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 [...]]]>

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

detailed info: discogs.com

Wyrd Tales is the biggest release of the English Heretic collective thus far, containing not only a full CD, but also a 90-page book with characteristic occult stories and background. As usual, the collective [...]]]> artist: English Heretic
release: Wyrd Tales
format: CD + Book
year of release: 2006
label: Self-released
duration: 70:28

detailed info: discogs.com

Wyrd Tales is the biggest release of the English Heretic collective thus far, containing not only a full CD, but also a 90-page book with characteristic occult stories and background. As usual, the collective is inspired by the ‘occult landscape’ of England, and they venture out to locations that play an important role in occult history or imaginative fiction, and conduct their own musical and spiritual rituals there. And again, this has resulted in a quirky release that is interesting both musically and conceptually.

First, the musical part. “Season of the Witches’ Glove” is an example of what happens when the band dives into folk territory. A relaxing track with bright acoustic guitar chords and synths, as well as the über-English strange vocals. “Pan Satyros” is more in the experimental corner, utilising piano loops, programmed percussion, and the spooky story sample also utilised in “Rime of the Ancient Lamia” from the 2006 Annual (“we listened side ways up – by the star dogged moon…”). “The Digitalis Experience (Side 1)” is one half of an (imaginary?) LP, full of delightfully freaky stuff. It starts of with faint voices, samples and effects, but nearly halfway, it launches into a cool disco-ish beat with vocals, again reminding me of some earlier Death in June material, Nada-era. The final minutes of the track are different again, introducing a banjo melody with spoken word, synth, and effects. All in all quite brilliant. “Theme from the Abraxas Inheritance” returns to the theme of alectromancy, also used in the 2006 Annual. That might be one of the musical weak spots of the album: there is some overlap in material (especially used samples) between these tracks and those on the previous album. You realise that all the more on the final track, which again uses the sample from track two and 2006 Annual. Luckily, there are two excellent tracks in between. “The Menabilly Pathworking” utilises samples from Elgar’s “Cello Concerto (op. 85)” and Vera Lynn, and creates a haunting melancholic atmosphere. “Oh Whistle and I’ll Come to You”, based on the story by M.R. James, is one of the more ritual tracks of the band, featuring many contributions by Xenis Emputae Travelling Band‘s Phil Legard. Some spoken word, shingle running samples, flutes: a great track with a mystic atmosphere, and an excellent interpretation of the story.

The literary part of the release is at least as interesting as the musical part, and the book contains one story (in various forms) for each track on the album. This ranges from a travelogue with ghost story tinges for the first track, to fictional coroner reports and movie scripts. I’m not going to spoil the joy of reading it all by listing everything. Let me just say that the selection of themes and form is varied, and contains many flavours and moods. The bottom line, though, is that it is all occult, mysterious, horrid… – you get the idea.

It’s safe to say that this is a very enjoyable release, and the best thing by the collective yet. If you enjoy a synthesis of experimental music and occult literature, you can not let this one slip! It’s available for a very reasonable price from both English Heretic themselves (see link above) and Larkfall Productions.

Reviewed by O.S.

Tracklist:

1. Season of the Witches’ Glove (6:03)
2. Pan Satyros (6:32)
3. The Digitalis Experience (Side 1) (17:08)
4. Theme From The Abraxas Inheritance (6:33)
5. The Menabilly Pathworking (13:06)
6. Oh Whistle and I’ll Come to You (18:00)
7. The Vampires Are Coming / Minion of the Outer Ones (3:06)

detailed info: discogs.com

The Pneumatic Consort is one of the side projects of Xenis Emputae Travelling Band‘s Phil Legard, and it represents the calm side of his acoustic music, based entirely on wind instruments and vocals. [...]]]> artist: The Pneumatic Consort
release: Grotto Grove and Shrine
format: CD-R
year of release: 2007
label: Larkfall
duration: 55:25

detailed info: discogs.com

The Pneumatic Consort is one of the side projects of Xenis Emputae Travelling Band‘s Phil Legard, and it represents the calm side of his acoustic music, based entirely on wind instruments and vocals. This is the second release after the split with Johann Wlight, and it’s again released on Phil’s own Larkfall label, with the characteristic fitting artwork scheme.

Grotto Grove and Shrine starts with the first two instalments of the “Field Prayer” series, soft serene pieces on flute and recorder, with gentle harmonium backing. Typical of the style of this project, we hear very minimal, slowly developing melodies, that seem more influenced by contemporary classical music and Phil’s own esoteric musical explorations than by folk or more romantic classical music.

Occasionally, changes of style occur on the album, such as in “Astral Bell”, a louder piece consisting of layered bagpipes. A vocal piece like “IAO” (which indeed explores these vowel sounds in repeating melodic patterns) is also a nice variation. “The Projection of Breath” and the title track also deserve mention, where the soft flute sounds are blended with field recordings of thunder and wind – I assume recorded live in the outdoors. It would fit the project and Phil’s style; always searching for the mystical in nature.

There are some downsides to this album as well, though. I think the performance leaves a bit to be desired in some places, perhaps partly due to the improvised nature of the music. The production might have had a bit more punch as well. Like this it’s all quite still in many places, forcing you to crank up the volume to be able to immerse yourself in the sound. All in all, I find the music itself to be a bit less gripping than XETB.

All the same, this is an enjoyable album when you take the time for it, and can appreciate listening to subtly developing unorthodox melodies in an almost ambient setting. Perhaps not the first Larkfall release I’d recommend to anyone, but a nice addition to your collection if you liked the earlier release, and Phil’s unique musical approach in general.

Reviewed by O.S.

Tracklist:

1. Field Prayer I (7:33)
2. Field Prayer II (2:31)
3. Astral Bell (5:03)
4. Hocroel (3:18)
5. The Projection of Breath (5:20)
6. Field Prayer III (2:38)
7. Nameless Stream (4:24)
8. IAO (5:03)
9. Sibyllia (1:24)
10. Grotto Grove and Shrine (11:40)
11. The Liminal Messenger (6:31)