Wordclock – Heralds (CD Album – Cryo Chamber)
Genre/Influences: Minimal dark-ambient, cinematographic.
Background/Info: Pedro Pimentel better known as the operator behind Wordclock has released his third solo-work. It’s not exactly a solo-album properly speaking as he got the help from Amund Ulvestad (cello, electronics), Nuno Craveiro (nyckelharpa) and
George Shmanauri involved with Phonotek (trumpet). Pedro Pimentel collected field recordings recorded during walks through Porto, London and Berlin while recording acoustic instruments as well.
Content: “Heralds” is a styled work, which remains driven by dark-ambient atmospheres, but still with a more intimate approach. That’s an essential aspect of the work, which has been created by the play of acoustic instruments. The cello is quite important, creating a dark and somewhat depressed sensation. The harp brings some enlightenment while the icy trumpet resonates as a warning throughout this mysterious sound universe. Industrial crashes and piano treatments both achieve the composition.
+ + + : I like the dark-ambient projects merging electronics and field recordings together with real acoustic/traditional instruments. Phonotek is one of those bands I especially like for this authentic approach, but that’s exactly what you can experience on “Heralds” as well. It creates a dark reverie, somewhat cinematographic like and accomplished with a perfect balance between electronics and real instruments. The cello and trumpet both are perfect instruments for this kind of experiments.
– – – : Some passages are a little bit monotonous, but globally speaking you don’t hear me complaining. I would have liked to get more input from the acoustic instruments, which would have reinforced the authentic character of the work.
Conclusion: I can’t say that “Heralds” sounds atypical, but it clearly is a somewhat different and original exposure from what dark-ambient music can be. This album has something intimate and definitely artistic.
Best songs: “Beatrice’s Euphoria”, “Bell Ringing II”.
Rate: (7½).
Artist: www.facebook.com/wordclock
Label: www.cryochamberlabel.com / www.facebook.com/CryoChamber
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