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Band: Xerxes The Dark
Album title: Xenophillis
Release date: 13 October 2015
Label: Kalpamantra
Tracklist:
01. Omnijective Phenomenons
02. Machine Failure
03. Atomic State
04. Black Radiation
05. (sur)Realization
Xerxes The Dark gives us a well-constructed dark ambient album, Xenophillis, which carries us through the events of a malfunction and the following destruction of a nuclear facility. Xerxes The Dark, hailing as the first dark ambient artist from Iran, and a friend of Alphaxone, has been on the dark ambient scene making solid music for years now. However, this album seems like a real step forward for Xerxes The Dark, as it has great production and quite an interesting story to follow throughout Xenophillis. It also hits that happy medium I like to find in dark ambient albums, when there is a lot going on, but it never seems to become irritatingly overwhelming and frantic.
"Omnijective Phenomenons" begins the album as almost a warning. The rythmic droning and distortion seems almost otherworldy, yet it isn't, it is the first warning of our technology backfiring on us. "Machine Failure" takes us further into this industrial complex. We experience the malfunction of a nuclear facility happening all around us. The synth-lines and rumbling drones seem to tell us that this is only the beginning and the problem will soon become much worse. "Atomic State" shifts gears from the first two tracks. Things have gone wrong the effects are becoming apparent. Hollow pulsing drones and choral synths combine elements of horror, sci-fi, and futuristic machinery giving a lull in the madness, a few moments to recollect our thoughts without forgetting the dire state of things. "Black Radiation" takes us further into the aftermath of the nuclear meltdown as shrill frequencies interact with a doom-laden drone. "(sur)Realization" is quite subtle. We stand off in the distance and watch as the radiation envelopes the area, we watch in disbelief, humbled by our blindness and arrogance as humanity.
Xerxes The Dark delivers a fantastic story through his latest dark ambient outing on Kalpamantra. Xenophillis which I take to mean "those who love foreign people or cultures", is quite an interesting title for this album. While I think the story is straightforward, the symbolism of it may not be so easy to understand. Are we looking to the skies for the help of extraterrestrials, or are we looking to our neighboring countries for help in our time of need. How will they respond to us and our dilemma, these seem to be the questions asked by Xerxes The Dark through Xenophillis but as always please make your own interpretations! This album is perfect for anyone who loves futuristic or sci-fi style dark ambient. It is also quite a well crafted album that can easily be enjoyed by almost any dark ambient fan.
Review written by: Michael
Rating: 8/10
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