studios of Frank Mark and Roman Leykam between 2022 and 2023, and mastered by Frank Meyer, the album represents a high-quality example of independent production. The use of instruments like the e-oud, the midi pipe WX5/VL70-m, and various treated guitars adds a richness of textures and depth to the overall work.

"Confluence" invites the listener to immerse themselves in a world of layered and complex sounds, capable of stimulating both the intellect and the emotions. It is an album best appreciated with repeated listens, revealing new details and nuances with each experience. If you are a lover of old style ambient and exploratory e-guitar driven music, this album definitely deserves a place in your collection.