Dark Music Review – Lacrimae Mundi
Review Written By Casey Douglass
“I am a bird of sand on the wings of my scars remain from the rain, if you cry over me I'll disappear in your grief.”CYCLIC LAW PRESS: "Active in the mid 90's, Croatia's TeHÔM has been resurrected in the past years by original member Miljenko Rajakovic. Their first 2 albums were released on Twilight Command, side label of Douglas P's NER label. TeHÔM's founding member Siniša Očurščak unfortunately passed away in 1997, victim of a probable war related cancer. 3 years after his passing their 2nd album, and what was thought to be their last, "Theriomorphic Spirits' was finally released. The project was then laid to rest and years later finally revived. A very surreal, obscure and cinematic sounding opus has been created by Miljenko, following closely in the footsteps of previous works but now taking the project to new levels. Yet always in keeping with Siniša's vision and in honor of his memory and spirit."
I must admit that I haven’t come across TeHÔM in my dark
ambient travels, until now that is. TeHÔM, when translated into
English means The Deep or Abyss, so really, that should give you a
nice big hint about the kind of music contained on Lacrimae Mundi.
If you are only comfortable sitting in the shallows while the
leviathans frolic in the deeper spaces, this might not be the album
for you, metaphorically speaking of course. Oh, go on then, it just might
be. On to the tracks!
The Tracks
Perilous Depth – Even
though the track opens with, what to me, sounds like swirls of a
water-like sound, this track does a great job of creating a
soundscape that puts me in mind of an old ruin. Distant thumps are
joined by a voice saying “The Lord is My Shepherd”. Booms are
joined by airy breathing. This track also features a pleasing
tapped-out drum beat and unnerving echoes, along with throat chanting
and other vocalisations. I could imagine this is what it would be
like to be hiding in a labyrinth, trying to evade the Minotaur.
Darkness Cosmogony Of
Myths – Dark rumblings and night-time insect drones joined by an
echoing voice-over talking about darkness and fear. Clanking and
instrumental notes overlay the scene with the impression of great
powers being brought to bear. Seemingly discordant at times but
layered and interesting to listen to.
Abyss – A dark
leisurely beat reverberates in the darkness. It’s soon joined by
the distorted gurgling of what seems like something awakening, some
giant creature taking its first mammoth breaths in the stygian gloom.
Tinkling bells, distorted and fast reverberating, take on the aspect
of insects as a horn-like sound blares, snatches of voices exclaiming
in alarm. Around the midpoint a strong drum beat sets up a rhythm,
joined by didgeridoo-like sound. Maybe the creature is on the move,
hunting once again.
Amorphous Structure –
This track begins with water and snatches of bird-call, along with
chitinous rattling and swelling electronic notes. A soundscape in
which technology and the eldritch seem to meet. There is a voice-over
about every man and every woman being a star. A whistling wind noise
and crash is followed by a melody and resonances, with a drumbeat
joining after.
The World Ended –
Rumbling wind and thunderous waves of sound are a violent start to
this track. Maybe it’s the shock-wave from a massive nuclear
detonation. A voice says: “I’m recording this in case anyone ever
finds it, so you can see, see how the world ended”. A simple deep
melody carries this track, higher notes and distortions joining it at
times. It’s an energetic soundscape, but desolate too. Various
snatches of other vocalisations are joined by other instruments as
the track progresses, nothing staying the same for too long at a
time. Fantastic horn towards the end gives a great, gates of hell
opening vibe too.
Lacrimae Mundi –
Juddery tapping sounds and a long windy exhale open for a voice
talking about the ‘Tears of the World’. An ominous beat starts
and stops, and a roaming drone takes residence in the soundscape. If
there ever was a track that could evoke the sound that might be at
the core of the earth, if it was hollow, heartbroken and angry, this
might be it.
The Magnitude Of
Shaking – Guttural sounds and distorted words echo into a sucking
darkness that seems to contain slithering things and less tangible
threats. Sounds of civilization nestle uneasily amongst the rumbles,
the soundscape merging the mundane with a darker reality in an
interesting and effective way.
Atum – Another windy
start to a track with a gently held note that comes and goes, a
little louder each time, like a prolonged didgeridoo note. Strange
echoes and movements are joined by a more consuming rumbling, static
clicks and resonances adding more layers to the soundscape.
Voices distort and hissing emerges, giving the impression of a humid,
acrid space.
Modality Of Cosmic
Matter – A single beat and a host of voices talking about being
quiet, secrets and light. Thumping beats, hanging electricity swells
and hints of string make this another breathy, multi-toned track that
continues to give the listener new things to listen to.
Thoughts
Lacrimae Mundi is
a brooding dark ambient creation with plenty of ominous beats and
vibrating rumblings. This I like very much. The snippets of voices
also lend the soundscapes a great themic quality, putting the
listener’s mind onto certain avenues that might otherwise have been
ignored if there was no word-based prompting.
I
think my favourite tracks are Perilous Depth and Abyss, as both
feature an audio effect that I am realising I enjoy more and more:
the sounds of what might be a massive titan-like creature breathing
in the darkness. Breathing is often something that can be relaxing to
listen to, but given the dark context found on this, and many other
dark ambient albums, it becomes something darker and more thrilling.
I
enjoyed listening to Lacrimae Mundi and
found it to be an album that sits easily in the background if
working, or comfortably as the sole object of the listener’s focus.
I give it 4/5.
Visit the Lacrimae
Mundi page on Bandcamp at this link for more information. You can take a listen to Abyss below too!
I was given a free
copy of the album to review.
Album Title: Lacrimae
Mundi
Album Artist: TeHÔM
Label: Cyclic Law
Records
Mastering: Frédéric
Arbour
Artwork: Dehn Sora
