ANKHITERU

'Ankhiteru' - Senmuth (6/10)

After six years of work with his Senmuth project, multi-instrumentalist and inhumanly prolific composer Valery Av is certainly showing that his craft is improving greatly over time. While alot of his work seems to have lacked polish, structure or depth in the past, works like his 2010 effort 'Ankhiteru' go to prove that Senmuth certainly has the means to create an exotic and engaging piece of work. Although the album falls very deeply within the realm of his ethno- ambient material, the sensible use of melody and uplifting atmosphere make the album a pleasant piece of work, although it still lacks the cohesion and conviction that a really excellent album might have had.

Despite not being an absolutely captivating listen, 'Ankhiteru' shows that Senmuth seems to have perfected the art of translating an ancient culture into music. Here, Senmuth demonstrates his fascination with Indian art and music and focuses the music around it, although there are a few heavier rock music elements thrown in, to give a very fusion-based vibe. However, what works to this album's benefit is that the heavier sections are used in moderation; past albums demonstrated that overuse of crushing guitar distortion in an otherwise ambient album tended to ruin the flow. In 'Ankhiteru,' the sparse guitarwork is used very effectively (usually to emphasize a climax), especially in the album's dynamic closer 'Штормовая Стела.'

While there is definately more of a melodic feel to 'Ankhiteru' than most other ethnic Senmuth records, even more melodic presence could have done even bigger things for the music. When Senmuth wants to write an interesting melody, he can certainly accomplish it; the central theme around 'Восхваление Нила II' goes to show.

This album does not stand above and beyond all of it's peers, but the fact stands that 'Ankhiteru' is a valid and enjoyable listen. And with a man as inspired and devoted to music as Valery Av, time will only see the work of Senmuth improve.

After the more than excellent "Pat Hof Neu Rog Ene Sis" I was hoping to hear something at the same level, but I understand that it's not a thing very easy to repeat. This "Ankhiteru" starts ethnic-ambient as many of the Senmuth's albums of this period but some differences can be caught since from the first track (Praising The Nile II) that ends in fadeout, a very rare thing in Senmuth's production.

He seems to have spent a little more effort on the melodies. "Queen Behan", the track#2, is almost melodic.

Track 3 "Giza Cave System" is on the same line but suffers a bit of the changes in pitch that sometimes appear to be randomic.

"Rostau Osirion Tomb" is like a follow-up to the previous track. Same ethnic percussions, and I really mean "same" with the melody that slightly becomes darker and "less melodic". Sanmuth's discography is full of tracks of this kind. It becomes more interesting and more ambient in the last minute when the percussions shut up and what remains is quite spacey.

A viola sound opens "Dreaming Sebeknefru", but that sound is the only thing that distinguish this track from a lot of similar things produced during the years. It has some strong melodic moments that are vanished by the pitch changes.

on "Iseion" there's finally a bit of guitar. If it has to be ambient, even dark,the Senmuth's acoustic guitar (and similar electronic instruments) give a different depth to the music. This is the most structured and melodic track of the album (that should'nt be called "melodic" at all)

Ambient? is gone with "Tomb Numbers Hafraanha". Very chaotic and industrial it's a return to the origins. The track is totally dominated by the percussions. Not bad but totally different from the rest.

"The Cave of the Birds Kahf El-Hanash" is opened by a mandolin-like sound but this mood lasts only for few seconds, then it's heavy percussions again. With the distorsion kit and some growl it may have been interesting, but with noise&percussions only is a bit boring.

"Stella Storm" starts spacey, instead. There's the mandolin like sound, some heavy drums but the rhythm is more relaxed and some melody is back. Nothing special but not bad. Absolutely an average usual Senmuth track.

So what? this is an average album full of average stuff. It should deserve an average rating, but there's so many of this stuff in Senmuth's discography that makes this album more than non-essential. Useless I'd say.

So 2 stars only even though is not worse than other of his previous 3 stars albums.