Evening of Light » maarten van der vleuten

2011: A Retrospective

admin — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:23:45 +0000

We’re joining in the list fever this year – though not before the year is more or less through – with the favourite 2011 records from Evening of Light HQ. Of course we missed tons of good releases out there, but these at least are things we particularly enjoyed. Thanks to all the artists and labels for sharing their music with us.

First the top 10, in alphabetical order.

The A. Lords – The A. Lords (Rif Mountain) [Our Review]

The LP followup to 2006′s self-titled 3″ is a masterpiece of pastoral, almost ambient, folk. Nicholas Palmer and Michael Tanner‘s blend of many acoustic instruments with field recordings, and quite a few fortuitous guest appearances, makes for a wonderful album that started out as a relaxed summer favourite and turned into a classic for all seasons.

Bass Communion – Cenotaph (Tonefloat)

Steven Wilson‘s drone project hits bullseye with this CD/LP release on tonefloat. The four massive tracks on this album combine ultra-deep drones with pulsating beats in a flawless production. One of the most hypnotic releases of the year!

Burial Hex – Book of Delusions (Brave Mysteries) [Our Review]

Aural insanity is one way to describe the utterly original and uncompromising output of Burial Hex the past few years. It appears the project is ending after this year, but Book of Delusions is one of the testaments to its genius, combining drones, samples, organ, piano, demented screams, and hypnotic beats into an unholy musical mixture.

Momick – Momick (Bladud Flies!) [Our Review]

Richard Moult and Michael Lawrence bring their lysergic piano morphing to a debut full length filled with melancholic melodies and soundscapes, including beautiful guest performances by David Tibet on vocals and Mark Baigent on oboe.

Obsequiae – Suspended in the Brume of Eos (Bindrune) [Our Review]

This duo’s excellent blend of death/black metal and mediaeval musical inspiration makes for an album steeped in energy, solid riffs, and awesome melodies. Our metal tip of the year!

Premonition Factory – The Sense of Time (Longstreet) [Our Review]

A flawless ambient album, and a crown on a long tradition. Sjaak Overgaauw‘s live looping technique is marvellous and the mixture of light and dark, soft and harsh on this album marks the coming of age of a most excellent project. This one just keeps on growing and is not only one of our favourite albums of this year, but one of our favourite albums, period.

Rain Drinkers – Springtide (Reverb Worship)

This project is one of our favourite discoveries of the year, and their blend of organic ambient and cinematic music (for lack of a better description) is consistently excellent. Springtide is their finest work, though, featuring marvellous violin and string work, heavy drones, organ, and tons of atmosphere.

Sand Snowman – The World’s Not Worth It (Tonefloat) [Our Review]

Sand Snowman’s most recent album is another winner, with a particularly excellent mix of progressive folk and rock songs, as well as soundscape-like episodes. Great use of piano, flutes, clarinet, and a guest appearance by Steven Wilson make this an excellent new full-length.

Tenhi – Saivo (Prophecy) [Our Review]

Refined as ever, Tenhi’s latest is easily one of the best albums of the year in the neofolk area. Despite staying true to their own style, they’re still quite a distance ahead of most others in this area and Saivo is as much a pleasure to listen as its predecessor from five years ago.

Maarten van der Vleuten – The Scars Remain (Tonefloat)

Of course we’re quite partial to the Van der Vleuten album we released ourselves in 2010, but this year’s return to vinyl (and to tonefloat) is simply a masterpiece. His original electronic compositions are masterfully fused with influences and themes from martial industrial, but with Maarten’s own critical view on the subject matter.

The following albums, too, are all particularly recommended in their own right as quality releases from 2011:

