Entry 996 - Glasberg vs. Pyre:Numen - Nebelvolk

Style: Dark ambient

Primary Emotions/Themes: Traversing a dark sea at night

Thoughts: I'm usually pretty torn on split releases. Most of the time they leave me a bad taste in my mouth. The music on one side of the split does not match that of the other, or I only ever end up spinning one side because the music is superior.

Fortunately none of that applies to Nebelvolk. The entire album feels like one harmonious composition. Pyre reflects the darkness of the shore at night, while Glasberg feels more like a turbulence of the open sea. 

The music contained in Nebelvolk is subtle, so much so that I often forgot that music was playing when listening to this album casually. After several failed attempts I finally bit the bullet and listened all the way through with no distractions.... and what a wonderful decision that was.

The music that is hidden deep beneath the layers of silence is rewarding to say the least. Both artists excel at the dark ambient art by weaving minimalistic melodies with textures and soundscapes that lend the album a feeling like being at sea. 

Pyre:Numen's side feels more grounded, like someone looking out into a dark sea at night and trying to make out the shapes that are hidden there. It is dark, and requires great concentration to find all of the small details. Be it the echoes of battle or the hint of rushing waves buried deep in the mix, I'm always surprised to find more than I remembered upon repeated listens... even with the minimalistic composition.

Glasberg's side is a bit more overt. After a few moments of silence the music rolls in like waves. The cascade in and out like a turbulent storm, the darkness obscuring everything around us. The deep tones that accompany the melodies remind me of the darkness of the depths in the water and bring about uncertainty if I'm going to make it through the night or not.

Nebelvolk is a wonderful split album that has the rare effect of the artists complimenting each other's style to near perfection. I eagerly listen to one side knowing that the next side will be just as compelling. This with the depth of secrets found in these thirty something minutes of music make this a musical journey well worth embarking on.