TRANSPERSONAL

Released in 2009, by hyper prolific electronic composer/performer Mathias Grassow's "Transpersonal", continues his deep "dark ambient" transition as opposed to earlier works which somehow New-Agy, even then, pointed to less melodic structures and a far more relevant position for sonic environments, even if they turned toward noise, but not like this, many years laters.

Very different from his 1986 "At The Gates Of Dawn" and "Panta Rhei" or his also very new-agy, 1987, "Atman", very different indeed. But then again time, as you know, happens.

Anyway, "Transpersonal", is dark yet human. It builds its slow-paced structures from recognizable elements, very much like Alio Die in this regard, but twists its direction to more obscure environments, which demonic Lustmord opened up shamelessly.

Coming to terms in between, "Transpersonal" is hypnotic as it is nightmarish. Meticously performed, its three, 20+ minutes each, compositions explore minimal and simultaneous sonic layers, multiple layers. Yet perfectly recorded, every single sound is crystal clear, as its long melodic lines stand out as lighthouses among pitch dark and menacing backgrounds .

For "Dark and Bright Ambient" and "Drone" Prog/Electronic followers and adventurous Avant Garde audiophiles.

****4 PA stars.