PARADISE DISOWNED

At least the artwork has been improved from the horrible ZX Spectrum 16k cubic block cover version I bought way back in 1991. But would you believe it - you guys still have to look at the original!

Slabs of darkness in the form of 'Throbbing Gristle' and 'SPK' are prevalent through this first proper recording by Brian Williams who has since gone on to make a big name for himself in soundtracks and computer games.

Back in '84 is where he was at his best - straight off the back of the imploding industrial masters 'SPK' of whom he was a sometime member. I know for a fact that none of these tracks were recorded down any mines. Lustmord were always quite happy to exaggerate the technology and equipment they had at their disposal in those days. I've had personal contact with collaborators who can verify this statement. Nonetheless this is still an excellent album and unlike any of his following endeavours it holds a definite malaise and real uneasiness about it.

What sound like wailing coronets in a cavernous environment are exemplified by exceedingly creepy deep male vocal chanting. All is good and well until 'Terror Against Terror' - where ritualistic one note drumming is employed which basically puts my mind to sleep.

Thankfully things pick up again with the far noisier, less tuneful last two tracks, which are enough to give your granny a heart attack, despite having no guitar, drum or bass. This is solely due to the noise mongering remnants of his former heroes.

Lustmord's Paradise Disowned offers an uncomfortable journey through pioneering dark ambient landscapes. Contrasting somewhat busier soundscapes with more mininalistic pieces in which long expanses of quiet are interrupted by sinister noisy incursions, the overall atmosphere is of being stalked by sinister presences in some cold subterranean labyrinth - which is appropriate enough, given the range of underground recording locations utilised in the creation of the album. Flying in the face of the idea that ambient is necessarily a sterile, studio- bound genre of music, Lustmord works field recordings into the compositions with expert precision, making this album a substantial accomplishment in the field of dark ambient.