Alcest – Le Secret (Prophecy) [Our Review]:
Rerecording of Alcest’s excellent shoegaze/black metal debut EP.
Peter Bjärgö – The Architecture of Melancholy (Cyclic Law):
The Arcana frontman presents seven nice darkwave/gothic tracks.
Kate Bush – 50 Words for Snow (Fish People):
Surprising and very fulfilling, Bush’s minimal jazzy piano landscapes delight.
Circulation of Light – LEDNAH : Seven Meditations On G.F. Handel’s Organ Concertos Op. 4 (Brave Mysteries):
Acoustic/ambient reinterpretations of a classical piece.
The Cloisters – Little Winter [Our Review]:
Yule album combining harp and ambient by Michael Tanner and Aine O’Dwyer.
Jon DeRosa – Anchored EP (Silber) [Our Review]:
Four pure and lovely indie pop songs from the man behind Aarktica.
The Doomed Bird of Providence – Will Ever Pray (Front and Follow) [Our Review]:
Original and intense nautical neofolk.
The Driftwood Manor – Shelter EP (Rusted Rail):
Five lovely Irish folk tracks on this bonus EP to The Same Figure, Leaving.
Joonatan Elokuu – Earth, Sky, Moon and Sun EP (Utupuu):
Recorded in Holland, Elokuu presents a wonderful blend of neofolk, ambient, and field recordings.
Higuma – Pacific Fog Dreams (Root Strata) [Our Review]:
Gorgeous guitar and vocal drones.
Andrew King – Deus Ignotus (Epiphany) [Our Review]:
Powerful traditional balladry, with a touch of industrial aesthetics.
Machinist – Of What Once Was (Moving Furniture):
Sophisticated drones from the Netherlands.
Richard Moult – Celestial King for a Year (Second Language) [Our Review]:
Experimental compositions for strings and voice.
Raising Holy Sparks – Beyond the Unnamed Bay (Fort Evil Fruit):
Agitated Radio Pilot’s David Colohan returns with his new project, blending lovely folk tunes and experimental electronics.
Rose Croix – Rose Croix (Brave Mysteries) [Our Review]:
Ethereal and martial industrial meet on this nostalgic cassette mini-album.
Ulver – Wars of the Roses (K-Scope) [Our Review]:
Slightly underwhelming, the Norwegians’ latest is still a quality album, particularly the massive spoken word ending.
Vidna Obmana – 1987-2007 – Chasing the Odyssey (Tonefloat) [Our Review]:
Mostly older material, but this 8LP box of ambient glory is too beautiful not to remind you of.
Vortex – Rockdrill (Cyclic Law):
Ritual and rhythmic ambient goodness from this Golgatha side project.

Cloudscape: Tribute to KinkFM X-Rated

admin — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 22:31:43 +0000

Tribute to KinkFM X-Rated by Evening Of Light on Mixcloud

At midnight between September 30th and October 1st the Dutch alternative radio station Kink FM was shut down after 16 years of dedicated broadcasting. Apart form this being a general loss for the Dutch radio landscape, it is even worse for lovers of music in the styles we usually cover on Evening of Light. For with the end of the station comes the end of the program (and since this year 24 hour channel) Kink X-Rated.

Running since the start of the station, X-Rated was the home for experimental music, industrial, wave, neofolk, ambient, drone, and all sorts of other great music. The program was first presented by Arjen Grolleman, who tragically passed away last year, and Bauke van der Wal. Later, Arjen presented the program together with Bob Rusche, who sold records in Boudisque, formerly the best record store in Amsterdam, and another institution that has passed away.

Now that Kink FM is closing down, due to dubious decisionmaking by the overarching media investment company, it also means an end to these 16 years of X-Rated in which we discovered so much great music, heard lovely interviews and live performances, and were blessed enough to be guests in the studio several times. There is light at the end of the tunnel, and Bob will be able to continue the program X-Rated at a new station, the Concertzender, but there is no doubt that the closing of KinkFM is black moment in Dutch pop history.

The mix we have prepared here is a modest tribute of ours to the music of X-Rated. Music we discovered through the program, music which is typical for the program, or otherwise came to mind. For example, Coil, Current 93, and Sol Invictus were always staple artists in the program, as heroes of the (post-)industrial music world, while Raison d’Être‘s Enthraled by the Wind of Lonelienes was the first album we ever bought in the Boudisque shop. X-Rated also functioned as our introduction to the wonderful music of Maarten van der Vleuten, which eventually led to us releasing one of his later albums. All of the tracks here have an emotional value like that, and we hope we will be able to share it with you, and give an impression of what X-Rated was (partly) about.

An immense thanks to Bob, Arjen (rest in peace!) and everyone at KinkFM for making this possible!

The tracks:

Cloudscape #12: March 2011

admin — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 19:23:16 +0000

Cloudscape #12: March 2011 by Evening Of Light on Mixcloud

time | artist | track | album | year

Review: (tf100) – tf100 (2011)

admin — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 19:43:02 +0000

artist: (tf100)
release: tf100
format: book, 2x 10″ vinyl
year of release: 2011
label: tonefloat
duration: 42:39

To celebrate its 100th anniversary (i.e. 100 releases), Dutch Tonefloat Records organised a festival and created a book chronicling the history of the label. Over the years, the label has come to be known for its unique philosophy and musical style (broadly defined as combinations of psychedelic, ambient, and experimental music in many forms) , and its dedication to the artists and the presentation of the releases. A book is therefore a lovely way to showcase these aspects of the label. And the result is lovely: a hardback with loads of images spread throughout its 108 pages, and something that caters to lovers of both records and books. Two sample pictures can be found here and here.

