a r t i s t : Mathias Grassow
t i t l e : Alchemystery
d a t e : 2012
l a b e l : gterma
g e n r e : Ambient
r l s. d a t e : 2012-04-01
t r a c k s : 4
b i t r a t e : VBR, 44.1kHz, Joint Stereo
s i z e : 210.2MB
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Promising Swedish label Gterma returns with another beauty by German drone
virtuoso, Mathias Grassow. While his first Gterma release "Sky" was
revised and edited old classic from 2000, "Alchemystery" is new double
album composed by Mathias during 2010 and released in February 2012. The
first CD, entitled as "Alchemy Suite Part I: Adrift On A Strange Wind" and
featuring two compositions, unfolds with absolutely serene, nearly 17
minutes long, piece enriched by beautiful sounds of nature like smoothly
flowing water sounds and by alluring interactions of celestial femme and
male choirs. "Veiled Auranauts" is not only a truly magnificent
composition of sublime tranquility, but also nicely displayed atmosphere
through its title. The next long form piece, "Obscured By A Falling
Light", clocks over 42 minutes and enters at the beginning into more
minimal and meditative realms leaded by bells and gongs. After few minutes
the composition sneaks into motionless floating ambience, occasionally
spiced with some noisier, factory-like ingredients. Also mysterious
voice-like and breathing machine-like sounds enter the show and will
ensure the most complete adventurous and immersing experience. This
composition produces tremendous sense of unmeasurable tranquility even if
traversing through several plateaus, from intense dramas through cinematic
vistas to meditative introspections. This masterful composition captures
the pure magnificence of sophisticated dronescaping by Mathias Grassow!!!
The disc two, entitled "Alchemy Suite Part II: Inside The Inner", features
again two tracks and opens with "In A Temple Of Longing", another long
form piece reaching 43 and half minutes. As portrayed by its title, this
composition moves into massively darker, obscure territories spiced by
various sacred choirs, odd voice samples, monumental percussions and all
backed by endlessly spiraling drones presenting Mathias Grassow's sound
alchemy at the most shadowy and enigmatic in search to explore all
mysteries, buried treasures and secrets of Mother Earth. A truly exciting
ambient dronescape for those infinite nocturnal journeys that you just
never want to end. Another masterpiece holding the signature that is only
Mathias Grassow!!! "A Ring Of Standing Stones", clocking to 25 and half
minutes, is by far less colossal and more droning, where quieter ambience
is fused with fragilely tinkling bells. At times it becomes more intense,
but still gracefully drifting into awesome majesty of splendid panoramic
vistas. "Alchemystery" is enormously penetrating!!! The drone king is
sitting on his throne!!! Last but not least, Mathias Grassow's aural
alchemy is accompanied by 16-page booklet featuring gorgeous pictures of
nature by Johan Rehn/Gterma.
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CD 1/2 :
1. Veiled Auranauts 16:48
2. Obscured by a Falling Light 42:21
CD 2/2 :
1. In a Temple of Longing 43:28
2. A Ring of Standing Stones 25:30