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The Glacial Movements label once more proves true to its name. The second release is a full length album by the label founder's project, Netherworld. Mørketid is an album inspired by the polar winter, the title being the Norwegian name for the period in which the sun never rises. The result, however, doesn't sound as dark as one might expect. Despite the theme (and the conceptual possibilities of the label and as seen on the Cryosphere compilation) this isn't a dark ambient album at all. Many high-frequency sounds and relaxing melodic waves make this release rather bright instead. What does remain, though, is the desolation of the vast arctic fields that inspire this kind of music.
So, as you might expect, this is ambient for those souls who share a longing for that kind of glacial landscapes, as expressed also by artists like Northaunt. And if you are one of those people, this album is definitely worth buying. In general, the sound of the album is crisp and clear, with many sounds and high noises that suggest tingling cold and vast expanses of white. Soft melodic waves fade out now and then, providing a serene backdrop to it all. This doesn't always work well, because they sometimes become too repetitive, as do the voice samples used. There are a couple of times on the album (mainly on the opening track and on "Jøkul") where I wish a new bit was used for variation. Nevertheless, the greater part of the album is very pleasant and soothing. A well placed deep beat sometimes provides some rhythm, as on the title track, which I think is one of the most well-succeeded of the album.
This is not an album that's precisely exciting, let alone unsettling; it's more for relaxation and dreaming, and letting yourself drift off to the landscapes that are described musically. And that it does well. So, this album really represents the glacial side of the label, and not so much the isolationist that is also included in the label description. I didn't find any obscure or oppressive sounds on this album. But, if you're into this specific niche of ambient and love to be taken on arctic trips, this is something you should get.
O.S.
So, as you might expect, this is ambient for those souls who share a longing for that kind of glacial landscapes, as expressed also by artists like Northaunt. And if you are one of those people, this album is definitely worth buying. In general, the sound of the album is crisp and clear, with many sounds and high noises that suggest tingling cold and vast expanses of white. Soft melodic waves fade out now and then, providing a serene backdrop to it all. This doesn't always work well, because they sometimes become too repetitive, as do the voice samples used. There are a couple of times on the album (mainly on the opening track and on "Jøkul") where I wish a new bit was used for variation. Nevertheless, the greater part of the album is very pleasant and soothing. A well placed deep beat sometimes provides some rhythm, as on the title track, which I think is one of the most well-succeeded of the album.
This is not an album that's precisely exciting, let alone unsettling; it's more for relaxation and dreaming, and letting yourself drift off to the landscapes that are described musically. And that it does well. So, this album really represents the glacial side of the label, and not so much the isolationist that is also included in the label description. I didn't find any obscure or oppressive sounds on this album. But, if you're into this specific niche of ambient and love to be taken on arctic trips, this is something you should get.
O.S.