If that wasn’t enough, of course there is an auditory side to the release as well, in the form of seven tracks spread across two 10″ records, all unique and exclusive collaborations by a number of prolific Tonefloat artists. The first two tracks are taken care of by Sand Snowman, Steven Wilson and Theo Travis as a trio. As one might expect, the result is a nebulous, laid-back mixture of ghostly acoustic and ambient, and even a bit of tango on “Trevail”. “California Falling” is another dreamy song, this time Wilson together with Moonswift, Dirk Serries and Peter van Vliet. The fourth track continues in the same direction, but without Moonswift. Van Vliet then breaks the flow with the funky electronica piece “Through the Eyes of the Duck”. The last two tracks are back into ambient territory again, with Sand Snowman and Wilson pairing up for a long raga-lige piece dedicated to John Fahey, and Serries and Maarten van der Vleuten working together on the excellent “Murmlefish”. Particularly this final and new collaboration really has some chemistry,and is perhaps something to consider expanding towards future projects. Both artists are gifted and subtle composers, and in this rich track, with its hopeful melodic flow and varied instrumentation, this really comes to the fore.

All in all, a worthy piece to celebrate this anniversary, and pretty much essential for anyone who has followed the label, but also worth looking into for the music alone. Like I said, Tonefloat is a label that does not compromise when it comes to selecting its artists, and that shows from what some of them have put together for the occasion.

Reviewed by O.S.

Tracklist:

1. Like Charcoal (9:07)
2. Trevail (1:27)
3. California Falling (4:26)
4. Pale Ghostlike Friend (3:59)
5. Through the Eyes of the Duck (2:46)
6. Song for John Fahey (11:19)
7. Murmlefish (9:35)

New Maarten van der Vleuten 2LP on Tonefloat out Feb. 27th 2011

admin — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 13:14:17 +0000

The latest album by ‘our very own’ Maarten van der Vleuten, entitled The Scars Remain, will be released on tonefloat this month, February 27th. It is a very fine work on 2LP, combining Maarten’s usual intricate ambient synth compositions with some newer elements. On the one hand, we can hear a continuous line from the previous tonefloat LP High Intolerance Towards Low Energies towards The Scars Remain, as well as some general parallels with A True and Faithful Relation…, which we released ourselves last year. New are subtly incorporated elements from martial industrial, as well as the thematic matter of this album, which has an emphasis on war and suffering.

Tracks from this album can be heard on previous and upcoming Evening of Light Cloudscapes, and to really get a taste of what this album has in store for you, check out the official video made by Maarten for “A.XX.VIII.MCLXXXXI”:

View the official tonefloat page for ordering information.

Cloudscape #9: December 2010

admin — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 18:34:32 +0000

Cloudscape #9: December 2010 by Evening Of Light on Mixcloud

Time | Artist | Track | Album | Year

Cloudscape #8: November 2010

admin — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 20:37:14 +0000

Cloudscape #8: November 2010 by Evening Of Light on Mixcloud

time| artist | track | album | year

Cloudscape #5: August 2010

admin — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 08:15:45 +0000

Cloudscape #5: August 2010 by Evening Of Light on Mixcloud

Playlist with starting times in parentheses:

1. (00:00)
novemthree – Ashes
from: From These Ashes (2010)

2. (05:55)
Nihil Project – Weaving Wheat
from: Plough Plays (2006)

3. (10:44)
Twelve Thousand Days – All in the May
from: The Devil in the Grain (2001)

4. (13:12)
Locrian – Between Barrows
from: Territories (2010)

5. (18:58)
Maarten van der Vleuten – Thymatron DG
from: ECT for Piano (2009)

6. (22:14)
The Gray Field Recordings – Stars Fall to Earth
from: Hypnagogia (2005)

7. (25:15)
English Heretic - Don’t Let Them Immanentise the Eschaton
from: 2006 Annual (2006)

8. (26:53)
Von Thronstahl - Sturmzeit [Schachmatt Mix]
from: Conscriptum (2010)

9. (29:55)
Kris Force / Jarboe – Woodsman Wolf
from: The Path (2010)

10. (32:50)
Visions – In the Midst of Infinity
from: Summoning the Void (2010)

11. (42:00)
Children of the Stones – Fog on the Womb Road
from: The Bright Day Is Gone (2006)

12. (48:28)
Duo Noir - Recessional
from: Sintra (2010)

13. (55:28)
Primordial – Hosting of the Sidhe
from: Storm Before Calm (2002)

