Llyn Y Cwn – Twll Du (CD Album – Cold Spring Records)
Genre/Influences: Soundscape, dark-ambient & noise.
Background/Info: Ben Powell is hailing from Wales. He started experimenting with music in 1999. Llyn Y Cwn is the Welch name for ‘Lake Of Dogs’, which is a small lake at 715m in the Glyder mountain range of Snowdonia (Wales). Ben Powell has already released a few numbers of self-released productions. “Twll Du” (which means ‘Black Hole’) was originally released in 2018 as digital format and now re-released by Cold Spring on CD.
Content: “Twll Du” feels as an inhibited noisy soundscape where overwhelming sound waves are supporting the space. The work features 7 long during cuts, which have been progressively built up. There are multiple effects, field recordings and bizarre noises running through the work.
+ + + : Ben Powell is inspired by nature and its splendor. The artwork illustrates the place where this album has been inspired from. It has been transposed into an overwhelming production. The sound waves are heavy featuring an interesting and accessible controlled noise element. The sound has something nihilistic, like bringing the image of nature alive, but it also has something desolate. As a human being you just feel like a little particle absorbed by the greatness and silence of nature. I also have to say a word about the great artwork of this digipak format.
– – – : The songs became a bit predictable after a while. The global atmosphere sounds pretty similar during the entire work.
Conclusion: “Twll Du” is a fascinating experience, which according to me belongs to the best work of soundscape experiences.
Best songs: “Twll Du”, “Gribin”, “Y Garn”.
Rate: (7½).
Artist: www.mankymusic.co.uk / www.facebook.com/mankymusic
Label: www.coldspring.co.uk / www.facebook.com/coldspringhq
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