V/A Visions Of Darkness In Iranian Contemporary Music (DCD Album – Cold Spring Records)
Genre/Influences: Dark-ambient, minimal-electronics, cinematographic, experimental, ritual.
Background/Info: Italian label Unexplained Sounds Group is a small but fascinating releasing original productions if you’re in search of new- and unexplored sonic paths related with dark-ambient, industrial, experimental music and other related genres. I earlier this year discovered this sampler featuring 21 bands from Iran. Cold Spring now re-released the compilation on CD format, which will for sure give a wider exposure to this compilation.
Bands: Xerxes The Dark, Hossein Rangchi, Idft, Alphaxone, Limen, Crows In The Rain ao.
Content: If you’re not familiar with the Iranian underground scene, which is mainly based in the biggest cities of the country, this compilation is an opportunity to discover several unknown bands active in a fascinating underground scene. From pure dark-ambient mixed with mystic elements to obscure cinematographic experiences to pure ambient reverie to more ritual music to minimal electronics carried by a slow tempo, this sampler reveal a real huge diversity in sound and influences.
+ + + : The main strength of this compilation for sure appears to be its diversity. Next to some more familiar and established names such as Alphaxone and Xerxes The Dark, we get a serious amount of ‘new’ names. I discovered the fascinating universe of Limen, the mysticism of Saint Abdullah, the experimental and somewhat noise-inspired Hossein RangChi, the mysterious sound universe of PooYar and the more into ritual-sounding Mehdi Behbudi together with Vahide Sistaani.
This release is exactly what I expect from a compilation, which is discovering new bands!
– – – : Despite of the diversity, this is not the kind of accessible music for a wider audience. You really have to like dark-ambient, experimental music and related genres to enjoy this work. The most famous and/or familiar names aren’t delivering the best cuts.
Conclusion: I’m progressively getting more familiar with Iranian projects dealing with underground electronics and this sampler only confirms the huge number of talented artists active around Tehran.
Best bands: Saint Abdullah, Mehdi Behbudi & Vahide Sistaani, PooYar, Limen, Mehdi Behbudi.
Rate: (7).
Label: www.coldspring.co.uk / www.facebook.com/coldspringhq
Since you’re here …
… we have a small favour to ask. More people are reading Side-Line Magazine than ever but advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news organisations, we haven’t put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as open as we can - and we refuse to add annoying advertising. So you can see why we need to ask for your help.
Side-Line’s independent journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. But we do it because we want to push the artists we like and who are equally fighting to survive.
If everyone who reads our reporting, who likes it, helps fund it, our future would be much more secure. For as little as 5 US$, you can support Side-Line Magazine – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.
The donations are safely powered by Paypal.