:EOL02: Maarten van der Vleuten – A True & Faithful Relation of What Passed for Many Years Between Dr. John Dee and Some Spirits

admin — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 12:24:05 +0000

The second Evening of Light release is the new full-length album by Dutch producer Maarten van der Vleuten. Maarten has been active for over two decades as a producer, DJ, and composer of various forms of electronic music, ranging from techno to house, experimental, and ambient. On this latest album, he combines upbeat ritualistic ambient tracks in the vein of his album on Tonefloat records, High Intolerance Towards Low Energies, with calmer compositions, obscure drones and vocal samples. The final result reaches different levels of intensity, from the strong pace of the opening track, to the entrancing drone of “The Lamentation Over The Destruction Of Mortlake”, through the techno-like beats of the penultimate track, and ending with a soothing and reflective piano-based piece. At the center of it all is the massive “The Magus”, a bright and open piece of esoteric ambient.

The album was inspired by the works of John Dee, court consultant to Queen Elizabeth I, and one of the most prominent magi of the Elizabethan Renaissance. The esoteric theme is reflected in the music, as well as the artwork and design, which features original images from Dee’s work, as well as handmade linocuts in 39 different colour schemes of Dee’s Monas Hieroglyphica, handmade by Phil Legard of Xenis Emputae Travelling Band and Larkfall Recordings.

The first edition of the release is limited to 113 handmade copies, featuring artwork and notes on ivory paper, and the general packaging on black paper. Of this edition, 15 copies are part of a special edition (now sold out), entirely on ivory paper, with special lyric sheet and a phial of rose leaves and scented oil.

artist: Maarten van der Vleuten
release: A True & Faithful Relation of What Passed for Many Years Between Dr. John Dee and Some Spirits
layout: Phil Legard
duration: 7 tracks, 77:42
format: CDr
release date: May 1st 2010
catalogue number: :EOL02:
detailed info: discogs.com
availability: Limited edition of 113 unnumbered copies. Still available. See our order page to order this release, or for more info. Also distributed by the following mailorders: Tonefloat Records, Databloem, Drone Records, Norman Records.

Use the player below for a sample preview of this release, containing snippets from 6 of the 7 tracks:

Maarten van der Vleuten – A True & Faithful Relation… by Evening of Light

Video by Maarten van der Vleuten for the track “A Vision: The Garden of Comfort”:

Reviews & Press:

-Played on KinkFM, X-rated
-Played on KX Radio, La Vie en Roose
-Featured on VPRO Radio 6, Cafe Sonore

Links:

Maarten van der Vleuten (Official Site)
Maarten van der Vleuten (MySpace)

Phil Legard / Larkfall

Review: Maarten van der Vleuten – High Intolerance Towards Low Energies (2008)

admin — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:00:35 +0000

artist: Maarten van der Vleuten
release: High Intolerance Towards Low Energies
format: LP
year of release: 2008
label: tonefloat
duration: 37:14

detailed info: discogs.com.

Maarten van der Vleuten has had been a producer and DJ of electronic and dance music for many years, and under various names, altogether making for an impressive CV spanning over twenty years of activity. He now records exclusively under his own name, and this LP on tonefloat is one of his latest works, full of inspiring and evocative droning ambient.

Tons of records in the area of drone and dark ambient get produced each year, and I often find it difficult to pick out the ones which are truly interesting. High Tolerance Towards Low Energies is pleasant exception though, one of those records that shows a true master’s touch already on the first listen, but which continues to amaze me after many more sessions. The music on this album is very layeres, using a plethora of different sounds – melodies, drones, percussion, samples – at all times, but everything is woven together so deftly that it never becomes overcrowded. Instead, it ensures that the album stays interesting and keeps a continuous flow.

The album has a spiritual atmosphere, utilising photography from the Regina Coeli (‘Queen of Heaven‘) church in Vught, also accented by vocal samples which lend a multi-ethnic religious timbre to many of the parts. All this makes explicit what is one of the true strengths of ambient music: the creation of mystical and spiritual sounds through unorthodox musical means.

In this respect, this album is practically perfect. It seems almost too mundane to mention at this point, but the gatefold cover and heavy vinyl make the presentation of this release equally appealing. In short, there’s no excuse for not owning this record if you love obscure and mystical drone and ambient music. Except maybe if you read this too late, and all the 500 copies are sold out, but that’s luckily not the case at the time of writing.

Reviewed by O.S.

Tracklist:

A1. Genade Oord (8:22)
A2. Regina Coeli (9:34)

B1. Rituale Romanum (12:25)
B2. Limbus Infantium (6:53)